A few weeks ago, I preached Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, and it has yielded a few conversations about the pitfalls and proper uses of money…
The other morning,
I was talking with a friend of mine about money and what we'd do if, in some
strange circumstance, we suddenly had "riches."
I walked away from
the brief conversation thinking about money, and how the idea of getting rich
quick seems to come up often. People say, "I'd do this" and "I'd
do that," and, typically, as if to dutifully add it in, they say "I'd
give some to _______________" (whatever their favorite thing is ---
church, other ministry, other charity).
Here's what I
know, whatever has our hearts at whatever level of income we have now will have
our hearts at whatever income level we drop to or rise to. IF we tithe (which
means giving 10%) when we make $100 a week, we'll most likely tithe when we
make $100,000 a year, but if we don't tithe as poor people, it's doubtful we'll
ever tithe as rich people.
The same could be
said of giving in lump sums, too.
I've always loved
a several giving principles found in Scripture and two that cross my mind in
light of today's discussion and lingering thoughts are: Proverbs 11:24-25,
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he
should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered." And, also, Luke 6:38,
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use
it will be measured back to you."
If we have dreams
of giving when we become rich, they will only be realized if we are giving of
what we have now. Our giving, not just of treasure, but of time and talent too,
flows out of the condition of our hearts, not out of the condition of our bank
account.
No comments:
Post a Comment