August 21, 2016

Good morning beloved!

Trust is so important to God and He wants us to trust Him above all else.  Giving financially is one way we can prove ourselves that we trust Him completely.  God doesn’t need our money, only our trust, but many people are afraid to part with any of “their” money because they see themselves, not Him, as their source of prosperity.  Money is just a tool we can use to accomplish the really important things in life, which center on helping others and showing the love of Christ.  Wherever we perceive our treasure lies is where our hearts will also be.

We should trust in the things of heaven, not in the things of earth (see Matthew 6:19-21).  The bible teaches us to place our trust in Him as our supply.  Trusting money over God indicates a wrong relationship with money.

We lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven when we put our total trust in Him.   This results in a willingness to use money to help others instead of keeping it all.  

Giving is an act of faith.  God wants us to be involved in every area of our lives, including our finances.  

Jesus told the parable of the rich young ruler to illustrate the lesson about entrusting our hearts to heaven, not in money or earthly riches (see Mark 10:21-22). When we give, it should be motivated by a loving, generous heart, not from a sense of obligation.  

Jesus further illustrates His teachings about money by telling the story of a rich man whose steward was stealing from him.   The steward lost his job because of it, but learned a valuable lesson.

That parable teaches us that money is merely a tool that should be used to establish our future.  In this respect, the world is smarter than many born-again Christians.  Money should be saved for future generations, and to secure our own future here on earth.  By using it to help others here on earth, it also secures our future in heaven.  

Looking to heaven,

Lisa Gordon

Assistant Pastor

Jesus City Church