Recently, as I was bemoaning the crack in (a neighbor’s!) house (if she’s got problems, we will, too!) the Holy Spirit revealed my blindness.Our house is not an investment guaranteed by the Lord; it—and every “thing” the Lord gives us—is a gift and a tool. The true foundation of our house is in eternity, and another crooked doorframe can’t change that. Our house may worthless tomorrow, but it is immeasurably useful today.
In the eyes of the Lord, our house is a place to sleep, to eat, to do family worship with our precious children. It is a tool for hospitality, for Bible studies, for making meals and phone calls. And using God’s gifts for His glory with thanksgiving is a sure investment in eternity.
Maybe others, too, are anxious for the future. You live in a church-owned property and are not building equity. Your ministry situation is shaky, and you may have to leave. You have raised enough support for this quarter, but what about the next? Ministry is often a financially risky calling, with a future seemingly dependent on the feelings of church members or supporters.
In reality, we are secure, and Jesus spoke to this very thing: “’ Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” Matthew 6:19-21
Our hearts need to turn
• Away from complaining, toward thanksgiving (Philippians 4:19-20)
• Away from moth and rust, toward heavenly treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)
• Away from feelings of despair, toward avenues of usefulness (Galatians 6:8-10)
Let us make a prayerful effort to trust God with the cracks in tomorrow’s bricks, and use the good gifts of the Lord to their fullest for His glory today.
When we were raising our own support for a ministry to college students, we felt financial pressure. For example, how can I make this prayer letter exciting enough to generate more contributions to our fund? Does anyone else out there feel this way in your current situation?
ReplyDeleteYes! I can relate, Patsy! Sometimes I also think that I have to be careful how I explain things about a different culture that might not be the norm in American culture.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Megan for the reminder of where my security really is.
Yes! I feel this way right now too- 4 of us from our family are going on a short term mission trip to South Africa in July. Definitely was thinking about making the support letter sound exciting! But, I tried to resist the temptation to think I could convince people to support us and just share my heart about what God is doing. It is most definitely a trust in our True Foundation! He will be our supply. :)
ReplyDeleteI also think of the people in Joplin right now- and how this must be speaking to them and all of us that we truly only have one firm foundation that cannot be shaken.
Mom, Cristy, Susie: In I Corinthians 9, Paul was facing critical charges that he wasn't really an apostle--because he didn't ask for money! Kingdom workers who struggle to write a slick support letter are in good company. :)
ReplyDeleteThroughout our seasons of ministry, I've often wondered about "what we'll have" when retirement comes. Also, we've had the full run of parsonages (from good, to good, to less good, to great). In addition, we're now in a shaky appointment from the perspective that we were sent her to "build up" a small, seemingly "dying" congregation (I hate that description). We were only here a couple of months before receiving my diagnosis of cancer. Needless to say, we've never had to trust God more! He's been so faithful to give us all that need, just as we need it.
ReplyDeleteI pray daily for a heart to trust God fully!
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peace~elaine