- Bishop Burton
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Where is your treasure?
Greetings RC family,
Do you believe the Bible? Do you ever wonder why you are the way you are? I mean, do you ever wonder why you are wired the way you are wired? Do you ever question the discrepancy between what you read in the Bible and what you actually live and experience?
I think I can hear crickets! (…) Go ahead and reread the questions.
Recently, in a meeting with a man of God, I spoke to him about the necessity of addressing the pink elephant in the room. He said, “Dave, it’s important that we address the pink elephant in the room, but let’s be very clear we are not going to kill the elephant,” which made me ponder…
See, sometimes I think we can make a big mistake by killing the elephant rather than finding out why the elephant is pink in the first place. Maybe, the elephant is pink because it’s been wounded, abused, hurt, or perhaps it is sick or even simply misunderstood.
Family, one of the biggest and most consistent “pink elephants” in the “church room” or “church world,” surrounds the topic of money. In fact, as a pastor, I can feel the level of anxiety rising every time I teach about generosity and giving.
I’ve noticed that most church members, including many pastors and leaders, are happy as long as we talk about grace, mercy, faith, or love. However, when the subject turns to giving, suddenly those chirping crickets start singing their song even louder.
I’m just asking the question, so please don’t hate me, but could it be possible that the reason you and I may feel awkward or uncomfortable when the topic of money is talked about in church is because we are afraid that our money will truly reveal where our heart is? Ouch! Do you hear the crickets yet?
Family, most of us have read Matthew 6:21 where it says… “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” But did you notice that God doesn’t say where your heart is, your treasure will be, but it says where your treasure is, your heart will be?
In other words, your heart (or your interest) will follow your treasure. If you put your treasure in a car and drive it across Canada, your heart will follow wherever it goes. If you place your treasure on an airplane and fly to Africa, your heart will be on the plane on its way to Tanzania.
The truth is, if you regularly and consistently put your treasure into the things of God, your heart will always be with Him. I think this is the reason why many of you seem to find it so easy to give generously to others and to the kingdom of God because your heart is with Jesus.
Some of us are still struggling to understand that being a good steward in the Kingdom of God does not depend upon our skill with finances as much as it depends upon our ability to be totally obedient in giving what God tells us.
In Matthew 25:14-15, it says, “…for the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey.” In this parable, one man received five talents, another received two, and the last man received one.
These talents were actually measurements of money. We see this from verse 18 and 19 “. . . he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.”
Notice what the person with five talents did with the money. He didn’t immediately buy a new car or a big house. No, he strictly obeyed his master’s instructions by putting the money to work “… he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.”
When the master returned from his long journey, he called into account each of his stewards. Notice what he said to the man with five talents “...he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
The master rewarded his servant for being faithful and accomplishing his lord’s purposes. The same thing holds true for us. When we faithfully obey God with the money He has entrusted to us, God will bless us with more money and responsibility, as well as many other things you desire “…I will make thee ruler over many things....” (Matthew 25:21)
When you are faithful in giving tithes, sowing seed offerings, first fruit, and you give wherever and whenever God directs, you can expect God to bless you abundantly. There is no limit to how much God will bless you.
Family, no one ever became poor from giving too much to God. But many rich became poor because they simply gave too little to God.
Think about this…if the scriptures are true, we can control our financial future by the quality of our stewardship. The way we use the money that God gives us reveals our hearts. It shows our love, trust, and faithfulness or reveals our lack of love, trust, and faithfulness.
Family, I haven’t got all this figured out, and sometimes the struggle is real, but I want to be found faithful and hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I come to You today to thank you for all the gifts and promises that come from You. Father, I confess that sometimes I don’t trust you, and my foolish heart is filled with worry and anxiety, and I find myself looking at the problem of my supply instead of looking to You as my generous Supplier.
Please forgive this lack of trust in You, for I know that You have promised to supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory.
Father, I want to be able to hand over each and every one of my worries to You and to become a generous, faithful person, but I can’t change my nature myself. However, I do know that in the power of the Holy Spirit, I can take my worries and anxieties captive and hand them over to You, turning them into purposeful praise, knowing that in all things, You are the Supplier of all I need.
I ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.