WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART'S WALLET?

You would think life would be more like "Monopoly?" It's "Free parking," "get-out-of-jail" free cards, collect money every time you pass "Go," land on Boardwalk and you're on Easy Street. But it isn't and why should it be? We are a people called for purpose, not convenience; for obedience, not sacrifice.

This is how I will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God. - Luke 12:21

I used to think that passage in Luke 12 read quite odd. Yes, God is in the business of blessing His people, but in ways that go beyond our comprehension. His blessings aren't monetarily exclusive. And this is where my "You Would Think" mentality comes into play...

You would think...saving up for a rainy day would keep me secure (nope)
You would think...having a great-paying job would solve my family's worries (nope)
You would think...living in a great neighborhood would keep me safe (nope)
You would think...associating only with Christians would keep me saved (nope)

Whether He blesses each of us either as a group (read Matthew 20:1-16, 2 Chronicles 7:14) or on a case-by-case basis (read Matthew 25:14-30), He is ultimately the giver, the sustainer, the equipper, the provider, the deliverer, the author and the finisher of our faith. I believe that was the message the Master was trying to share with the crowd.

Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed: a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12:14, 15

I know of those wealthy in love, grace, joy and hope living on "Hard Times Lane." And there are those who are morally and spiritually bankrupt living on "Easy Street." You may work with them. You may have day-to-day dealings with them at your child's school, at the grocery store, at the mall or even next to you in your congregation.

What's a person to do? First, we find our response to worry in Christ...

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore, I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. - Luke 12:22, 23

It is never God's intention for any of His people to worry life away. His remedy to worry is prayer. You've heard in His word to "be anxious for nothing...?" When did the word "nothing" become redefined as "everything but this concern or that problem?" Nothing is a pretty clear word. And as we are to be anxious for NOTHING, that doesn't leave room for any misinterpretation.

Next, we find our response to (storing up) wealth in Christ...

And he [Jesus] told them [the crowd] this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he [the rich man] said, "this is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all MY [my emphasis] grain and MY goods. And I'll say to MYself [emphasis again] "YOU have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."

Do not mistake my "soapbox" for anything but heartfelt understanding. It wasn't that Jesus, in telling this parable, was saying that wealth is bad. This man was allowed to produce a good crop. And let me clarify here that God's word says that "for the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." (I Timothy 6:10). No, wealth is not bad, but once you (like the rich man) ask the question "What shall I do?" with the wealth and you're not consulting God on its distribution, you run the risk of losing it all. That not only goes for money, but time, talent, resources at your disposal, whether you're rich or poor.

Finally, we find our response to welcoming wisdom in Christ...

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:27-31

God's word always invites us to feast on its great and precious promises. And He is not a God that reneges on His word. If He says that "I will never leave you nor forsake you," He won't even when we stand at a circumstantial crossroad and ponder the notion of doubting God's presence in the midst of it. If He calls us through the writings of the apostle Paul to know "the secret of being content in any and ever situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want," we can trust Him when He encourages us in Philippians 4:13 that "I can do EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM who give me strength." You would think the key is that we can do everything, when in fact it is only THROUGH Jesus we find strength in the "everything."

EMBRACING GOD'S TRUTH - What's in Your Heart's Wallet?

As we cry out to God to embrace His truth for our lives, change is not easy. But here are a few questions to consider...

1. What are your current worries?

2. Do you trust God to take them? ___ Yes / ___ No

3. What "wealth" are you storing up for yourself? (remember it's not just money)

4. Do you trust God to reveal to you your "spending habits" (ways of giving)?

5. Through prayer, what wisdom have you welcomed into your heart?

EHT PRAYER - Dear God, thank you for paying the ultimate price for my life. May I be well spent for your kingdom and trusting of your truth that sets us free. AMEN!