I am praying for you! We are at our halfway point in our 90 days. I hope to encourage you today from “The Treasure Principle” by Randy Alcorn.
In chapter one Randy writes that most of the parables Jesus told are about money and possessions. Jesus spoke more on this topic than his teachings on heaven and hell combined. “Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there’s a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable.”
He goes on to say that this truth hit him years ago on an airplane while reading Luke 3. John the Baptist is teaching to large crowds of people who have gathered to hear him and be baptized. Three different groups of people ask him what they should do to show evidence of their repentance. John gives three answers:
- Everyone should share clothes and food with those who have none (vs. 11)
- Tax collectors shouldn’t pocket extra money. (vs. 13)
- Soldiers should be content with their pay and not extort money. (vs. 14)
Each answer relates to money and possessions. But no one asked John about that! They asked what they should do to demonstrate the fruit of spiritual transformation. So why didn’t John talk about other things?
“Sitting there on the airplane I realized our approach to money and possessions isn’t just important, its central to our spiritual lives.”
Jesus and John the Baptist knew that money and possessions were people’s god. Jesus and John realized that no one could serve God unless they dethroned their money idol.
Thanks you for being a part of this Tithe Challenge. It’s evidence that you are “dethroning the money idol” Thanks for taking the opportunity face the central part of your spirituality: money and possessions. By giving 10% to God you are putting money and possessions in their proper perspective, but more importantly you are putting God where He belongs. Thanks for going beyond the regular religious practices to the heart of the issue, money & possessions. True spirituality and putting God first are becoming a reality for you as you give as God has asked. Way to go!
Until next week, Darrell
Tithe Online at https://upwards.church/give-online
Source: The Treasure Principle, pages 8-10.
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