CONTROL...HOW MUCH SHOULD WE GIVE TO GOD?
Greetings in the name of Jesus our Lord:
Control is probably the single biggest holdout that we have as people when it comes to loving and allowing God to be the Savior that we have claimed He is to us. Much of the problem that we have with giving God the control that He needs to make changes within our lives is due to the fact that we as a country (America) has too much stuff. When we get into the cycle of things and possessions ruling our lives it becomes like another drug addiction to us.
I was watching television the other night and there was a program that was about a young couple buying their first house. Although they were both only in their twenties and just starting careers they had a budget of well over $350,000 to spend on their first house. The house was very pretty, but when it came to the closets they were a modest size, and the girl rejected the house because she had more cloths than the walk in closet could hold. I said to myself " You've got too much stuff". When we look at one of the main problems with having too much stuff there becomes a problem with a sin called covetousness. Luke 12:15-21 " And he said to them; take heed , and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. And he spoke a parable to them saying; The ground of a rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said to himself this will I do...I will pull down my barns, and build greater and there shall I bestow all my fruits and my goods. and I will say to my soul, soul you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat drink and be merry. But God said unto him; you fool this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will these things be which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
The real problem with having too much is the apathy that it causes in our desire to grow and to seek out Christ in us. As we grow in the power of the Spirit we should feel the urge to give God more control over our lives, and be able to trust more in God's promises to us. If we never take a step into an area where we cannot do something without God's help we will never feel His power at work in our lives. Our country , our basic make up as a people has always been to be in control...the whole concept of Capitalism is based upon being best and first at everything. God's Kingdom is designed in such a way that God is first and best in all things and He takes care of His own...but it is God who remains in charge not us. When it really comes down to doing that in our lives many people don't even want that...we want to be the boss. The problem is that we cannot save ourselves. I am a Christian because I have come to realize that if I want peace...happiness...love, and life as it has been given to me through Jesus Christ I must accept God's Lordship and ownership over me. Luke 12:21-31 describes the very creation itself and the care that God has given it as an example of the value that He has placed upon you and me. We need to recognize who we are in comparison to God and then humble ourselves before Him in respect and in love for all that He has not only done for us, but what He does every day of our lives; then out of pure and simple love and respect offer God all that we are for His glory. How much should we give to God? All that we have ...all that we are, and ever will be because it all belongs to Him in the first place. I really pray that you will begin to see that as we continue to study more in this area. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Control is probably the single biggest holdout that we have as people when it comes to loving and allowing God to be the Savior that we have claimed He is to us. Much of the problem that we have with giving God the control that He needs to make changes within our lives is due to the fact that we as a country (America) has too much stuff. When we get into the cycle of things and possessions ruling our lives it becomes like another drug addiction to us.
I was watching television the other night and there was a program that was about a young couple buying their first house. Although they were both only in their twenties and just starting careers they had a budget of well over $350,000 to spend on their first house. The house was very pretty, but when it came to the closets they were a modest size, and the girl rejected the house because she had more cloths than the walk in closet could hold. I said to myself " You've got too much stuff". When we look at one of the main problems with having too much stuff there becomes a problem with a sin called covetousness. Luke 12:15-21 " And he said to them; take heed , and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. And he spoke a parable to them saying; The ground of a rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said to himself this will I do...I will pull down my barns, and build greater and there shall I bestow all my fruits and my goods. and I will say to my soul, soul you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat drink and be merry. But God said unto him; you fool this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will these things be which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
The real problem with having too much is the apathy that it causes in our desire to grow and to seek out Christ in us. As we grow in the power of the Spirit we should feel the urge to give God more control over our lives, and be able to trust more in God's promises to us. If we never take a step into an area where we cannot do something without God's help we will never feel His power at work in our lives. Our country , our basic make up as a people has always been to be in control...the whole concept of Capitalism is based upon being best and first at everything. God's Kingdom is designed in such a way that God is first and best in all things and He takes care of His own...but it is God who remains in charge not us. When it really comes down to doing that in our lives many people don't even want that...we want to be the boss. The problem is that we cannot save ourselves. I am a Christian because I have come to realize that if I want peace...happiness...love, and life as it has been given to me through Jesus Christ I must accept God's Lordship and ownership over me. Luke 12:21-31 describes the very creation itself and the care that God has given it as an example of the value that He has placed upon you and me. We need to recognize who we are in comparison to God and then humble ourselves before Him in respect and in love for all that He has not only done for us, but what He does every day of our lives; then out of pure and simple love and respect offer God all that we are for His glory. How much should we give to God? All that we have ...all that we are, and ever will be because it all belongs to Him in the first place. I really pray that you will begin to see that as we continue to study more in this area. May you richly bless God through your life in Him.
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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