Every day, according to one survey, Americans buy an average of 3,972,603 movie tickets; 1,683,835 songs and albums from online resources; 1,650,000 DVD rentals from Netflix; 978,030 bags of Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet popcorn; 568,764 Titleist golf balls; 443,650 large fries at Burger King; 160,968 bottles of Absolut Vodka; 7,500 Samsung LCD TVs; and 60 Ford Mustangs on eBay. It’s clear from this incomplete list that many consumers are spending money on things that have temporary stamped on them. Jesus, however, says that we should use our resources to acquire things that have eternity written all over them.
In Matthew 6, He identifies two types of treasures. The first are the ones accumulated on earth. These treasures are vulnerable to all kinds of decay and theft. .... The alternative is treasures in heaven. Now Jesus was not saying we can buy our way into heaven. He was simply calling us to simplify our lives and leverage our time and resources for the sake of people in need (Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). When we, with pure motives (Matthew 6:1-4), give up our lives and resources for the marginalized, we’re “storing up” treasures in heaven.
And this made me think of these statements I've heard or read...
- Wow! Adoption is soooo expensive!
- Local food pantries are struggling to meet needs; donations are down
- You can sponsor a child through Compassion International for $38/month; almost 2000 children are waiting for sponsors
- churches and ministries such as Focus on the Family and Family Life are facing budget shortfalls for the year
I know you could add to that list. There is a saying that you can tell a person's priorities by looking at his checkbook. What does my checkbook say about my priorities? Does my "walk" match my "talk"?
1 comment:
AMEN! And it's a lesson that our children need to learn from a young age. Our "teacher gifts" for SS this year were a donation to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at church. What better way to say "thank you" than to help spread the Gospel even more?!
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