God uses money in a variety of ways in the lives of His children. One of the most important ways God uses money is to confirm direction. Simply stated, God uses the supply of money or the lack of it to confirm His direction for many of the decisions we must make in life.
If God gives us clear direction which is confirmed by His Word, then He will provide whatever is needed to carry out that direction. The only problem is that He expects us to step out in faith in obedience to His leading and His Word, usually without knowing in full the pathway that lies ahead.
Living that kind of life requires faith in God's person and His promises. It requires taking God at His Word and basing how we live on His Word. It requires trusting Him, even when circumstances appear to be contrary. It requires seeking first His kingdom, and then being confident that He will provide what we need. It requires as the writer of Hebrews observed, believing that God " . . . exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China who lived in the 19th century, summed it up beautifully this way: "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply." This means that if we are not experiencing God's supply, either we are not doing God's work (that is, we are not seeking first His kingdom) or we are not doing God's work in His way.
Make no mistake about it: God is not a God of disorder. He will not provide specific direction which He confirms by his Word if He does not intend to provide what is necessary for us to obey Him fully. But He looks to us to be willing to trust Him by taking the first step, and then another, and yet another.
By the way, has God been speaking to you lately? Has He confirmed that direction through His Word? If so, remember this: You can be confident that as God works in your life, He will use money or the lack of it to confirm His direction.
Friday, July 27, 2007
From the Pastor
During the month of August, a small group of members are joining me in a book discussion. The book we are reading is called Giving to God by Mark Allan Powell. Dr. Powell asks an interesting set of questions about why we give to God.
Do you write a check to Zion Lutheran because you are worried about meeting the budget? Do you put money in the offering plate because it is a great way to empty your wallet?
I think not. We give because it is a way to offer our thanks to God for all that he has given us. The problem is that lots of us think giving $5 a week or less to God is an adequate way to say thanks.
Giving is an act of worship that is to take us beyond duty to delight. When we enjoy giving our money away, we may come close to an actual love offering. So when the plate comes by in worship remember, like the creed here is another way of saying “I love Jesus.”
My mother taught me a long time ago that the main reason for going to church is not getting my own needs met. The main reason, the most important reason for going to church, is to worship God.
See you at worship,
Pastor Otto
Do you write a check to Zion Lutheran because you are worried about meeting the budget? Do you put money in the offering plate because it is a great way to empty your wallet?
I think not. We give because it is a way to offer our thanks to God for all that he has given us. The problem is that lots of us think giving $5 a week or less to God is an adequate way to say thanks.
Giving is an act of worship that is to take us beyond duty to delight. When we enjoy giving our money away, we may come close to an actual love offering. So when the plate comes by in worship remember, like the creed here is another way of saying “I love Jesus.”
My mother taught me a long time ago that the main reason for going to church is not getting my own needs met. The main reason, the most important reason for going to church, is to worship God.
See you at worship,
Pastor Otto
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)