TWC – The Word Connects: Connecting you to God and to one another … Wednesday 11 Jun 2014
Paul said in the last days people will be lovers of money (2Tim.3:1) – see TWC Daily on “Love of Money”. Sometimes, the love of money may be unintentional or unconscious. For instance, when church leaders decide on whether to proceed with a new project or a new ministry, many times in the past, I have seen church leaders spent time scrutinizing the costs rather than spending time talking and praying about whether this is what the Lord wants us to do. Just take a look at our church leaders’ meetings and you will see this pattern. If we can collectively affirm that this is indeed what the Lord wants us to do, then we need to step out in faith believing that “God’s work done God’s way shall not lack God’s provision” (a quote from Hudson Taylor – missionary to China). But because money was the key focus instead of God’s will, many projects and ministries were not undertaken because of our own ideas of how church money should be spent. Sometimes, these leaders have good intentions and they are thinking about good stewardship, but they forget that good stewardship must always stem from seeking the Lord about His purposes and His work. It is not just about saving, being prudent and being thrifty. We are called to serve God His way, not our way. Another example of how the love of money may be unintentional or unconscious is how we save our money according to our own plans and philosophies. There are many great financial minds who know exactly what they should do with their income every month – how they should save it, invest it and grow it. They put certain principles in place and they stick to it. This is good to some extent – it forces one to save and that is not a bad thing. But when this becomes your rigid pattern of living and spending, you may fall into the trap of not being able to be generous in giving when you need to be. It could even be something as simple as an unplanned meal with friends. I know some who will never offer to pay (on the other hand, I know others who will always go ahead and pay for the meal). They always wait for others to make the move to pay first and then they might make an attempt to pay but will usually gladly accept the generosity of others. And sometimes, we become so used to acting this way we become stingy without realizing it. This is a sign of the love of money. People like that are also usually not ready to give to a cause in church or meet a need amongst friends or strangers. We may not be greedy and lust for other people’s money, but if we guard what God has freely and generously given us too strongly, we may become unintentional or unconscious lovers of money. As you walk with God today, do not let money enslave you. Instead, think about how you can bless others with what God has given you. Have a great day!
Today’s Bible text: “1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2Tim.3:1-5)
Pastor Barnabas Chong
Aldersgate Methodist Church
revbarnz@gmail.com
Today’s recommended video: Refiner’s Fire … Click here for YouTube link
twcdaily.com 