STORING UP TREASURES
Greetings in the name of Jesus:
Money, and what we do with it has always been a great concern to us as people because for most of us our existence is formed around trading and buying with it everyday. Money becomes for us both a great source of security and an even greater temptation to be drawn away from the things of God.
At one point in my life I was convinced by this world that if I could only have money all of my trials would be over. I was like the majority of people who right now are still praying for their ship to come in somehow, but I can tell you from first hand experience that money does not help you in any quest after God, money only becomes a deterrent which will many time cause us to separate ourselves from God's control of our lives. It is never the money that is the problem, but the love we have of any kind of self satisfaction or independence from authority...especially God's authority.
We may not think about it much , but it is nice to be respected and called sir a few times until you realize that the people are not calling you that out of respect for you, but because you have money. As soon as the money falls away so does the friendship and respect of this world. If we allow this feeling to grow within us many times we will do what ever it takes to maintain that feeling of power and respect we get from others. The point that Jesus was making in Matthew 6: 19-24 about what we view as being real treasure has nothing to do with the riches we think of in relation to this world, but instead the views that we have of life. Our views of what rich is compared to the views of most of the rest of this world is very different because our views of richness revolves around things while for others it is relationships with other people and with God. I believe it is that type of richness that God longs for the most within us, and I think that was the main reason that Jesus said " Those who try to save their lives will loose them, and those who try to give their lives for my sake will save them" Jesus knew that we cannot live for either ourselves or for God when this question remains unanswered in our hearts.
It is very important that we realize that storing up treasures in Heaven is not limited to tithing, but is tied to all acts of obedience to God. We are told today (in so many words) that giving money to God's work is investing in Heaven; but it is really our intention which should be focused on seeking the fullness of God's purposes in all that we do, and not merely the things we do with money.. What we really need is a Spiritual vision; which is to clearly see what God wants to do with uss and to see this world from His point of view. Jesus tells us that we have only one master even though we may live in a very materialistic world where most people serve money, and self. We have this option; to spend our time here chasing around various kinds of paper that signifies wealth and what it can buy, or you can store up treasure through our faith and love for Good in a place that has been promised to be protected by the Father where nothing can damage it or steal it.
The Heavenly values are as different from earthly values as day is from night, and we must begin to understand those differences if we are to be transformed into creatures with new hearts and minds. Are you so worried about your existence here that you cannot find your way to the Father? Think on these things and pray that the Spirit gives you comfort and security. May you richly bless God through your life in Him..
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
Money, and what we do with it has always been a great concern to us as people because for most of us our existence is formed around trading and buying with it everyday. Money becomes for us both a great source of security and an even greater temptation to be drawn away from the things of God.
At one point in my life I was convinced by this world that if I could only have money all of my trials would be over. I was like the majority of people who right now are still praying for their ship to come in somehow, but I can tell you from first hand experience that money does not help you in any quest after God, money only becomes a deterrent which will many time cause us to separate ourselves from God's control of our lives. It is never the money that is the problem, but the love we have of any kind of self satisfaction or independence from authority...especially God's authority.
We may not think about it much , but it is nice to be respected and called sir a few times until you realize that the people are not calling you that out of respect for you, but because you have money. As soon as the money falls away so does the friendship and respect of this world. If we allow this feeling to grow within us many times we will do what ever it takes to maintain that feeling of power and respect we get from others. The point that Jesus was making in Matthew 6: 19-24 about what we view as being real treasure has nothing to do with the riches we think of in relation to this world, but instead the views that we have of life. Our views of what rich is compared to the views of most of the rest of this world is very different because our views of richness revolves around things while for others it is relationships with other people and with God. I believe it is that type of richness that God longs for the most within us, and I think that was the main reason that Jesus said " Those who try to save their lives will loose them, and those who try to give their lives for my sake will save them" Jesus knew that we cannot live for either ourselves or for God when this question remains unanswered in our hearts.It is very important that we realize that storing up treasures in Heaven is not limited to tithing, but is tied to all acts of obedience to God. We are told today (in so many words) that giving money to God's work is investing in Heaven; but it is really our intention which should be focused on seeking the fullness of God's purposes in all that we do, and not merely the things we do with money.. What we really need is a Spiritual vision; which is to clearly see what God wants to do with uss and to see this world from His point of view. Jesus tells us that we have only one master even though we may live in a very materialistic world where most people serve money, and self. We have this option; to spend our time here chasing around various kinds of paper that signifies wealth and what it can buy, or you can store up treasure through our faith and love for Good in a place that has been promised to be protected by the Father where nothing can damage it or steal it.
The Heavenly values are as different from earthly values as day is from night, and we must begin to understand those differences if we are to be transformed into creatures with new hearts and minds. Are you so worried about your existence here that you cannot find your way to the Father? Think on these things and pray that the Spirit gives you comfort and security. May you richly bless God through your life in Him..
THE UNWORTHY SERVANT
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