Jesus says in the sermon on the mount, "do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust can not destroy. For where you treasure is - there your heart is as well." The heart of course is the issue.
Tithing is the easiest thing in the world when we know that its all God's money. A friend recently shared with me how it is so much easier to give away someone else's money. When you know you simply are a manager of all you have - that God has entrusted you. Its pretty easy to give away.
This man didn't see that fact that all he had - had been given to him. The Father gives to us richly to discover our heart. Our money is a test. Like God tested Abraham in Genesis 22:1 and Hezekiah in II Chronicles 32:31 so God test us. "But when the envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart."
Obviously this rich man didn't pass the test. Self was his idol and eternity wasn't on his mind!
questions
1) How many of your non-church friends might read this story and not even see what the big deal is?
2) What do you think about the idea of God "testing you?"
3) Look up and read Proverbs 10:16. How is the income of the wicked his punishment?
prayer
Father we know every good and perfect gift comes from you. We want to invest our life and wealth well while on earth. Teach us to give. Teach us to share. Teach us your generous father's heart. You have so many children in need and so much work you want to do. Please let us remember we're simply stewards of all we have!
No comments:
Post a Comment