Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Am I Willing to Give What I Cannot Keep?

As part of the Financial Peace University (FPU) course that I'm helping with at church, I've started to read "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn. I'm very interested to wrestle with these things as I read and discuss with members of my group. God has been good to provide so well for me financially, in terms of a job and generous parents who helped me through school. Having seen how I had the tendency to take advantage of that generousity, I wanted to be equipped in how to handle my money wisely and in a way that honored God before I started my job. And Stefan was kind to point me in the direction of Dave Ramsey. His book, "Financial Peace", helped to establish the practical aspect of being a good steward of what God had given me and allowed me to give more freely.

But temptation can come from being more familiar with my finances and with money and investing in general. As I seek to save wisely, it can be easy to drift into a selfish hoarding mentality, to place my security ultimately in my savings, or to be tempted to think about how much money I would be saving if I didn't have to tithe. That's why I'm glad to be taking additional time to consider my heart's inclination towards money and how God calls me to use what he has given me. When it comes down to it, Jesus is concerned with the motives in our hearts and how that reflects what we truly value.

There is a great quote in the very beginning of the first chapter that you may have heard before. It sums up the message of the book in a eloquent way:

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
We need to consider using our money in the right way now so that we might gain eternal rewards in heaven. It's also applicable to our lives in general. Are we willing to serve sacrificially, give our time and live lives dedicated to God? While these things never ensure our salvation, God promises great rewards and there is an eternal joy that comes from obedience to God. And in reality, what are we giving up? Our lives on this earth and our money are things that will eventually come to an end. We are fools if we cling to the things of this world that will perish and neglect those things that are eternal.

Are we willing to give what we can't keep to gain what we can't lose?

1 comment:

Jeremy said...

Thanks for the post, I'm really encouraged that you are actively analyzing these issues.

That quote by Jim Elliot has been such a blessing to me for many years. If you haven't read of him I would encourage you to do so-amazing story.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
- John 12:24-25

Somehow bringing forth fruit is related to dying and hating your life in this world (I think that's a direct Piper quote).