Simply the Title Page

Sometimes the words just don't come.

As I sit here tonight trying to come up with some words to share with you, I find that I'm struggling with the fact that the intensive part of this project is ending in a rather non-climactic way.

(Interesting side note:  The song that woke me up on the first day of this project, woke me up again today.  I'm very curious about what it will be tomorrow on the last day.)

Going into this I had high hopes to raise awareness and make a difference. Even though I'm not seeing the "fruit" of this project, I know that I planted some seeds. I pray that some of them landed in some fertile soil.

As for me, this experience has affected me in many ways.

For example, (and this was completely unexpected) I find that I am disgusted by the waste and excess in our culture. I am particularly offended by shameless boasting about that abundance. There are so many unmet needs out there in the world.

How do we reconcile that in our own minds? I can't.  How will we reconcile that with God? Well, God, I just really, really wanted that $75,000 car and $500,000 house...and knew you would understand that my wants should come before the needs of others.

Really? Will He?

Take a look at Matthew 19:16-26:

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?”Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”  (Here Jesus is pointing out to the young man that he doesn't even understand what "good" is! The whole Old Testament proved to us that nobody can be "good" enough.  We are all sinners...even the very best of us fall way short.)

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied,“‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” (Ha! This young man thinks pretty highly of himself!)

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  (Oof!)

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Notice that Jesus points out that it is impossible for a rich man to save himself...however, he also makes it clear that "with God all things are possible".  Yes, all Christians have been blessed by the gift of grace...even the rich ones.

However, if you have treasure here, it will still be right here when you are gone. But, if you give it away now, you will have treasure in heaven.

As Christians, shouldn't we be blessing others with our gifts?

Yes. Sacrificially.

Our time here is short...simply the title page of the book. All of your treasure is worthless as of page 2 if you don't use what was entrusted to you to help others.

Toys or Treasures

My energy level today was low.  I didn't get much accomplished...at all.

I'm reading a really good book right now called The Treasure Principal by Randy Alcorn.  (It was a free gift from my visit to Freedom Church in Tennessee.)

Giving and living simply are so counter-cultural, yet that is what we are called to do.  For many, this (like the Sabbath) has been spoiled by our legalistic nature.  We want to ask questions like:  How much am I required to give?  Who do I have to give it to?  Is a tithe (tenth) based on my gross income or net income?  If I give a tithe, does this all have to go to my church?  If I want to give to other causes, does this need to be over and above my tithe?

My answer:  Quit worrying about following the rules and just give!  God didn't intend for this to be a burden, but a joy.

You've seen the bumper sticker.

 

Hmmm...

Check out these quotes that Alcorn pulled from some people you may know:

"The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone.  There is no pleasure in it."  --W.H. Vanderbilt
"I am the most miserable man on earth."  --John Jacob Astor
"I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness."  --John D. Rockefeller
"Millionaires seldom smile."  --Andrew Carnegie
"I was happier when doing a mechanic's job."  --Henry Ford

Actually, the Bible tells us that instead of storing up riches (that includes toys) here, we should be storing up treasures in heaven. 

Well, how in the world do we store up those kinds of treasures?  Invest your time, energy, and (yes) money in things that will last and things that will make difference in the lives of others.  Giving!

He explains it like this...

Your life is a dot.  It's just a small moment of time.  Yet, so many put everything into that one little dot.

But your eternal life just starts with that dot.

Everything you have (EVERYTHING) will be gone away.  Either it will leave you when it deteriorates, is ingested, rots, or rusts away...or you will leave it.  You can't take it with you.

But you can send your treasures on ahead of you to be stored up for your arrival.

What will those treasures be?  I cannot fathom what heaven will be like but I would hazard a guess that our treasures here cannot compare to the fabulous treasures there.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  --Words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21