Great Gain (Daily Reflections on 1 Tim. 6:6-10)

I hadn't been out of college too long when I begin to realize that their was a real world out there. I had left home two weeks after graduating from High School and had been on my own basically since that time. But I had still been really protected from the pull of world. I had already discovered that "paid ministry" wasn't all that lucrative as a profession. My first full time ministry paid less than my part time milk route and dock experience at a local dairy where I worked during my college years. My friends who had also recently graduated with business degrees were in starting jobs that paid three to four times what my first ministry job paid. I've noticed that most of those professional jobs still pay about three times ministry.

After leaving my first ministry, I was trying to enroll in a clinical psych program at a major university. While I was waiting to get into the program, I went to work for a retail chain. I quickly moved up the ranks when they discovered that I had a college degree. It wasn't long before I found myself in management. A few short successful months in that position of getting three out of my four assigned departments out of the red, that I was suddenly being groomed for executive training within the company. 

When the top company execs showed up one day to talk with me, I suddenly realized that this was a crucial moment in my life. All my friends that I grew up with were already doing well financially and now I had a chance. Yet, something kept haunting me. It was my call to ministry. I knew if I took the position being offered me, it was off to a different life that would center around me. But my calling was to a life centered around serving others.

The world is constantly beckoning us to chase after it's goods. It flashes it's glitter and shiny things at us, tempting us to grab onto its empty promises. Things, stuff, material possessions are alluring. And to be honest, there is nothing inherently wrong with having wealth. It's the pursuit that's the problem. In this text, 1 Timothy 6, the Apostle Paul talks about how the love of money is the root of all evil. He says it leads to destruction and people to ruin. Chasing after the accumulation of wealth is a trap. And many people have fallen into the trap thinking that this will lead to happiness and end all our problems.

Paul encourages us to pursue godliness and contentment in God if we want to find great gain. All the things in this world that we could accumulate have to stay here on this planet when we die. It's impossible to take stuff with us. It's just stuff and the only place it has value are to people here. But the things of true value, lasting value, lie beyond this place. That's why Jesus tells us to lay up our treasure in heaven where thieves can steal it or things depreciate or decay or can and will be destroyed. 

Why do we kill ourselves trying to get stuff? This consumeristic world we live in seems get more and more rabid. The more stuff we try to consume stuff, the more we get consumed by it. 

I almost fell into the trap. I came close, but I walked away. I knew it wasn't the financial reward that I really wanted. I just wanted my life to be used fully of God to carry out His mission in the world. For some, accepting that job might be exactly what God wanted them to do. God uses people in all positions of life. But I knew for me, I was having to face building my life around me and chasing after material things or giving my life completely over to God and finding my contentment in Him.

God, the allure of the world is very strong, especially in our culture. Get, get, get seems to be the order of the day. Somehow the world convinces us that having stuff gives us personal value. God, I'm still trying to find my contentment and value only in you. I want the great gain that can only be found by pursuing you. Keep me on the path that leads to you.

Daily Reflections on Col. 2:2-3 (The Rate of Exchange)

Let's face it, times are tough these days. The economy is a mess. The stock market has tanked. The housing finance industry is a wreck. Foreclosures are at an all time high. Jobs are disappearing daily. The government is printing bailout money like it's going out of style. Not a lot of security out there right now. I have facetiously joked that my wife's 401k is now officially a 201k.

When things are good we put a lot of faith in getting, achieving, acquiring riches. But ironically, the very things we were pursuing are devouring us. Credit is impossible to get if you have any scar on your record. Everyone's job is insecure. With unemployment at a 25 year high and getting worse, bankruptcy court is going to get a lot busier.

With things so insecure in our world today, many scramble for security in whatever they can find, or should I say whomever they can find. Right after the 2008 Presidential Election, one lady interviewed loudly proclaimed, "No more mortgage payments, no more car payments. Obama is going to take care of us." Um, maybe she misunderstood his platform. Just last week, a lady from my church called me to inform me that she was moving in with her boyfriend because he was going to take care of her. Really?

Unfortunately, the riches of this world are fleeting and unsustainable. Material possessions don't satisfy. As Paul says in Romans, people are exchanging the glory of God for idols. True riches, lasting riches are found in God through Christ. Col. 2 pointedly states wealth comes from the full assurance and knowledge of Jesus. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Why do we choose to worship created things versus the the Creator of things? Why are willing to give up intimacy with God for material things or self gratifying things? Why are we willing to purposely defy God to satisfy our personal wants, needs or perceived security? Why are willing to exchange true wealth, true security, true abundant life for temporary pleasure or a lie? Why are we willing to exchange eternity with God for the something that is doomed for ultimate destruction?

God, I'm placing my hope and trust in you, not stocks and bonds or government or people or material things. You truly have the words of eternal life. Why would I seek anything else but you? I'd rather have you, Lord that all the riches in the world, because they can't compare to the wealth I've found in you.

Daily Reflections on Lk. 12:13-21 (On Being Rich)

I don't consider myself rich by any means. I live in a relatively modest neighborhood. I drive a sixteen year old van and a seven year old car. We don't have the latest gadgets, electronics, or big screen TV. We don't have cable or a dish. We use a lot of coupons for groceries and buy new clothes only when necessary or on special occasions. I don't have a boat or a jet ski or own lots of acreage.

Having said that, compared to many people around the globe, in third world countries and inner cities, I'm well off. I don't worry about where my next meal is coming from or where I'm gonna sleep tonight. Sure, I live paycheck to paycheck, but at least I have a paycheck.

Sometimes I look around and wish I had more. I dream of what it'd be like to be Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. What would it be like to have billions of dollars? I'll probably never know. (Okay, I'll never know.) I guess I'll just have to settle for a few cool million. Right.

Why is it that what we have is never enough? I saw a survey a few years ago that asked the question, "How much money would you need to make to be happy?" Ironically, every income bracket chose the income bracket above what they were currently making.

God has a different definition of what makes for wealth. Rich in God's terms doesn't necessarily equate to the world's terms. To the world, rich is the accumulation of material goods. To God, rich is the generosity of our heart and spirit toward others. It is giving versus getting. Jesus said the two mites given by the poor widow was a bigger gift than the large sums of cash tossed into the Temple coffers by the wealthy man.

Jesus didn't condemn the rich farmer for his material success in this parable. He did, however, point to the fruitlessness of his labor collecting goods only for himself. He didn't condemn the man for having or enjoying his wealth. The criticism came for his selfish hoarding. Jesus points out the futility of amassing great wealth. Eventually, it only ends up in the hands of someone else anyway. How much better it would have been in life, if the rich farmer had been a blessing to others. According to God, I'm rich when I share my resources to the aid and benefit of others.

God, you know I have limited personal financial resources, but I want to be rich toward you. I want to be your vessel whereby you bless others. I open myself to you. Make me rich in your eyes.

Daily Reflections on Phil. 4:14-20 (My Needs)

Seems like I'm always in need of something. I guess maybe I should say I'm always in "want" of something. Most of my basic needs are met on a daily basis. Although many of the things I think I need are probably just wants in disguise or because I've gotten myself in a predicament that have turned my wants into real needs.

V.19 of today's passage is so encouraging. God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches. YE-AH. Sounds good. Here's the list God, now do your stuff. I'm waiting. And oh by the way, here's how I'd like you to do it. I have a need, I rub the genie lamp and out God pops grant my wish.

Actually, that's not quite how it works. Many of God's promises are tied to conditions. For example, to receive salvation, God requires repentance and surrender. In other words, to get eternal life you have to give Him your life. Jesus said if you want to be first, you put yourself last (Mk. 9). If you want to be great, you have to become a servant (Mt.20). If you want to be forgiven, you have to forgive others (Mt. 6). In Lk. 6, Jesus says give and it will be given to you.

The implication in this text is that because the Philippian church eagerly and sacrificially met Paul's needs on a regular basis, God would take care of their needs. Paul met their spiritual needs by giving his life freely to them. Consequently, they fulfilled Paul's financial and personal needs.

It would seem that our willingness to meet other's needs is a prerequisite for God meeting our needs. If I'm a stingy, selfish person, why would God extend His riches to me? If all I do is sit around focusing on me and exacerbate my own needs by poor decisions or willful disobedience, why would God intervene in my life? Maybe the solution to your needs is simply to start giving to others, to be sensitive to the needs of others, to extend yourself to minister to others. You're misinformed if you think God's going to be your personal butler.

God, I've never wanted to be a taker in life. I know that sometimes I do serve myself over others. Use me to be a vessel to care for others. I know that as I open myself up to your service, you'll keep me supplied. I want to be a blessing to others. I want people to be amazed at your glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7-8 (Is God a Genie?)

Is God a genie? We keep Him bottled up until we want something. Then we uncork the bottle, let God out and ask (or demand) God to grant our wish and we wait for Him to work His magic. When we're done with Him, we put Him back in His bottle until the next time we need or want something.

Many people treat God this way. They read a passage like this and think God will give them anything they ask. In fact there are a slew of religious teachers and showmen that proclaim the reason you're poor is that you haven't "named it and claimed it" in Jesus' name. Some expound you'd never have to be sick; proclaiming if you'd have enough faith God would give you instant healing.

As the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God certainly can take care of your financial needs. There's no question that God can and does miraculous healing. And Jesus did say ask Him anything in His name and He would give it to you. However, the genie approach to prayer is not what Jesus had in mind when He said those words.

If you read closely the context of these passages, you'll discover that Jesus is talking about passing on the mantle of fulfilling God's mission and purpose. He's going back to The Father. He's expecting the disciples to pick up the cause and pursue it with all their being, heart, soul, mind and strength. If their passion and purpose is to fulfill God's will and they are relying on God's power to fulfill it, God says ask away. If their desire is to accomplish God's task, with God's power, to God's glory, then go for it.

God, I don't want to treat you like a genie. You don't exist for me. I exist for you. I want to be Your servant. I want to be Your messenger and to accomplish Your purpose for me. I want people to see You, come to know You, experience Your grace and Your victory, to revel in Your glory and majesty, to bask in the light of Your presence, to love You.

Daily Reflections on Mt. 16:24-28

Following Jesus is definitely not the Simple Life. It's not for wimps, cowards or for those who want an easy life. Jesus says to follow Him it starts by denying ourselves, taking up our cross and going wherever He leads. Wherever He leads isn't a stroll in the park.

Denying self is willing to give up our agendas, personal desires, goals to follow His. That's literally the meaning of repentance, to change your thinking to God's way of thinking. Everything about you is surrendered to Him to be use according to His will. That means gifts, talents, resources, abilities, everything. The truth is because God created us and understands our dreams, thoughts, aspirations, ambitions, goals, abilities, etc., He will use those to accomplish His purpose through you.

The kicker is you have to yield those to Him. It's not about asking God to bless your dreams or wants. It's about want what God wants, pursuing what He's blessing. Personal gain in the end will mean nothing unless it is surrendered for Kingdom use.

Recently, because of my dad's failing health, my parents went from a 2 story, 4 bedroom house with a 2 car garaged filled with stuff compiled over the years to a 2 bedroom condo with a one car garage. Tools, toys, keepsakes, stuff had to be disposed of because there was no place for it or use for it. No longer can my dad work in his shop or play a round of golf or even drive a car. At the end of his life he is frail and weak. In the same way he came into this world, he's going out. As a friend of mine once said, "All this stuff is just gonna burn in the end."

Following Jesus is about surrendering. Not always easy, but the payoff is eternal. Someone once said, "Only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for God will last." God, help me to keep my priorities straight and focused on what really matters. I want to be your vessel. Use me today for your purpose.