4.7.9 "Real Life and Real Living"

"Real Life and Real Living"

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27
Luke 12:8-34
Psalm 78:32-55
Proverbs 12:21-23

"Beware! don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are." (Luke 12:15)

Finances, wealth and possessions can be a touchy subject. Whether or not we would like to admit it, it is one of the highest priorities in the life of an American. Consider advertising. Advertisers wouldn't be focusing on things that don't matter to people. They're targeting what they know people want. They focus on looks and possessions. Even Christian talk radio I like to listen to has many ads that say, "Make money from home... have what you've always wanted..."

Understand that money is not evil. Possessions are not bad things. But to Live the DREAM, we need to have a healthy picture and understanding of what our goal is. Our goal is to be good stewards of what we do have. This is what Active Ministry Involvement is all about. As I've explained before, It would be easy to look at the phrase "Active Ministry Involvement" and compartmentalize that into "church life". That's not what living the DREAM is all about. This should be a practical tool to apply to daily living.

So what is "Real Life and Real Living" in terms of Active Ministry Involvement?

Well let's look first at what it's not:

"A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing - he couldn't get everything in. He thought about his problem, and finally exclaimed, 'I know - i'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones! Then I'll have room enough. And I'll sit back and say to myself, 'Friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Wine, women, and song for you!' But God said to him, 'Fool! Tonight you die. Then who will get it all?'" (vs. 16-19)

How does this apply to our lives? We have to find balance in the stewardship of the resources God has given us. We must find the balance between wasting money foolishly and hoarding it for selfish gain. Establishing a retirement account is great. Establishing it for the purpose of getting rich and making it all about the possessions is not. At the same time, remember that Jesus told the parable of the prodigal son who squandered all his inheritance. That isn't God's plan either.

The principle of Active Ministry Involvement is "Responsibility". Take what you have and put it to work. Remember, we don't have money for the purpose of "getting" more, we have it for the purpose of "giving" more.

Blessing follows obedience. If you are obeying God, you WILL be successful. I know some of you probably cringed with that statement. It's important to know that it doesn't necessarily mean you will be "Rich". That is not the goal. The goal is to allow God to do as much as he can through all that you have.

We get so bent out of shape about financial things. We worry about having enough. "Then turning to his disciples he said, 'Don't worry about whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothes. Look at the ravens - they don't plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right - for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

"'And besides, what's the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't even do such little things as that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?'" (22-26)

It is hard to get a healthy perspective on all of this when when we are surrounded by a culture that is so contrary to this. The message we hear is "If you WANT it, you NEED it." I don't even remember what it's about, but there's a commercial out now that has this huge red line painted on the ground. It says something like, "There's a line we all eventually cross. It's where we move from what we want to what we have." That's the goal of our society. That's the goal of your flesh. It's the goal of my flesh.

That's why it's so important to die to the flesh and live spiritually minded. Jesus said, "Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven." (vs.21)

God WANTS to bless his people! Jesus lays out the mindset we should have. "So don't be afraid, little flock, For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them." (vs.32-34)

Don't you love that line? The purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them! That's awesome! A tag line from a radio show says, "aren't your tired of having more month at the end of your money?" When we are struggling in the area of stewardship, it's like there's a hole in the purse. It runs out so fast!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to teach a prosperity doctrine that is out of balance. What I AM saying is that God HAS A PLAN for the way we deal with ALL of our resources, NOT JUST MONEY. These principles apply to time, talent, and everything at our disposal. Do you have a house big enough for entertaining? Why aren't you hosting a home fellowship group? Do you have the gift of baking cookies? Why don't you make sure you welcome new people to your neighborhood with a fresh plate?

What is at your disposal? We all have an income of some sort, and we all have time and talent. What are we doing with it? Are we "squirreling" it away for selfish gain?

"Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." (vs. 34)

Today God's Word is challenging me to put what he has given me to work for his glory.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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