My Money and Me --- Really?
Jesus asked his disciples a question that has been pondered by people down through the centuries: “What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIrV)
One of the brooding realities of human nature is the continual desire for more. It does not matter who a person is, their cultural and familial background or how old they are – there seems to be a continual drive for more. Put a group of people together and the individuals in the group won’t necessarily want more of the same thing but the individuals in the group will want more of some thing.
People don’t seem satisfied with one of a collection or few pieces of a collection. There seems to be a need to have the whole collection. Nobody can eat just one … Will the whole collection really satisfy anyway? Once I have the whole collection - what comes next? What is the next collection that I’ll need to have? What price am I willing to pay to have the collection?
History records countless people from all times, cultures, socio-economic levels and family backgrounds who have ‘lost their soul’ trying to gain something or someone. Some have lost their soul trying to gain money. Some have lost their soul trying to gain fame, status, pleasure, power, a certain person, position or possession. Some have lost their soul trying to gain acceptance and others trying to gain a continually elusive level of success.
Fortunately many people learn the lesson that nothing is worth the value of their soul before they ‘loose’ their soul. The wrestle with ‘gaining’ vs. ‘losing our soul’ is a wrestle that never ends and has to be continually fought. We never seem to get away from the desire for more. Within a short time of pushing the desire out it seems to creep back in. What ‘gain’ has tempted you? What ‘desire for more’ has been trying to pin you to the mat? What have you gone after at a cost to some of your soul?
Jesus, we need your strength to fight against the perpetual ‘desire for more’ in our life. We recognize that it is there and that it rears its ugly head pretty often. Give us courage, wisdom and strength to continually fight against that desire. Make us into people who know what it means to be content. Amen
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Generosity and Trust
My Money and Me – Really?
One of the duties of a church leader is to encourage, challenge and help people in the family of faith “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Christ. Part of that means teaching stewardship. Stewardship is the practice of managing what we have been given: money, possessions, time, talents, etc. Teaching on giving, tithing and generosity is part of the responsibility of helping ‘Christ followers’ mature. Generosity isn’t spur of the moment, but rather an ongoing commitment to trusting in God.
It is impossible to consider Jesus’ character, priorities, attitudes, outlook, and thought patterns being formed in a person without considering the implication in the areas of money and possessions. Jesus didn’t blink when talking to people about their possessions, money, income, responsibility, generosity and sacrifice. Jesus just talked to the people ‘straight up!’
Nearly 50% of Jesus’ teachings emphasized how people of faith are to honor God with their financial resources and possessions. The fact that almost 50% of Jesus’ teaching was on ‘money’ shows the priority He placed on money, possessions and rightly managing those resources.
Generosity is the value the Scriptures teach and give the most direction on. The Scriptures do talk about saving, loaning, borrowing, repaying, etc.; however, by far the value that the Holy Spirit talks about above all others in the Scripture is the value and the priority of generosity.
Giving isn’t something a person does to help God or even help others. Giving is an exercise God calls people to because money and material possessions are directly connected to the human heart. Giving addresses a person’s need to grow in dependence on Him. Every time a person gives they are, in a very practical way, reengaging in dependence upon God. Writing a check that is given with no tangible ‘payback’ is in essence saying to God: ‘Because I know that you are good, that you are the provider of everything I have and that you will provide for my future needs, I will give. Now I’m waiting to see how you will continue to provide and bless.’
Jesus wants to create in each of person who is on a journey of faith an attitude of generosity and trust that surpasses the generosity and trust of those not walking on a journey of faith. Let me encourage you to open yourself fully and allow Jesus to create new levels of generosity and trust.
Matt
One of the duties of a church leader is to encourage, challenge and help people in the family of faith “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Christ. Part of that means teaching stewardship. Stewardship is the practice of managing what we have been given: money, possessions, time, talents, etc. Teaching on giving, tithing and generosity is part of the responsibility of helping ‘Christ followers’ mature. Generosity isn’t spur of the moment, but rather an ongoing commitment to trusting in God.
It is impossible to consider Jesus’ character, priorities, attitudes, outlook, and thought patterns being formed in a person without considering the implication in the areas of money and possessions. Jesus didn’t blink when talking to people about their possessions, money, income, responsibility, generosity and sacrifice. Jesus just talked to the people ‘straight up!’
Nearly 50% of Jesus’ teachings emphasized how people of faith are to honor God with their financial resources and possessions. The fact that almost 50% of Jesus’ teaching was on ‘money’ shows the priority He placed on money, possessions and rightly managing those resources.
Generosity is the value the Scriptures teach and give the most direction on. The Scriptures do talk about saving, loaning, borrowing, repaying, etc.; however, by far the value that the Holy Spirit talks about above all others in the Scripture is the value and the priority of generosity.
Giving isn’t something a person does to help God or even help others. Giving is an exercise God calls people to because money and material possessions are directly connected to the human heart. Giving addresses a person’s need to grow in dependence on Him. Every time a person gives they are, in a very practical way, reengaging in dependence upon God. Writing a check that is given with no tangible ‘payback’ is in essence saying to God: ‘Because I know that you are good, that you are the provider of everything I have and that you will provide for my future needs, I will give. Now I’m waiting to see how you will continue to provide and bless.’
Jesus wants to create in each of person who is on a journey of faith an attitude of generosity and trust that surpasses the generosity and trust of those not walking on a journey of faith. Let me encourage you to open yourself fully and allow Jesus to create new levels of generosity and trust.
Matt
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother's Day
Here are some sayings that I’ve collected over the years about mothers. I hope that you will laugh a little and that you will be encouraged to appreciate moms more.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. ~ Peter De Vries
The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman
The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. ~ W. R. Wallace
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. ~ George Washington
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." ~ Agatha Christie
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." ~ Albert Einstein
"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacation-less class." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. ~ Peter De Vries
The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman
The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. ~ W. R. Wallace
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. ~ George Washington
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." ~ Agatha Christie
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." ~ Albert Einstein
"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacation-less class." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan
I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln
Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck
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