Study from God’s Word… Luke 11: 37 - 13: 17 … Passage for Reflection: Luke 12: 32-34 … NIV [Jesus] 32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
My Journal for Today: Ever hear the phrase, “... He wears his heart on his sleeve,” describing someone who easily and readily displays his emotions by his actions? Sure you have; but when it comes to our use of God’s providence (i.e., our finances), the issue Jesus strongly (and uncomfortably) points out in today’s reading is that we wear our spiritual heart on our sleeves when it comes to what we hold on to and what we do with God’s resources.
When we read Jesus’ exhortation, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,...” does that resonate with our sensibilities? What about if we turn that challenge around and say, “For where our heart is, there your treasure will be also?” >>> OUCH!!!
You know, it’s been said that if you want to know if someone is really a Christian, look at two things: ... his calendar and his bank statement [i.e., checkbook, credit-card statement, and/or online banking statement]. And there is much convicting truth to that, isn’t there? The former shows how we’re using God-given time [and to some degree our talents]; and the latter exhibits how we’re using God’s treasure.
And as I’m reading today’s passages, mostly Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and those who were following Him around the countryside (at the time of the Sermon on the Mount), His words challenge me to look at my own financial decision making, which reflects my heart as a Christian. And I’m at the very least uncomfortable and maybe more accurately convicted to realize that I still hold pretty tightly to MY money. Even calling it “MY money,” if I were to do so (which, in this case I don’t) would tell someone where my heart would be, ... wouldn’t it? Because it’s not MY money, ... is it? It’s God’s - all of it; and ALL should be used for His glory, ... shouldn’t it?
Dr. Smith writes for those of us reading here today: ”How glibly we speak of ‘disposable income,’ the money we have left over after paying out for rent or mortgages, utilities, groceries, and other ‘necessary’ items. What part of that ‘disposable income’ goes to meet the needs of the poor, instead of expensive vacations, big-boy toys, and fashion items?” >>> Again ... ouch!!!
This hurts! But the question will be - at least for me - what am I going to do with this pain of conviction I’m feeling here this morning? Will I change the way I use GOD’S resources (i.e., HIS time, talent, and treasures); or will I continue to wear a self-driven heart on my sleeve for all to see. My choice; isn’t it? ... Yes, my choice!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to find and display YOUR heart by the way I use YOUR bounty. Amen
Showing posts with label sharing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing. Show all posts
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, April 04, 2010
2010 – April 4 – The Difficult Virtue of Sharing
Blogger’s Note: HAPPY EASTER, one and all !!!
Study from God’s Word…1st Samuel 25: 1 – 1st Samuel 27: 7; 1st Chronicles 12: 1 – 7; 1st Samuel 27; 8 – 1st Samuel 29: 22; 1st Samuel 30: 1 - 31 … Passage for Reflection: 1st Samuel 25: 10 - 11 … NIV 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
My Journal for Today: As I was led to study today’s lesson from Dr. Smith, my devotional author from The Daily Bible Devotional, I think I would have missed the truth I needed to glean from today’s Old Testament passage if Dr. Smith had not helped me see it. And here it is.
So often in life we get to the place where we think that we OWN something God has placed in our charge. In this case the man, Nabal, got the idea that he owned the water David and his men were asking to share. And, as it was his human nature, Nabal balked at sharing the natural resources with David and his soldiers, men who had been their enemies in the past.
Have you ever been in a place where you had control of something God had put in your trust, perhaps something you had come to “own,” such as your financial resources; and you were given the opportunity to share those resources with others; but you balked, thinking, in your mind, that the money was yours rather than God’s.
Well, I’ve certainly been in that place; and I’m afraid it’s all too easy to get the idea that the money or physical resources are MINE, rather than me being God’s steward for the Lord to dole out to others as HE sees fit. My friend, so much of what we “have” is really not “ours.” It is God’s; and He alone should be the arbiter of how it is used.
Yes, it’s easy to bring a dish to a potluck when I can imagine that I’m going to get something to eat in return; but how easy is it to share what God has given me, i.e., to be God’s steward when I have no expectation of any return … just the knowledge that someone else is going to benefit from God’s generosity through me. It’s hard to let it go, isn’t it?
Today, I need to do an inventory on my heart; because God’s truth, spoken through Jesus, Himself, has bubbled up in my consciousness, when the Lord said [in Matt. 6: 19-21], 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Oh, I will pray this morning that today’s lesson helps me to remember that what I have, I have from God; and when HE gives me opportunity to share that treasure for those in need, my heart should release what is God’s anyway for His purposes and for His glory.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to see and live that principle that it’s all Yours for You to use as You see fit. Amen
Study from God’s Word…1st Samuel 25: 1 – 1st Samuel 27: 7; 1st Chronicles 12: 1 – 7; 1st Samuel 27; 8 – 1st Samuel 29: 22; 1st Samuel 30: 1 - 31 … Passage for Reflection: 1st Samuel 25: 10 - 11 … NIV 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
My Journal for Today: As I was led to study today’s lesson from Dr. Smith, my devotional author from The Daily Bible Devotional, I think I would have missed the truth I needed to glean from today’s Old Testament passage if Dr. Smith had not helped me see it. And here it is.
So often in life we get to the place where we think that we OWN something God has placed in our charge. In this case the man, Nabal, got the idea that he owned the water David and his men were asking to share. And, as it was his human nature, Nabal balked at sharing the natural resources with David and his soldiers, men who had been their enemies in the past.
Have you ever been in a place where you had control of something God had put in your trust, perhaps something you had come to “own,” such as your financial resources; and you were given the opportunity to share those resources with others; but you balked, thinking, in your mind, that the money was yours rather than God’s.
Well, I’ve certainly been in that place; and I’m afraid it’s all too easy to get the idea that the money or physical resources are MINE, rather than me being God’s steward for the Lord to dole out to others as HE sees fit. My friend, so much of what we “have” is really not “ours.” It is God’s; and He alone should be the arbiter of how it is used.
Yes, it’s easy to bring a dish to a potluck when I can imagine that I’m going to get something to eat in return; but how easy is it to share what God has given me, i.e., to be God’s steward when I have no expectation of any return … just the knowledge that someone else is going to benefit from God’s generosity through me. It’s hard to let it go, isn’t it?
Today, I need to do an inventory on my heart; because God’s truth, spoken through Jesus, Himself, has bubbled up in my consciousness, when the Lord said [in Matt. 6: 19-21], 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Oh, I will pray this morning that today’s lesson helps me to remember that what I have, I have from God; and when HE gives me opportunity to share that treasure for those in need, my heart should release what is God’s anyway for His purposes and for His glory.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to see and live that principle that it’s all Yours for You to use as You see fit. Amen
Monday, February 01, 2010
2010 – Day 32. Feb. 1 – Excessive Generosity
February 1, 2010 … Reading through the Bible in a Year
Blogger’s Note: This year of 2010, I continue in my commitment to read through the Bible in a year, using The Daily Bible by Harvest House Publishers, edited with commentary by F. Legard Smith, along with a companion book, The Daily Bible Commentary, by the same author, from which I’ll be drawing the organization and direction for my journaling.
Recently I had shoulder surgery [left rotator cuff repair] and until today, from that time on January 25th until today, my wife has been typing my handwritten journal notes; and I’m so thankful that she would do so. However, today, I’m typing my journal entry myself again with some care not to extend my shoulder beyond what it should take in doing this. But so far … so good; and I’m thankful to God that in this intervening week He’s shown me that I need not use the excuse of surgery and shoulder pain to back off from having the discipline of my quiet time and journaling my time in God’s word here in this place. And though I’ve been somewhat curtailed from my normal exercise regimen, I also have been able to be accountable here for my 40 Days of Commitment to body stewardship as well. Therefore, entering these data and my thoughts with my own typing, I’m here today to share with those who might read this.
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Study from Exodus 35 - 38; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 36: 4 – 5 … NIV 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."
My Journal for Today: What a delicious dilemma for the leaders of God’s people to be in. God gives a vision for the Tabernacle to be built to Moses and the Priests who had been carrying on the Tent of Meetings outside the gates of the city; and the Lord was very specific – in fact, ultra exacting – with
His instructions; and then Moses passed along the charge of giving to the people, speaking God’s instructions, which (from Exod. 35: 4-5) were these words, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; … [and other materials needed for the Tabernacle construction].”
Have you ever been in a church when a special offering was taken which seemed to be logical based upon the terrible needs of desperate people … like what is happening now in Haiti, following the devastation of the horrible earthquakes there? Or don’t we all remember our hearts being drawn to give following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina or the after the Christmas Eve horror from the Tsunami which ravished the far east? But how about your heart when the Pastor of your Church or the Chairman of your Elder Board came to you, with a vision for a new building project which they reported was a consensus from their hearts as leaders as something God was leading them to do as a project which would extend God’s kingdom and give our Lord great glory? Were you as drawn to give, over an above your tithe and regular offerings, to such a project as you were to relieve the suffering in Haiti, New Orleans, or the far east?
But that’s where the Israelites were when Moses came to them, asking for God to be honored with a church building project. And what a project it was to be! To bring God Himself into the city; and to have a worship place which would glorify His Holy Name. It was to be THE TABERNACLE … the place where all who believed on God’s Name could worship Him with His presence there to reciprocate the worship of His Name. And notice that God didn’t order the people to give. He simply commanded those to give who would be led to give in faith (see Exod. 35: 4-5 above again); and wow, did they give?! As our target passage today indicates, the people gave so much that Moses had to put the brakes on their giving.
It is said that fewer than 5% of so-called Evangelical Christians tithe to their local church, let alone give above the tithe for any project or special call for an offering. Oh, they may give when disaster photos are shown of people dying in Haiti; but when the leaders of the church call for a building project, very few – percentage wise – give to such vision projects. The stats in the church where I’m an Elder are probably like they are in your church with as many as 25% of regular attendees not giving anything to the church – for anything, apparently not understanding God’s word on giving (see Malachi 3: 8-10, Prov. 3: 9-10, or 2nd Cor. 9: 6-7), or just feeling that that the church isn’t a high priority in their financial value system.
But what would happen if the people who call themselves “CHRISTIAN” would give as they did in Exodus, Chapters 35-38? ... Well, the church could take care of the welfare needs of the entire nation, let alone the needs of the church. There would be no more hunger on earth if God’s people gave God’s way. Hospitals would be built which could take ANYONE, at ANYTIME, for ANY NEED. And God’s churches, the places where He is worshipped, would be the most beautiful structures on earth. So, when that plate comes by you this Sunday, ask God if you’re giving the way HE would have you give … with a generous Spirit which reflects His Spirit which dwells in His temple – which, of course, is your body and His church. May we all give as God’s people gave in this segment of His book I have reviewed today.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, may my pocket book reflect a joyful and giving heart, knowing that the way I give to/for Your kingdom reflects how I honor You every day of my life. Amen
Blogger’s Note: This year of 2010, I continue in my commitment to read through the Bible in a year, using The Daily Bible by Harvest House Publishers, edited with commentary by F. Legard Smith, along with a companion book, The Daily Bible Commentary, by the same author, from which I’ll be drawing the organization and direction for my journaling.
Recently I had shoulder surgery [left rotator cuff repair] and until today, from that time on January 25th until today, my wife has been typing my handwritten journal notes; and I’m so thankful that she would do so. However, today, I’m typing my journal entry myself again with some care not to extend my shoulder beyond what it should take in doing this. But so far … so good; and I’m thankful to God that in this intervening week He’s shown me that I need not use the excuse of surgery and shoulder pain to back off from having the discipline of my quiet time and journaling my time in God’s word here in this place. And though I’ve been somewhat curtailed from my normal exercise regimen, I also have been able to be accountable here for my 40 Days of Commitment to body stewardship as well. Therefore, entering these data and my thoughts with my own typing, I’m here today to share with those who might read this.
================
Study from Exodus 35 - 38; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 36: 4 – 5 … NIV 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."
My Journal for Today: What a delicious dilemma for the leaders of God’s people to be in. God gives a vision for the Tabernacle to be built to Moses and the Priests who had been carrying on the Tent of Meetings outside the gates of the city; and the Lord was very specific – in fact, ultra exacting – with
His instructions; and then Moses passed along the charge of giving to the people, speaking God’s instructions, which (from Exod. 35: 4-5) were these words, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; … [and other materials needed for the Tabernacle construction].”
Have you ever been in a church when a special offering was taken which seemed to be logical based upon the terrible needs of desperate people … like what is happening now in Haiti, following the devastation of the horrible earthquakes there? Or don’t we all remember our hearts being drawn to give following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina or the after the Christmas Eve horror from the Tsunami which ravished the far east? But how about your heart when the Pastor of your Church or the Chairman of your Elder Board came to you, with a vision for a new building project which they reported was a consensus from their hearts as leaders as something God was leading them to do as a project which would extend God’s kingdom and give our Lord great glory? Were you as drawn to give, over an above your tithe and regular offerings, to such a project as you were to relieve the suffering in Haiti, New Orleans, or the far east?
But that’s where the Israelites were when Moses came to them, asking for God to be honored with a church building project. And what a project it was to be! To bring God Himself into the city; and to have a worship place which would glorify His Holy Name. It was to be THE TABERNACLE … the place where all who believed on God’s Name could worship Him with His presence there to reciprocate the worship of His Name. And notice that God didn’t order the people to give. He simply commanded those to give who would be led to give in faith (see Exod. 35: 4-5 above again); and wow, did they give?! As our target passage today indicates, the people gave so much that Moses had to put the brakes on their giving.
It is said that fewer than 5% of so-called Evangelical Christians tithe to their local church, let alone give above the tithe for any project or special call for an offering. Oh, they may give when disaster photos are shown of people dying in Haiti; but when the leaders of the church call for a building project, very few – percentage wise – give to such vision projects. The stats in the church where I’m an Elder are probably like they are in your church with as many as 25% of regular attendees not giving anything to the church – for anything, apparently not understanding God’s word on giving (see Malachi 3: 8-10, Prov. 3: 9-10, or 2nd Cor. 9: 6-7), or just feeling that that the church isn’t a high priority in their financial value system.
But what would happen if the people who call themselves “CHRISTIAN” would give as they did in Exodus, Chapters 35-38? ... Well, the church could take care of the welfare needs of the entire nation, let alone the needs of the church. There would be no more hunger on earth if God’s people gave God’s way. Hospitals would be built which could take ANYONE, at ANYTIME, for ANY NEED. And God’s churches, the places where He is worshipped, would be the most beautiful structures on earth. So, when that plate comes by you this Sunday, ask God if you’re giving the way HE would have you give … with a generous Spirit which reflects His Spirit which dwells in His temple – which, of course, is your body and His church. May we all give as God’s people gave in this segment of His book I have reviewed today.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, may my pocket book reflect a joyful and giving heart, knowing that the way I give to/for Your kingdom reflects how I honor You every day of my life. Amen
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