LifeSpots 2011:
Scripture counsels for Christians on the move …
Written by Ed Gallagher.
Download a PDF copy of LifeSpots 2011
Praying Church
DOA or DNA?
Is the praying of your church DOA? “Dead On Arrival.” What kind of prayers die before they reach Heaven? The Bible names one kind—prayers that demand God’s blessing, but reject his training. These are prayers that refuse to do the hard work of confessing sin; prayers that reinforce religion but don’t reform the life. See Isaiah 59:2 and Micah 3:4 in their contexts. Have you experienced a congregation coming together to confess its sins, crying out for forgiveness and cleansing? This is not a DOA-praying church but a DNApraying church—a church with prayer embedded in its “genes and chromosomes”. For a church like this, all Heaven breaks loose with blessing. See 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Fellowship of Confession
For most of us, the idea that sin should be confessed corporately—that is, among us as believers—is repulsive. Who would show up if we called a prayer meeting to confess our sins out loud? But corporate and public confession was in the heart of the Old Testament church, and it’s clearly described in the New Testament. See James 5:16 and 1 John 1:3–10. Wondering what kind of sins warrant corporate confession? All sins that directly damage the church as “the body of Christ”. Expressions of pride, arrogance, criticism, impatience, division, doubt, crudeness, and judgementalism—here’s a starter list that could keep us on our knees together for a while. The fellowship of confession. It’s tough work. But there’s nothing like it to break down barriers, unite a congregation, and bring revival.
Church Growth Jesusʼ Way
When Jesus—as much on fire as we’ve ever seen him—stormed into the temple to restore its primitive beauty as a house of prayer, his first objective was to get rid of the majority of so-called worshippers. Matthew 21:12–14. The noisy majority left. Then the humble and desperate minority who were excluded by church policy quietly slipped in, and Jesus healed them. This is not how we would grow a church! But it is church growth according to Jesus. It might be time to ask Jesus to take some of our church business and drive it outside, so that primitive wholeness can be found inside. Then we can fulfil the charter given to us by God—to live and act as a refuge of prayer for all people.
The Kneeling Role
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25. This is what makes our efforts worthwhile. It’s what keeps us going. If Christ loved his church, we can love it too. The essence of Christ’s love is servanthood—”giving ourselves up”. On our knees, meeting the needs presented to us. Our highest role is not officiating or preaching or orchestrating. Our highest role is the kneeling role—praying and serving, serving and praying. When prayer stops being mere ritual with which we begin and end our meetings, and instead becomes the full character of our times together, we will see things we’ve never seen before. The kneeling role in our church DNA—let’s stoop to that!
Can We Love?
A New Commandment
We can’t add to the Ten Commandments, but Jesus can. Here’s his unsettling addition: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34, 35. Sadly, people who would never steal, commit adultery, or disregard the Sabbath, break Jesus’ new commandment almost daily. Whispered comments that tear someone down. Phone calls that assign the worst motive to an innocent act. Emails that criticise a leader acting by conscience and best judgement. Let’s follow this classic advice: “Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Some time in life you will have been all of these yourself.”
Testimony for the World
There’s good reason why Jesus said that society would know Christians by their love. The reason is that pure compassion is largely absent from other public contexts. Politics, academia, business, sports, entertainment—despite some worthy goals, we know these by their patterns of criticism, pride, greed, competitiveness, or amorality. The greatest way the church can stand out and testify to the character of God is through love. This is why the dark side tries to get church members into society’s unkind patterns. Unselfish love is not normal, it’s not natural, and it’s not expected. It’s a miracle, and a powerful one. “Therefore . . . clothe yourselves with compassion.” Colossians 3:12.
Healthy Church
It might be good for congregations to read sections of Matthew 18 every time they meet. A summary: “Who’s the greatest?—a humble child. If you look down on or hurt any child of mine, there’s serious judgement for you. Has a church member wronged you? Reconcile with him first, before you spread it all over the church and the town. What if he keeps it up? Take a friend or two, and try again. Then forgive him. Offends you again? If it’s a huge spiritual issue, the church might eventually have to part ways with him. But even then, forgive the offender again. And again. And again. The same as I forgive you again, and again, and again.” This is healthy church, delightful in the eyes of God.
Antidote to Criticism
There’s no church without leadership, and there’s no leadership without pain. Everyone hurts, and the more public the role, the more private the hurt. It would be good if those who criticise leaders could have the veil pulled aside, to see the blood from their dagger wounds. But of course they cannot see, or they would not criticise. There’s an antidote for criticism, and it is prayer. “Pray for us!”—a leadership plea appearing four times in the New Testament. When prompted to criticise, re-shape your criticism into prayer. You cannot at the same time open your heart in prayer and open your mouth in criticism. Your prayers might change the leader; they will definitely change you.
Counsel for Crisis
Gift of Peace
The world will enter “a protracted period of peace.” This hope was expressed in 1970 by US National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, along with President Richard Nixon. It’s laughable now, but tragic too. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, we grieve over a world that convulses from one calamity to another. Earthquakes, floods, terrorism, poverty, disease, ethnic hatred—these are our story, even while our knowledge and technology go onward and upward. The higher our enlightenment, it seems, the deeper our darkness. But hope remains—“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
Three Realities
“Will we ever get back to normal?” During calamity, that’s our question. But what is normal? Uncertainty and loss appear to be the prevailing pattern of life on Earth—something we can easily overlook when we’re blessed by years of stability. The twin realities of Hebrews 11:32–40 help our understanding. The first reality is God’s gift of victory, fulfilment, strength, and miracle. The second reality is suffering, destitution, desperation, and death. These realities are two parallel tracks on which we make our way through history. But we are making our way!—to a third reality, a destination. “God has planned something better.” Then comes this counsel (see Hebrews 12:1–3): “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let’s fill our minds with him, so we will not grow weary or lose heart.”
One Safety
Fresh on the minds of some in Jesus’ time was a nasty incident. A tower fell on 18 people and killed them. Jesus made two points from this. First, he corrected the view that those 18 must have been extremely bad sinners. This is important. Bad things happen to bad people; bad things happen to good people too. Second, Jesus said calamity is an urgent call to life change for all of us. He invites us to himself now; because in this world our possessions and our safety are not guaranteed. “Don’t be filled with anxiety; be filled with God. God notices the sparrows, he nourishes the lilies, he knows you intimately, he values you highly. Make God your only treasure and your refuge.” See Luke 12 and 13.
Character Revealed
You won’t discover your true character when things go well. You’ll discover your true character when things fall apart. Patience, resilience, resourcefulness, faith, hope, courage, integrity—like the pearl in the mollusk, these are refined and revealed when we come under irritation or attack. Equally important is compassion. Can I act with compassion when I’m suffering? More pointedly, do I act with compassion when I’m comfortable? Tragedies in our sphere of influence are opportunities to respond as Christ would respond. “Lord, break the stranglehold of selfishness in my life. Make me an instrument of your peace. Lead me to act with your compassion for a world in need.”
Leading from the Middle
Mistaken Image
“Up front.” It’s our most popular image of leadership, and our most mistaken. Leaders who have made the most powerful difference in human history have led not from the front but from within. Think of the apostle Paul, David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor, Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela. These led by sacrifice and identification, not by fame and elevation. Think of Jesus. “He did not come to be served, but to give his life.” Matthew 20:28. When Jesus’ disciples jostled for high leadership roles, he set a humble child in front of them and said, “Not like that; like this” (Luke 9:46–48). If you’re called to lead, first be truly led, then lead from within.
Swarm Intelligence
There’s something out there called “swarm intelligence”. Herrings, starlings, wildebeest, ants. In the sea, in the air, and on land, there are creatures that swarm together in hundreds, thousands or millions. They operate as one intelligent organism. With no central control, the swarm decides, reacts and moves with efficiency and purpose far beyond the capacity of its individuals. The group goes the distance, protects its members, accomplishes tasks, and makes adjustments unthinkable for a single creature. The rules are instinctive and clear—stick together, avoid collisions, and head in the same direction. Sounds like excellent advice for members of the church, the unified body of Christ.
Recognised Value
Wildlife experts tell us that a large herd of wildebeests may be able to follow a migration route even if there are only a few individuals that know the way. The leaders are not out in front; they’re virtually anywhere within. They’re not even trying to lead. But the rest somehow recognise their value, and follow them anyway. This is “leading from the back” or “leading from the middle”, a powerful principle for human organisations. Nelson Mandela taught and modelled it. In animated meetings, he would listen, reflect, summarise, share his own thoughts, then gently steer things in the direction he believed in—allowing himself to be led, too. “Quick to listen, slow to speak.” James 1:19. It’s a leadership plan that can take us the distance we’re called to travel.
Incredibly Humbling
Light. Salt. Aroma. Yeast. The New Testament pulses with these metaphors for Christian leadership. Look at Jesus’ own ministry. Not the limelight, but the shadows. Not the showcase, but the sacrifice. Not management, but mingling. Not coercion, but compassion. Not a pedestal, but the Cross. “It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim any special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.” Philippians 2:8, The Message. When we church members stop struggling to get above those around us and instead come within humanity to spread the influence of Heaven, we will see Jesus’ mission advance faster than ever before.
Life on Earth
Coming to Grips
Youth, health, vitality, relationships, stability, life. When you’re 15, you think these are permanent. By 50, you know they are temporary. Part of our success in life comes from recognising what is temporary, and coming to grips with it. The other part of our success comes from recognising what is permanent, and coming to grips with that. The Bible lays out the scenario. This world in its present form is passing away. We are like a mist that vanishes. We are like grass that withers and flowers that fall. But there is an eternal God, and he has provided eternal life. “The world . . . is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.” 1 John 2:17, The Message.
Coming to an End
What’s this world coming to? It’s a common question. How do you see it? Do you think the world can heal itself? Do you believe science and education can fix our mess and get humanity to a high level? The Bible’s answer is clear: Planet Earth is in a death spiral. What the world is coming to is an end—but a new and better way of life stands ready. God declares a day of reckoning, putting evil on notice. He also declares a day of renewal, putting good on alert. “Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone. . . . ‘Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.’” Revelation 21:4, 5, The Message.
Coming to Joy
“This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper.” These famous lines are from T. S. Eliot’s poem called called The Hollow Men (1925). The poem describes the despair that comes from life’s emptiness. Despite our enlightenment—our knowledge, technology, high aspirations—humanity can become paralysed in what Eliot calls the Shadow between the idea and the reality. What’s your stance? Are you living with active compassion for people in “the Shadow”? Are you living out Christ’s message of hope? “I go and prepare a place for you,” Jesus explained. “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3. This is the way the world ends! It’s a message of joy for all in despair.
Coming to Truth
I remember seeing a cartoon that showed a bearded man with a microphone, shouting “Don’t listen to their nonsense—listen to mine!” What are you listening to? The world is filled with nonsense, but one day it will be filled with truth about Jesus. “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14. Before we can preach it, we must know it. Do you know the Good News? Are you personally living it? “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24. Now that’s worth taking a microphone to proclaim.
Powered by the Word
Basic Instruction
Somewhere I read about a child who came up with a perfect acronym for B-I-B-L-E. “Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.” I like that! One way or another, each of us will leave Earth. I will either move off the scene into oblivion, or I will journey to a new Heaven and a new Earth. I need basic information about this choice of destiny, and I’m glad I’ve found it. Have you found this information? Have you made your choice? All we need to know about our destiny is described in that marvellous collection called the Bible. God lets us know, and he makes his appeal. “In the beginning was the Word. . . . Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” John 1:1; 5:24.
Bring it Home
We value what we’re close to. I’m close to my wife, close to a few excellent friends, close to nature. Some of my friends live across oceans, but I take steps to stay close to them. What’s the current distance between you and God’s Word? This is a fair measure of the distance between you and God himself. To be a mile away from the scriptures is to be at least half a mile away from God. King David understood this. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11. The apostle Paul advised, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”. Colossians 3:16. For you, where is God’s Word right now? If it’s only in church, bring it home. It it’s up on a shelf, get it down into your mind and heart, starting now.
Before You Go
At age 23, I had a job most challenging to my shy nature—selling Christian books doorto-door. Not in my homeland, but in Iceland. Using Icelandic, a language I did not know. Each morning I would rise in fear, then tell myself, “Of course you’re afraid—you haven’t got your power for the day.” Then I would plunge into the Word. I’d open my Bible and find a promise I could cling to every hour. Promises like “I am with you always” and “With God all things are possible”. I’d imprint these on my mind through prayer, then go! What a difference it made. God gave the language, the courage, the ability. Today, before you go, will you pause? Will you get the power?
Battle Victory
The book of Acts tells us that when the first Christians began their mission, the enemy brought every force against them. I’ve felt some of this evil force in my own life—have you? Criticism and opposition; plus my own pride, selfishness, impurity, doubt, anger. My recourse is the Word of God. My personal defences are weakness, but God’s Word grows in power. Acts 19:20. You and I battle against unseen powers of darkness and evil. But we have weapons—especially “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”. Ephesians 6:12, 17. Can you see it? God’s Spirit strikes the heart of our enemy, and his sword is the Word. Let’s sign up for special forces training with this weapon.
Three Steps With Jesus
Step One
The first step is a three-word invitation: “Come, follow me.” Matthew 4:19. It means, “Be my disciple.” A disciple is a follower—someone who admires someone else, and who adapts his life to that other person. We like to think of ourselves as leaders, but from childhood we all follow somebody. Parents, teachers, peers, heroes, authority figures, idols. By nature we follow a force of sin deep within us, and the evil power behind it—see Romans 7:5, 18–20. Whom do you choose to follow? The answer determines both the character of your life, and your final destiny. It’s a beautiful thing to perceive Jesus looking us in the eye with his invitation, “Follow me”. Will your answer be “Yes” today?
Step Two
Step one was discipleship—“Follow me.” Step two comes with Jesus’ next words: “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. Those first disciples switched from catching fish to netting people for God’s kingdom. This is always an outcome of following Jesus—to minister, to serve, to find new disciples. It changes our focus from making a living for ourselves, to living with an eye toward others in whatever we’re doing. I am no sooner a disciple of Jesus than I’m called to become a minister for Jesus. Don’t think of it as formal ministry, like a pastor. Think of it as keeping eyes and ears open for Christ in the details of daily life. Today, you will have opportunity to bless someone in Jesus’ name! Pray for it, act on it, find joy in it, and tell someone about it.
Step Three
Step one was discipleship—“Follow me”. Step two was ministry—“fishers of men”. You can see these two steps in Matthew 10:1 (The Message): “Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields”. First Jesus called them, and second he sent them. But look what’s next. “He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives.” This is step three—empowerment, enabling, equipping. It’s also known as gifting, the generous outpouring of Jesus’ Spirit to replace our weakness with God’s strength. Jesus’ disciples couldn’t believe it. Even the demons submitted! This is the all-important power, the gifting. Don’t leave home without it.
One, Two, Three
Step one: Discipleship—“Follow me.” Step two: Ministry—“I will make you fishers of men”. Step three: Gifting—empowerment by the Holy Spirit for specific ministry. “He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives.” Now is a great opportunity to ask, Where am I in these steps with Jesus? Am I in genuine discipleship, following Jesus by choice each day? Am I united in ministry, serving God in prayerful actions that help advance his kingdom? And, Am I asking for and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit to equip me for the tasks God calls me into? Here’s an excellent promise to claim: “God gives the Spirit without limit.” John 3:34.
Spirit Gifting
Received, then Given
Jesus “filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts . . . to train Christians in skilled servant work.” Ephesians 4:8–12, The Message. This is gifting—the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to equip us for specific ministry in everyday life. Do you see a variety of ministries in people around you? “They all originate in God’s Spirit. . . . All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!” 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, The Message. This is one of Scripture’s most significant teachings. Have you studied it? Have you considered it for yourself? Have you prayed over it? Wherever Heaven’s gifts are handed out, I want to be in on it, don’t you? Remember, gifting is two-way. Jesus said, Freely you’ve received gifts of service—now freely give them away. Matthew 10:8.
Given, and Given Again
The word for “grace” in the New Testament is charis, also translated “gift”. Here’s the seed of our word charity. Very close to charis is the Greek word charisma. This is the word Paul uses for gifts of the Spirit. You can recognise our English word charisma, which means charm or giftedness. But did you know that charisma is also used in texts like Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift [charisma] of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus”? The rescue mission is one huge process of gifting! Christ is our amazing “charisma” from Heaven, and now he gives us his own “charisma” to continue his incredible work on Earth. Amazing grace, amazing gifts for ministry—all ours in Christ.
Gift, Always Gift
Giving is the love language of Heaven. This makes the Kingdom of God a gift-giving operation. God is gift. Christ is gift. Life is gift. The Holy Spirit is gift. Gift is not just a piece of the picture, it is the picture! “We all live off his generous bounty, gift after gift after gift.” John 1:16, The Message. This is our context for gifts of ministry. If I imagine my goodness or talents originate with me, I ruin the picture. A gift is a gift. When I try to pay for it by my hard work or sacrifice, it’s not a gift any more. If I take pride in it as my personal creation, I sabotage it. If I focus on my gift rather than on the Giver, I spoil it. Every ability I have for ministry stays gift—God’s gift, every day and in every way.
Christ, Only Christ
Sometimes, on TV or in other venues, we see people who claim to be Spirit-filled who come across as full of themselves rather than filled with God. It’s a turn-off; it disgusts reasonable minds; it’s a caricature of truth. The Bible’s picture is different. See Stephen—Spirit-filled, persecuted and suffering, on his knees in submission, humbly facing death, having eyes only for God, pointing to Jesus in his glory. Acts 7:55. This is what it means to be Spirit-filled and gifted for ministry. Jesus himself relied humbly on the Father for his words and acts; rejecting the “lust for miracles” in those around him. John 14:10; Luke 11:29, The Message. Will you commit to the same obedience, humility and sacrifice?
Connecting
Life, not Loneliness
In New Zealand, the body of an 88-year-old man is discovered in his apartment, many months after his death. In Germany some years ago, the skeleton of an elderly man was found nearly five years after he died. The skeleton was sitting on a couch, an open TV guide beside it, while the TV blared. In these cases, the individuals apparently wanted aloneness and privacy. But a 55-year-old widow in Chicago who leapt from her 12th-floor apartment left this note: “I cannot stand one more day of this loneliness. I have no friends. I receive no mail. No one calls me on the telephone.” Governments cannot fix this issue; nor can science or academia. But the church of Jesus—when functioning well—is ideally suited. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.
Community, not Isolation
The sad sagas of people like Howard Hughes and Janis Joplin prove this message: Joy and meaning do not come from fame and financial success. Joy and meaning come from significant relationships we build with other human beings over time. Humans are more like pelicans than polar bears. We associate, we group together—we are driven to connect with each other. Studies show one of our top fears is aloneness. We know by instinct that isolation leads to desperation and madness. It’s with this awareness that Christians build community. Even the shy among us can smile, take genuine interest in a lonely person, ask if there’s help we can give. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Acceptance, not Exclusion
Jesus met a lot of disconnected people. The diseased, foreigners, open sinners, the disabled, the impoverished, people on the wrong career track. People separated from family or society. People separated from the church of the time—from the privilege of full fellowship, worship, and ministry. In its obsession with religious purity, the church drew a narrow circle that shut people out. Hallelujah! Jesus arrived and drew a wider circle that brought people in. People the church regarded as total outsiders—like Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene—suddenly found themselves part of Jesus’ inner circle! “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
Giving, not Grasping
“It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others.”—J. A. Holmes. But sometimes those “others” are too much! We have to get away from them. It’s OK—even Jesus had to slip away, to find solitude, to disconnect from the crowd so he could reconnect with Heaven. Matthew 14:22–23. But when he returned from the solitary place, Jesus was able more effectively to reach the people he’d come to help. This is our pattern for connecting. Each of us is a tiny exception in God’s universe of others—but many of the others need exactly what we have to offer. It’s a choice for giving, rather than grasping—and in giving, we find joy.
Money Talk
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Set Your Mind
Our finances are personal. But God gets personal on this subject. There are about 500 Bible verses explicitly on faith, about 500 explicitly on prayer—and more than 2,000 explicitly on money! That doesn’t make money more important than faith and prayer. But it does address a challenge for people of faith and prayer. Jesus described the challenge perfectly: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our longing determines our destiny—and our longing can rest in only one primary place, not two. To find out where my heart is, I ask where my treasure is. What grabs my mind? What’s my daily focus? What’s my obsession? Jesus said we’re safe when the set of our mind is not money, but “a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted.” Luke 12:33–34; 16:13.
Act Smart
Nations are worried about money; ordinary people are worried too. Studies show one of our top fears is fear of poverty. Two things will help. First, decide that you will trust God. He will take care of you! “How much more he will clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12:28. Second, be different from almost everyone around you—by acting smart with your money. John Wesley summed up the Bible’s teaching like this: “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Many people are not merely spending what they make—they’re spending more than they make. That’s called debt, and debt goes into war against saving and giving. God can guide you on a path of money wisdom—are you willing to follow?
Follow a Budget
Nations have budgets. Corporations too. And churches. Only individuals—for the most part—drift through life without one. A budget is a plan for money in, and money out. A family with no budget is like an aircraft with no destination and no flight plan. It’s like a major expedition with no provisions and no planning for opportunities and risks. A budget doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a wonderful way to be self-disciplined, to get out of debt, to save, and to give. It’s a joy! It’s doing what Jesus said to do—“first sit down and estimate the cost”. Luke 14:28. Will you do it? For Bible-based guidance on money matters including budgeting, see www.crown.org and www.daveramsey.com.
Spend Wise
By the time we reach our fifties, most of us would love to recapture even 10 per cent of the money we’ve wasted! There’s wise spending, and there’s foolish spending. The difference is enormous for the quality of our lives. Over five years, a $28,000 car might extract from you a further $22,900 for financing and loss of value (depreciation). A $14,000 car might require only a further $8,600 by similar comparison. Best plan—save up and pay outright for no more than you can easily afford! It’s a novel idea. It’s also God’s idea, Proverbs 6:1–5; Romans 13:8. Of all personal freedoms, freedom from debt is one that feels the best. It’s a strategy by which we build solid houses, not sandcastles. Matthew 7:24–27.
Have Few Wants
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions but in having few wants.”—Epicurus, ancient philosopher. “Having few wants.” It’s a secret of financial peace and security. A 20-year-old who starts with $1,000 and puts $10 a day into a low-risk investment plan earning a net average of 5.25 per cent, will see that plan grow to more than half a million dollars by age 60. The total will approach real-term dollars if deposits rise as needed to keep the funds in pace with inflation. Where can the money come from? Not from the lottery, but from self-discipline. From having “few wants”. God calls this contentment—the opposite of greed. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6.
Choose New Riches
In developed nations we’re quite religious. Our gods are entertainment, money, and garbage. Garbage? Yes. Not today’s garbage, but tomorrow’s. The stuff that glows when we buy it and descends into darkness when we chuck it out. Many items are useful for a while. But sooner or later they all go to rubbish. What’s valuable? You are valuable. What lasts? You will last, if you choose eternity over rubbish. God’s words: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3. Are you willing to shift your love from society’s goods and gods, to God himself? As you shift your focus, you’ll grow rich in faith. You will inherit a kingdom that endures—with all its amazing treasure. James 2:5.
Choose Freedom
Don’t miss out. Live the dream. Get it now. Nothing down. No interest for six months. Pay later. All credit cards accepted. No credit history denied. See your friendly banker. . . . These expressions are a conspiracy to get rich at your expense, to destroy your peace, and to keep you in life-long financial slavery. If you do not recognise the truth of this, it’s likely you are already deceived and trapped. Praise God, there are steps each of us can take to change the financial course of our lives. It begins with spiritual freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1. Then, with good information, self-discipline, and God’s strength, we can quickly find financial freedom for ourselves and our families. For Bible-based guidance on steps to take, see www.crown.org and www.daveramsey.com.
Give with Joy
A spirit of giving. It’s a persistent bright spot in Earth’s shadowy story. In the beginning, God gave. At the Cross, God gave. Daily, God gives. Is giving a bright spot in your life? Recently, a wealthy businessman in Europe became tired of working like a slave for things he didn’t want or need. He dreamed of having nothing. He sold everything to support relief of poverty in Central and Latin America, while he personally lives on a small monthly stipend. In this, he finds great joy. Whatever your circumstances and calling, have you discovered joy in giving? Do you dream, and scheme, and plan for blessing our world more and more with your generosity? Jesus knows our human hearts and he said it well: “You’re far happier giving than getting.” Acts 20:35, The Message.
Copyright © 2011 by Ed Gallagher, Auckland, New Zealand. Individual “LifeSpots” may be used for non-commercial purposes without specific permission, with the acknowledgement: Ed Gallagher. / Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. / *The Message. Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.