In verses 14-30, it talks about investment. Wise investment vs foolish investment. I know this isn't a literal story about the investment of money. But, it brought to mind something I've been working really hard to do lately. There are about a thousand money decisions that need to be made, in a week, in the life an adult american. I always try to make sure I'm not doing something willy-nilly with our money. I know.....kudos, right? But, lately I've been really focussed on asking God for his advice on money and its usage. I'm talking about everything from spending on a new fence to putting a little extra in the offering plate for the "year end gift".
This might not sound like a new idea. But, for me I've been looking at it differenty. I'm not trying to think about how I think God would want me to use our money......I'm actually waiting for an answer. Its been a fun experiment. Sometimes God has told me to over-extend myself, and to trust him. And you know what, its worked out everytime. Its weird how that works, isn't it? Other times, it becomes apparent the reason I want something has nothing to do with the furthering of his kingdom.
To me, asking a question and not really listening for answer is vastly different than asking a question and expecting a response.
Its been a good lesson in my prayer life.
tp
I think that is the beauty of the bible, this same passage can teach about money and other resources all rolled into one lesson. I am encouraged by your listening and getting answers. Sometimes I don't think I listen very well, we have some money in an account we ear marked separate from our tithe to give away but generally it just sits there and then each year we add to it or I do give to something but not truly from what I would call listening and getting an explicit instruction.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I'm working on, the other morning I was praying for healing of some sick people at church and suddenly a name popped in my head of a good friend who use to go to our church but has since switched churches. i haven't talked to him in a couple years and probably only a few times since we move to the Quad Cities. So I thought this is not my thought this is God putting his name on my heart. I sent him an e-mail that morning and he responded with pleasant surprise to my message, he didn't say that he had any need but I still feel for some reason God wanted me to reach out to him...maybe there will be more coming to this story.
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
side note this verse hit me today, how painful that day will be for those on his left.
knut