It all started when our Comm Group leader(whom we a.d.o.r.e. & Easton, well i don't know how to express how he feels, they let him ride the gator.) was talking about this book and actually handed it to us, and suggested we swap it around for the group to read on spare time. He called it a light read (took me weeks to read) As i read the book i could tell they've read it, b/c they practice it themselves. I kept saying Barney & Jo do that, hmm.
Beside Barney & Jo being our comm group leaders, they are such good examples of hospitality. Seriously, they amaze us. They have a small piece of country that is so peaceful, every Thursday(comm group) is like a mini vacay. The boys are there right now doing Daughters of the King. Barney & Jo are an example to us of what believers look like living out the word as they age, quite gracefully, i might add. It's like having spiritual grandparents. I want to be them when i am their age, heck even now.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled broadcast....
I would be lying if i told you i was reading this at first b/c i thought we needed to change the way we few our money. I thought we handled things great, our bills were paid, i knew our money situation, we were doing good. Right around the time i started reading this book, I quit my job. Believe me it came after much prayer and talking with Carlos. I will never forget the day we were talking how even though there is enough money, there is never quite enough to do all we wanted to do. Then Carlos plainly said " I think we don't trust God enough, you may need to step down." "What, how does that make sense" was my reaction with arms flailing, yeah i know, godly huh. geesh. Then we prayed and talked more, weeks later i stepped down form my role in preschool.
This book plainly goes over money and they way we should view it. Rocked my world. I can honestly say i never viewed it this way. This small 6 chapter book, made an impact.
In Chapter one, Buried Treasure, states that 15% of everything Christ said is related to money and possessions. I figure he knew how much we love our stuff. It goes on to say there is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we handle our money. I know, got me thinking too. Am i like the widow in Mark 12:44, who gave everything or the man in Matthew 19:21, who was obsessed with earthly treasures? I'd like to think i was in the middle.
In Matthew 13:44 -The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
This man gave up everything for this treasure, he understood the gain. It cost him everything he owned but it gained him everything that mattered. See the 'in his Joy' part? He wasn't doing it out of drudgery but out of joyful exhilaration. Does the kingdom of God give us exhilaration, or does earthly treasures? Even David in Psalms 113:162 Says "i rejoice in your promises like one who finds great spoils" God's promises should bring us great joy.
Consider what Jesus is saying in Matthew 6:19-21 . "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Why not?? Are earthly treasures bad? No, But because they won't last. Proverbs 23:5 says - "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Sooner or later it will disappear. No exceptions, either it will be lost while we live or when we die. That make me think of Psalms 49:16-17 Think about it, Earths currency will become worthless when Christ returns-or when you die, whichever comes first.
When you store up treasures in heaven, it doesn't reduce the treasures available to others. Actually it is by serving God and others that we store up heavenly treasures. Everyone gains, no one loses. The book goes on to say it's about deferred gratification. Like the man who bought the field, as long as our eyes are on the treasure we can make short-term sacrifices w/ JOY.
The money God entrust to us here on earth is eternal investment capital. Every day is an opportunity to buy up more shares in His Kingdom. You can't take it with you, But you can send it on ahead. And that my friends in the basis of the treasure principle & the conclusion of chapter one. More to come i promise.
