WHAT IS YOUR TREASURE?

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What do you treasure? Make a list. Then open your checkbook. Does your list match up with the money spent? Our checkbook (and credit card statements) will tell us where our heart is because that is what we spend our money on. You have heard the saying, “Put your money where your mouth is.” Are you saying all the right things but your money doesn’t back you up?

Is your treasure: Things? People? Power? Fame? God? Do you know what your heart wants? Do your actions line up with your heart? How do you spend your free or spare time?

If God is your treasure; if winning souls for Christ is your treasure; if reaching the lost is your treasure; then your calendar and checkbook will show it. Do you pray for the unsaved? For the missionaries? For your church? Who or what do you pray for? If a stranger were to watch what you spend your time and money on, would they know that you are a Christian?

Our heart breaks when we see pictures of people that are suffering or being killed for their faith. What do we do with that? Do we turn our backs and go on our merry way to the mall? If our heart was truly broken, we would do something. Maybe make a donation to one of the many causes that will help those people. Maybe we could pray for them . . . earnestly pray, not just a quick prayer and then forget them. Maybe we would send ourselves on a mission trip to bring them the good news. We would do something with our time and our money.

But, you may say, I go to church every Sunday and I even give money to my church. Doesn’t that show where my heart is? Not exactly. What happens on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday . . . what things do you treasure on those days?

When you get up in the morning, determine to notice exactly what your heart desires. At the end of the day, look back on all that things that you noticed. What did you do with your time? What did you spend your money on? Are you able to see what you treasure? Are you okay with what your heart desired? If not, are there changes you can make?

What do you treasure on Sunday morning? Sleep? After a long week of work, sleeping in on Sunday sounds good. Do you sleep in so late that you miss church services? No problem, most churches have their services available online – you could watch it once you get up. But, do you?

What about a devotion time with the Lord? In many cases it means getting up earlier in order to make that time. Do you hit the snooze button and promise to spend time with God later in the day? But, do you?

If we are only focused on ourselves, then that is what we treasure. If we want to do something, we will find a way, the means, and the time to do it. So the question is – What is your treasure? Is it God or something else?

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

NEEDS AND WANTS

Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:8
Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

God knows what we need. He is aware of everything that is going on. He has not forgotten you. Isn’t that a relief? Knowing that someone is taking care of us and we do not have to worry.

There is a caveat to that. We cannot just sit on the couch and wait for stuff to drop from heaven. We need to be active in our faith that God will supply our need.

We get ourselves into trouble when we confuse our needs with our wants. God has promised to supply our needs, not our wants. Do you need steak and lobster for dinner? No. We just need food to eat. Do you need designer clothes? No. We just need clothes to wear.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The intent of our heart is an important part of this. We don’t do things for God just to see what we can get from Him. We do things to put ourselves in line with God’s word. When our heart lines up with His, there is no limit to what God will do.

When the Israelites traveled thru the desert, they had no food or water. All they had brought with them was gone. They were hungry and thirsty. God fed them and He gave them water. He didn’t give them steak and lobster. But they were fed. They had exactly what they needed.
Exodus 15:22-27 (water)
Exodus 16:4-5 (manna)
Exodus 17:5-6 (water)
Exodus 16: 11-14 (quails, manna)

God did supply what they needed. But, they still had to go out every day and collect it. They worked for it and God made it available to them. It didn’t just drop into their lap. Our faith needs to be active, not stagnant.

Are you living within your means? Do you have enough money each month to meet your obligations and provide food, clothing and shelter for your family? If so, then you have what you need and you are living within your means. If not, then you are living a lifestyle that doesn’t fit your means. Are there too many “wants” coming out of your paycheck?

God will supply what we need, not what we want. If we are not satisfied with what we have, we will never be satisfied with more. God will give to us as we are able to receive it. When we trust God with our needs, He will provide.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

IS GOD FRUGAL?

What do you think? Is God frugal? I think He is! Let’s look at John 6:10-13:
Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost”. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

Did you catch it? Jesus had His disciples pick up the leftovers! Our God, who has cattle on a thousand hills, saved the leftovers! Why? Obviously he could make a ton of fish and loaves anytime He wanted to. This story is mentioned in all 4 gospels – Mark 6:41-44, Matthew 14:18-21 and Luke 9:14-17 – which is known as the feeding of the 5000.

The Amplified version of the Bible puts John 6:12 this way: When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, gather up now the fragments (broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted. The NIV says this: When they had all had enough to eat, He said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

Now, I am no Bible scholar, but I think Jesus is making a point here. We need to be good stewards even when the stuff is free.

We never read in the Bible – or at least I haven’t seen it, where Jesus is frivolous – just throwing money around. He could have been – He had the ability. But, He took a coin out of a fish’s mouth to pay His taxes. He could just as easily have gotten a bucket of coins. He only took what was needed – no more, no less. When He multiplied the loaves and the fishes, I wondered why He didn’t make just enough. Why did He allow for leftovers? This is one small verse and yet it is powerful. When it came to blessing the people, Jesus gave them an abundance. When it came to Himself, He only took what was needed. Jesus isn’t cheap with His children. He is not a tightwad. But He is frugal and He shows us that even in times of abundance, we need to be good stewards with ALL that He has given us – even the extras! Don’t waste it just because it didn’t cost you anything. When I make dinner and there are leftovers – enough to eat for lunch – I feel like I’ve just gotten a free lunch. If I throw away the leftovers, I am being wasteful. So, the next time your kids won’t eat leftovers tell them that it is in the Bible!

Now, I am sure that you all have heard it said, that when the Bible mentions something more than once, we should pay attention. I have already mentioned that the feeding of the 5,000 is in all 4 gospels. There is also another story – the feeding of the 4,000. Matthew 15:35-37 says:
So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. Now those who ate were 4,000 men, besides women and children.

This is not the same miracle as the feeding of the 5000, even though many things are similar. This section mentions a different place where they were, a different amount of time that had been spent with Jesus, a different number of people and a different amount of food left over. Plus, Jesus said it was 2 different events in Matthew 16:9-10 which says: Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the 5,000 and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the 4,000 and how many large baskets you took up? This is also recorded in Mark 8:1-9. Jesus performed the same miracle twice – it’s like He knew we wouldn’t get it the first time.

One last scripture and that is Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus. How much is all? Is it some things some of the time or most things most of the time? I think it means ALL things, ALL the time. Being a good steward is a lifestyle, not just a once in a while event. Start today. Choose to be a good steward of all that God has given you.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

GREED

What causes greed? For some people it may be fear. Fear of running out of something. Fear of losing it somehow. Fear of going without. Fear that someone else will have more. Fear there won’t be any more to get.

What does God say about fear? 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Where do you stand on greed? Here are some questions to help figure it out.

1) Can you be bribed? Can someone offer you enough money to do something illegal that you would do it?

2) Do you take a bigger slice of pie leaving the smaller piece for someone else?

3) When you were a child and went out trick or treating with your friends, how did you act when you saw an unsupervised bowl of candy? The sign said “take one”. Did you take one piece? Or did you grab a handful?

4) Walking along the aisles in a grocery store and you see a sign that says “free samples, take one”. What do you do? You are not a child anymore – is your behavior different or the same?

5) Let’s say there is a great sale on a certain product. The price is so good, you just can’t pass it up. Do you buy all of it, leaving none for anyone else?

6) When you go to an “all-you-can-eat” buffet, do you pile your plate high? How many trips will you make to get more – 2, 3, 4? Do you eat until you are so full you can barely move?

7) Do you steam roll thru the crowds on Black Friday to make sure you get the “door buster” item? Did it make you mad when you saw the exact same item on sale for even less later in the year?

8) How do you act during extreme weather events such as hurricanes? Do you run to the store and buy as much water as you can, leaving the shelves empty for others?

How did you do? I think we all can answer yes to at least one of those questions.

We are tempted with greed on a regular basis. Stores tempt us. Manufacturers confront us with sales. “Prices will never be this low again! Buy now!” The greed in us makes us react to those offers. TV commercials play with our greed. They entice us. Seduce us. Make us think we need this item and then we will be better than someone else. It is all a lie.

Even when a store is going out of business, we feel this “need” inside to buy up whatever they have because it is 90% off. Later, we see that we don’t need any of it and we have a yard sale.

Greed can also lead to gluttony. Oh, you wanted to get your money’s worth at the “all-you-can-eat” buffet? If you eat to satisfy hunger and you are full – you have gotten your money’s worth. When you continue eating, you have entered into greed and gluttony. And then you have regrets . . . your tummy hurts and you don’t feel well at all.

Are you consumed with getting more? To the exclusion of all else? Then you are wasting your life and causing problems for yourself. Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

When you are greedy, it runs your life. There is no room for anything else. Relationships suffer and families are broken. At the end of the day, all you will have is your greed and nothing else. Greed is never satisfied. Proverbs 1:19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

Generosity is better than greed. Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

Greed can be stopped. But you will need God’s help. Start with prayer. Focus on God’s Word. He is willing to speak to those who are willing to listen.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

GENEROUS vs STINGY

Proverbs 22:9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Proverbs 22:16
He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Proverbs 31:20
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 22:22-23
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the LORD will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

The Bible has a lot to say about the poor and how they are to be treated. Are you poor? How does it feel to know that God has made provision for you in the Bible? And yet, no matter how poor you may be, there is always someone who has even less than you. How do you feel about those people?

Being poor will mean different things to different people.  Is a homeless person, who lives on the street, poor? Quite possibly he/she is not.  Some people have chosen this way of life. They would rather beg for money and live on the street than do anything that would change their circumstances.  There are many organizations that will help a person get back on their feet.  Job training, food pantry, free medical clinics, etc.  Amazing as it may seem, some people don’t want a job or a home.  They would rather rely on the kindness and generosity of strangers.

How do you help the poor? When you see a homeless person on the street corner with a sign asking for food, what do you do? You may not want to give him/her money because “they will only by alcohol”. Is there something else you can do? What about donating to a local food pantry or soup kitchen or volunteering at a homeless shelter? I know of someone who keeps a “homeless kit” in their car. It is a Ziploc bag with some toiletries and non-perishable snacks. When they see a homeless person, they give it to them. You could also include a tract telling them about Jesus – He is what they actually need!

One afternoon, my husband and I were out running errands. There was a homeless man living under a bridge by the interstate. He was not begging for anything – that was just where he lived. We went and bought him a sandwich and a drink and gave it to him. He had some apples that he couldn’t eat and he gave them to us. A homeless man wanted to bless us! He happened to be a Christian and talked about Jesus and he wanted to make sure that we knew His Savior! We found out that he witnesses to everyone who stops to talk to him and he offers to give them a free Bible. He was giving – not taking! He didn’t complain about his life and he shared what he had. What was his secret? I would have to say it was his faith in Jesus.

Back in biblical times, God had set up a system for the poor. The poor were usually widows and orphans with no family to take care of them.

Deuteronomy 24:19-21
When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.

Even though God has provided for the poor, the poor still need to go and get it. It is not delivered to them. They would still need to work in the fields to get what was left for them. Even Adam and Eve worked in the garden (Genesis 2:15)

Where do you fit in? Are you poor? Is it because of circumstances beyond your control? Do you avail yourself of the services and organizations available to you that can help you get back on your feet? Do you make a cardboard sign and stand on a street corner? Do you take advantage of people to get more? The choice is yours.

The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible. God helps those who call on His name. And God is honored when we bless those who are less fortunate. Choose today to make a difference in someone’s life. Share Jesus with those you come in contact with. Give them the Bread of Life!

Do you know the story of the sheep and the goats? It is in Matthew 25:31-46. Check it out!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

GOOD STEWARD

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

What does it mean to honor God with our possessions? Do we take care of what we have? Do we waste what we are given?

There is a truth that says “if you work for something, you will take care of it.” Think of a teenager when he/she graduates from high school and their parents give them a car. Do you think they will take care of that car the same way that a teen would who worked and saved for many months to buy their own car? Maybe, maybe not. The teen who worked to buy their own car will most likely take good care of it as it would be hard to replace it if they don’t. The other teen may not even think about it – they may feel they will just get another one.

God gives us all that we have. Sometimes it’s a job to work and get a paycheck. Sometimes it’s an unexpected blessing that we didn’t have to work for. Do we treat both the same? Are we more protective and careful of the things we work hard for? Even though God has given us all things and He can give us plenty more, we should not be cavalier with what we have.

God gives to us according to our ability to handle what we are given. If we are not faithful with what we have, He will remove it from us. Do you have plenty? Then much is required. Do you have a little? You still need to be a good steward of it. God sees how we handle what we have been given. And He knows what we will do with future resources.

Are you struggling to pay bills – keep your head “above water”? How did you get to this place? Look back over the way you have handled money. Did you use it wisely? Or were you foolish – buying things that were unnecessary? Most of the time when we have fallen into a money pit, it is because we have caused it ourselves. There are exceptions – employer goes bankrupt, natural disaster destroys your home, etc. But, for most of us, we have caused our own troubles.

Do you truly want to get out of the hole you are in? Then start today! Every time you open your wallet, take a moment to think about what you are buying. Is it really necessary? Could you do with a less expensive version? Take a look at the bills you are paying each month. Do you need the high end cable package? Do you really watch all those channels? There are lots of options today to reduce that expense. Now, that is just one of the bills we pay each month. Take a look at each one and see if there is a less expensive alternative. Decide what are “needs” verses what are “wants”. There is no way our barn can be filled with plenty and our vats overflow if we are throwing money away on unnecessary wants.

Are you worried about what your family and friends will say if you drive a less expensive car, bring your lunch to work or have a “staycation” instead of an expensive vacation? If that is true, then you have identified the problem! It is pride that is causing you to go into debt and stay there.

When we stop pretending that we are something that we are not and use our resources to honor God, we will have a “rich” life. Not “rich” as in lots of money but rich in contentment and enjoying what we have. We all have a lot more than we think we do.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

GOD OWNS IT ALL

Haggai 2:8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10-11 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

Why does it all belong to God? Because He made everything. And I mean every. single. thing. See Genesis chapter 1. God started with creating light (Genesis 1:3). Then He created the land and the bodies of water (Genesis 1:9). Next was vegetation (Genesis 1:11), then fish and sea creatures (Genesis 1:20-22). Next was all the animals (genesis 1:24-25). Lastly, God created man (Genesis 1:26) and woman from whom all peoples would come from.

And what did He do with all that He made? He gave it to the man and woman to take care of. They had dominion over everything. They lacked nothing. They were able to enjoy everything . . . except one tree (Genesis 2:16-17). What’s one tree? They had everything else. Why do we want the one thing we can’t have?

All we have to do is watch babies, toddlers and young children at play. The one toy they want, someone else is playing with. The one who has the toy, won’t give it up. The one who wants the toy, won’t give up trying to get it. Neither one is happy. The one who wants the toy is not content with the toys he has. The one who has the toy is not generous with what he has. And so, we have a stand off until mom or dad takes the toy and then no one has it.

How generous are you? You have heard the saying “he would give the shirt off his back.” The meaning behind this saying is that this person is so generous that he will give whatever he has and go without for himself. An example of that in the Bible is found in Mark 12:41-44. The widow gave what she had – it wasn’t much but it was ALL she had. If you have a million dollars and give away $10,000 – you would still have $990,000. But, if all you have is 2 cents and you give it all, leaving nothing for yourself, then who gave more? The one who gave 2 cents. She gave it all – leaving nothing for herself to live on. The one with a million dollars still has plenty left over – it was not a total sacrifice.

God gave you all that you have and He does not ask you to give it all away. But what are you doing with His resources? Do you give any of it to your church, missionaries, local food bank, etc.? If not, why not?

Bottom line: God doesn’t look at the amount you give – He looks at the heart that is giving it. Do you give willingly or grudgingly or not at all? It does make a difference and it matters to God.

2Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.