Fear or Faith—Investing in the Kingdom

December 16, 2008

Bible Reading: And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ ~ — Judges 7:2 (NKJV)

Bonus Readings: Matthew 6:30-34; Malachi 3:8-9; Matthew 6:21; 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear. Panic. Insecurity. These are the thoughts that characterize our current American economic climate. Lucky for us, this world is not our home, and our Source is not our own ingenuity. The Lord wants to show His power in our lives—and sometimes that means we take on things that don’t seem to be prudent to our own judgment. That describes Gideon—faced with a military engagement against a superior force—God cut back what was already less than what most commanders would want—just to demonstrate that it was His power that provided—not the work of human hands. That’s where He is with us and what we give to His Church. Our goals need to be His goals. Our ways—His. Consider these words, from Doug Schweitzer in Devotional Ventures.

The World nudges us to set financial goals for every area of our lives: affording our children’s education, reaching a standard of living we desire, and retiring in comfort. Surrounded by successful professionals, we tend to adopt a mindset about net worth that is temporal instead of eternal.

Jesus tells us, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If we invest heavily in company X, we’ll automatically have an added interest in how well it performs in the market. I always believed in the importance of missions, but it wasn’t until I put more of my money there that I developed a greater love and vision for missions. When I took this step of faith, two things happened. First, God provided for me. The Maker of the universe has promised to supply all the needs of those who share from His riches (see Philippians 4:19). And second, I experienced a new level of relationship with God because of the faith I exercised.

I set goals every year in many areas, but none is more rewarding than my tithes and offering goal. It’s a goal that is rewarding on Earth, and it will also be one day in heaven.

Certainly, these are sobering economic times. But, thanks be to God, He can still demonstrate His power in the engagement around us.

Think about it: I shovel out and God shovels in—but God’s shovel is always bigger.~R.G. LeTourneau (inventor)

Contemplative Prayer: Am I investing more in things of heaven or Earth? Are my financial priorities reflective of Faith—or fear? How do my financial records confirm this?

All love in the Beloved,
Chip+

Posted by Father Chip | Filed Under Devotionals