As part of ushering ministry and part of collecting tithes, I am obligated to be faithful to God in the money I was blessed. Or else I become a hypocrite.
How can I tell others to put money in the offering bag when I don't do that myself? So the first thing I do is every time I get pay, I write a check for tithing.
I actually find myself more rely on God (aka spiritual growth) by
Looking back over the months, there are times when my account sink low (single digit anyone?).
And despite that God remain faithful. I am still getting fed. No empty stomach here.
Next, the world of triathlon can be quite expensive. An entry level tri-bike easily cost 1,200+. I purchased a tri-bike earlier the year. It felt great. That's mine Ferrari.
Last month, my friend did a triathlon for the first time and I lend him my bike. I figure I need to make sure that the bike is not my idol. After all, it ain't mine and it belongs to God. I am a mere steward of His Blessings. I also realize that a bike is a bike. Like any other material goods, it will rust and decay. I might as well make it useful before it is gone.
To go against the norm, to give instead to horde, is definitely different. I don't know how else to describe it. But I've been thinking more about giving money to others than spending on me. And at times in a society driven by financial security, it is weird.
The money I received, I will spend it. Either to myself for someone else. I remember all the movies that I watched for the past 5 years. Many of them, I don't even remember. I wonder if the money I spent on the movies, I can invest in someone, what change would that make?
Matthew 6:I still remember before I accept Christ, financial independence was my idol. That's all I strive for. As I stand now, I see where money lies. And the thought of money doesn't satisfy me.
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
After thought..
Perhaps I was too strong on what I wrote on this blog. There are times when I do worry about money. I do worry there is a lack of it. I do worry what if there is enough for (food, pay bills, family etc.).
I then think about the fact is that money is never enough. I have never heard anyone who can say "I have all that I need". Those who make 30 k, will think 40 k is enough. Those who make 40 k will think 50 k is enough. Those who are millionaires will think billions are enough.
I don't know if anyone notice that we are driven to get more and more and more. And a part of me don't want to play that game. 10, 20 years from now, I probably mass more wealth. But the mentality of getting more still remains. So in essence, having more doesn't satisfy. In essence, how much I own doesn't matter if I am still thirsty for more.
Here's where my faith lies and where I am putting all my eggs at. As Jesus say..store my treasures up in heaven. And how do I do that? Invest in people. Invest in things that will bring Glory to God.
Job, after his first test by Satan, tore his robe and shaved his head and said,
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. [c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."(Job 1:21)
Naked I came and naked I will depart. At the end, I am going to pass away...might as well use God's resources to the best that I can.
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