Last week I finished the book Radical. If I haven’t said this yet, I would 100% recommend every Christian read this book. Dr. Platt emphasizes the challenge we have from Christ to live “radically” in his name, casting off the world and taking on him as what we live for. Shameless plug = over.
As I had my quiet time this morning I finished up reading through Ephesians and moved on to 1 John. It had been awhile since I had read from 1 John so what I reading was refreshing and rejuvenating, for sure. It further convicted me, however, about what I do with the gifts God has given me.
My wife and I went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class back in our first year of marriage. We went in to the class thinking we were probably in an average amount of debt, but wanted to work towards getting out from under that burden so we would be free from debt when we left for the mission field. The class completely changed the way we budgeted and managed our finances and through the Biblical principles taught in the class, and the provisions of God, we managed to pay off all of our debt. But that is not the point I am getting at, I say all that because part of the budgeting system that Dave Ramsey lays out includes a certain amount of “personal money” each person gets a month to spend on whatever they choose. The number can vary depending on your income level, but it is something that, if you’re married, your spouse can have no say over what you do with it...it is YOUR money. Most of what I have spent my personal money on could be summed up in two different categories: Starbucks and Diet Coke. I wish I was joking, but probably 75%-80% of MY money goes to satisfy my caffeine problem. Over the past few months, though, I have been convicted about my view on this money. As you see from the previous sentences I viewed this money as if it were MINE and not his. I’m not trying to be cheesy in saying that, but honestly, if we are called to honor God with how we handle the provisions he gives us, where is the honor in Diet Coke and lattes? In his letter, John says:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Wow...that hits like a ton of bricks. After taking a hard look at where my heart was, it was obvious it needed some refocusing.
Money is such a touchy issue, isn’t it? How many of you are cringing reading this? I know I’m cringing over-and-over as I write it. I think that’s why God’s Word spends so much time talking about it. He knew it would be easy for us to create an idol of it. It is truly fascinating, though, what God will do to your heart once you completely give all things over to him. Think of what could be done for the Kingdom if we laid all our money before God as a sacrifice to use as he see’s fit.
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