Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.(Luke 3:11 – ESV)
The Bible has much to say about matters concerning money, possessions, contentment, etc. When talking about tithing (giving a tenth of our income to the local church or for ministry purposes), giving, and stewardship, there is much controversy, but the truth is that we are to be mindful of God more than our things and desires (Matthew 6:19-34).
Often you hear euphemisms, aphorisms, and the like, exhorting us that our possessions not possess us, that we ought to love God more than goods. You have probably heard it said, and I have said it and believed it also, that you should own your stuff, and not let it own you.
However, my understanding of this has grown and I do not end it there anymore. Now I know that I cannot simply say “own stuff, don’t let it own you”, because we do not own stuff, God owns it and He owns us, and He loans it to you. In the light of this truth, the question is not how much do I have to give, but how much am I allowed to keep?
Looking at the New Testament one realizes that giving ten percent is certainly not the standard, nor is it some lofty ideal, it is not, and it would be far below it. Instead of asking how much do I have to give in order to please God, I should be asking how much comfort do I have to surround myself with before I can be content that God loves me?
You don’t own stuff; it is on loan to you. You have control, but what is controlling you?
10 comments:
we are all surrounded by stuff, and you are right, none of it ever belongs to us.
and there are other important things that we are to share as well.
good post.
Thank you, and I agree...if we would look at our bodies as "on loan", we might do the right thing more often...
"..the question is not how much do I have to give, but how much am I allowed to keep?"
You could say it the other way to I think. I remember being at trustee meeting and the trustees were discussing Christmas bonus' for the pastor. Two members said the pastor should have a bonus. I thought, "That's wrong."
I then said, "The pastors should have double honor, and we are blessed with a fine pastor, who we don't deserve. You're hearts should be bursting to give your pastor as much as you can to bless him for his ministering to us, and at Christmas, it is the perfect time to honor him. If we don't have it, then so be it. But be generous as you can."
The Church needs to hear more teachings like this one JD. Thanks.
"..for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." 2 Cor. 8:2
"should have a bonus."
Should read, "should 'not' have a bonus. Why do I not remember not.
Thanks Don, and yeah, I think it was just so unbelievable to you that you still cannot fathom their attitudes...but indeed, this is the case with many in the church, they are not actually walking by the Spirit, and are not the "spiritual people" Paul says they should be (Galatians 5:13-26), helping one another lift the burdens (Galatians 6:1-5), and so giving to the church (Galatians 6:6) seems like something extra they can do if they want to instead of it being selfish if they do not...In other words, the people who are not being spiritual are the ones who have a problem with it...
Instead of asking how much do I have to give in order to please God, I should be asking how much comfort do I have to surround myself with before I can be content that God loves me?
Of course both of these questions have a wrong perspective however they are very perceptive. God's Word teaches us that godliness with contentment is great gain and for the christian the focus should be on pursuing godliness and contentment will follow.
Learning God's character through reading the bible and hearing the preaching of sound doctrine are a great start on the road to holiness. Trying to please God by doing stuff in order to gain contentment leads us astray if that is the motivation. Loving and serving others without consideration for "what's in it for me?" should be our motivation.
Amen & amen Mr. & Mrs EvenSo. Thanks for your faithfulness to Christ, and your care for His Church. Keep up the good work, for there may be quite a strong wave of unrighteousness coming our way to stand against. I read Phil Johnson's blog today, and it really hit me that we are in for a rough spiritual ride.
Great post and comments. It is a challenge for people from all walks of life. Where do I find contentment? How do I get through without coveting all the cool stuff "everybody else" seems to have? But we don't really need all of that.
BTW, my family ate at McD's yesterday, and we are grateful for the Lord's provision.
I agree, Don, we must now, as much and more than ever, learn to stand in the Lord and the power of His might, for the love of many waxes cold...
Right on, Craver, we all need to step back and realize that we are blessed, and that our seeming lack compared to others is paltry compared to others in other parts of the world, we really know nothing of true lack...in any event, even if it does get really bad, and worse, this momentary trial we may be going through is nothing compared to the weight of glory which shall be revealed in us...
Post a Comment