Jim Elliot was a missionary who was murdered by the people he was ministering too. He made a quote that I believe is so important for us today. "HE IS NO FOOL WHO GIVES WHAT HE CANNOT KEEP TO GAIN WHAT HE CANNOT LOSE." Recently I was in a store going through the checkout visiting with the family ahead of me. They had three little children and they bought the youngest boy a hamster. I immediately started up a conversation with the dad about how I raised hamsters when I was a kid. He then ask me questions about caring for these little critters. I was next in line and paid for my item. Received my change and walked out. While sitting in my car I looked at the change I received. It was $20 more then I should have gotten back. WOW! I thought look how God blessed me with $20 extra dollars. No, that's not true. I immediately went back in the store and had to wait in line again and when I got to the cashier I gave her the $20 and said that she gave me back too much change. She looked at me and sheepishly said thank you and I walked out.
As I was walking out the manager waved to me and said thanks a lot. I got back in my car and started to think how many people would of gone back in to return the money. Well, they made the mistake. That $20 was not mine. It belonged to that store.
As I read the Word of God I see a high emphasis on money and possessions. WHY? I believe there is strong connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to separate our faith and finances, but God sees them as inseparable.
Look with me at a passage of Scripture that I believe is a very neglected teaching.
Matthew 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.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
God gives us here the best investment advice. "STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN" Everything I have belongs to Him not me and he wants me to be a good manager. Did that $20 belong to me. NO! Does the money I receive at work or investments belong to me. NO! It all belongs to God, yet what we say we believe and our actual practice too often is not the same.
Our UPS man here in Sunfield is a wonderful Christian brother and I just love talking to him. He said to me church finances are way low at his church and he doesn't understand why. I said well it is probably the economy people are holding back their money . He looked at me and said did not God say give and He would give back to us so much we would not be able to handle it. I told him yes. With a smile he said then I'm going to keep on giving and giving and giving because that's what God wants me to do. He then handed me $25 and he said Reverend this is my lunch money I have for the week, find a good place to give it to the Lord. He walked out. I want to be that kind of Christian that gives and gives and knows God will take care of him. Be a good manager. Be a good giver
Pastor Mark