God and Your Money

The Bible says: "Jesus...watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury" (MAR 12:41 NIV). Try to answer this question honestly: "Would my giving change if Jesus was passing the the offering plate and watching me write the check?" Actually, He does. Each time God asks you to give He observes your obedience, your consistency, and your generosity or the lack thereof. He does not measure you by how much you give, but what you have, and what you keep. That is why Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Now since every human enterprise is destined to go up in smoke and God's kingdom shall "have no end" (Isa 9:7), it is not hard to figure out where you should invest, right? Yet who among us has not been more excited about a dream home here on earth than an eternal home in heaven? That is why Jesus keeps challenging our priorities and values. Ever notice how many folks rush to endow God's work on the eve of their depature? Perhaps that is because we get great perspective from a hearse! What Jesus is saying to us is, "You cannot take it with you, but you can send it on ahead" (MAT 6:20). Thank God for benevolent bequests, but do you not think it would be wiser to "do your giving while you are living" and experience the double belssing of having your money spread in His kingdom while you are still around to enjoy it? Bottom line: If you want to know what is really important to you observe what you do with your money.