Money Matters pt. 1
September 21, 2011
For the last number of weeks we have been looking at issues of the heart. When we reached the issue of greed the obvious progression is a discussion on money and giving (the easiest way to combat the heart of greed)
This topic is not much fun for pastors to talk about...but I can guarantee that it is one that should be more often.
In the last week have you thought about money?...Have you argued with someone about money?..Have you worried about money?...Have you complained or thought that you just don't have enough money? Likely you have done one of these in the past week or so.
If your thinking about it why can't the church talk about it?
Matt. 6 tells of Jesus teaching on treasure..."Don't store up for yourselves treasure on earth...but store up treasure in Heaven..."
then He makes this statement...."For where your treasure is there you heart will be also"
You see our money effects our heart....Greed very simply reveals wheter or not our heart is truly in Christ or still self centered.
It is absolutely possible for us to make investments into eternity and for our giving to effect our heart and becasue the heart is the wellspring of life (Prov. 4:23) it will then effect our whole lives.
There is a portion in Jesus teaching where he pauses and announces "If your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light...if your eyes are bad you are full of darkness"
Upon reading this interuption in the teaching on treasures in heaven I had to pause for a while. Why was that in there?
After a bit of study it became crystal clear and actually shed light on the rest of the passage. When it says that our eyes can be either good or bad....the translations for those words have roots in generous - "good;" and envious - "bad". The eye is the lamp of the body and practically speaking what gives us direction and helps us make decisions and adjustments to our path or where to turn.
If our eyes are generous we will inevitably be like Christ in His very neature...who GAVE everything.
If our eyes are envious we will cease to ever find satisfaction in Christ or in our wealth because there will always be something we want or wish for....this will lead to a darkness and despair where greed shows up as only the tip of the iceburg.
So how do westore up treasure in Heaven? How do we ensure that our eyes are "good" or "generous"/ The answer may seem too simple really.....The greeatest commandment is to "Love God with all your HEART, soul, mind and strength, and the second is like it Love your neighbor as yourself". Let your eyes not look for opportunities to hoard or collect and accumulate but look for ways to give to the work of God, and to the well being of others.
A great principal that I have come to appreciate, which makes a great spiritual discipline is make your giving...
Progressive - meaning it grows as you grow. As you see the Lord using your gifts and he strengthens your faith.
Priority - the OT example is to give the firstfruits. Give to God first then use the rest how you see fit.
Percentage - decide ahead of time what you will give and make it your priority to give that first. Then every so often re- evaluate your percentage so your giving is progressive and let the cycle continue.
This discipline will help you to invest in the kingdom of God (things that will last), and will help to change your heart (or eyes from "bad/envious" to "good/generous"
|
