Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
The pattern of this world is much different than the design that our Creator has in place for us. God wants us to be good stewards of the resources that He has blessed us with. We live in a world of overspending, envy, greed, credit, and foreclosure. Somewhere along the line, we have not made the change from worldly thinking to Godly thinking... but what can we change? I truly believe, this morning, that it is having a different perspective on our money.
1) Our money isn't ours. Sure, we earned it but the gifts and abilities that we have in order to do so come from God. Thus, the money that we take home each week is a result of what God allows us to do with what He has given us. We are entrusted with this wealth in order to use it in a way that will bring Glory to God.
2) What we spend our money on is temporary. Every light bill... new car...rent...shirt...meal...flower...or cell phone is only going to be around for a relatively short amount of time. The only thing permanent that you can do with your money is use it for God's Kingdom. Help people find Christ with your resources... tithe, donate, bless others...share the love of Christ with the world.
3) Money itself is temporary - This week, as we've watched the economy slip even further, we've probably wanted to ask...why me? Doesn't God see what's happening here? That's not fair! I had so much and now I have so little... We've got to change the way we think about wealth. True wealth isn't found in a bank....it's found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. The money we carry around, store under a mattress, invest in a fund, or have in a savings account can't go with us when we die. Money goes so quickly....it is temporary...it spends as quickly as we earn it...and we can't control what goes on in the world that may affect our investments.
So what does all of this mean? I believe that we need to change how we look at money. It's been said that money can't buy you happiness. Most of us, however, may secretly feel that if we had more of it, we could at least "rent" happiness. Not true. Money is a gift from God...it is temporary and what we buy will rust and fall apart.... Let's change how we look at our finances...give it to God...and allow the joy to return to our hearts!
Are you in?
Pastor Brian
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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