November 27, 2009 was Black Friday in the United States and the Canadian retail community joined in so that Canadian business did not flow south. Apparent bargains filled the shopping carts with items that many considered as necessities. The question is why do we buy what we buy? Why do we need the latest, the fastest, the most sophisticated, and the most recent model or trend in our house? There really is more to this life than what pop culture dictates. It's not about selfishly having what we want, amassing more possessions or simply rising to the top of our profession. That's self-centeredness, self-preservation and self-promotion. It's time to recognize that life doesn't revolve around us; it must revolve around God. Selfishness, greed, and worshipping false idols (especially money) are major causes of our current national issues. On November 26, 2009 the glitz and glamour of Dubai came crashing down as an unaffordable program of buidling and indulgence. (News broadcast here). The billions of dollars used to impress the rich and nations from around the world today require a debt restructuring. At the same time we will see at least four major European banks journey the unknown and the need for further bailouts. (pictures of Dubai here).
In Tolstoy's "A Confession", he tells of his struggle with the meaning of life. He could not borrow the faith of his parents or the faith of his friends. His battle with meaning seemed to always point towards suicide, but even that did not provide an adequate answer. He finally discovered the truth that in serving God one finds fulfillment, meaning, joy, peace, and all the other things we seek in life. Then it becomes a "no-brainer" to live a God-centered life and fulfill our role to reflect Him in all we do. Now, none of this is to say that we are insignificant. We are quite the opposite in God's eyes! We are significant in God's eyes! When you realize that you are dependent on God (and not the other way around), you want to do all you can to glorify Him, and He is faithful to fulfill all of His promises to us. We were created to glorify, trust, and obey God, so when we live out of that God-made purpose, He raises us up beyond anything we can possibly imagine.
How does this relate to our money? It goes back to understanding that we are stewards of God's resources sot hat we are free from the pressure to constantly earn more or spend more on earthly possessions. It's like a light bulb that suddenly burns brightly on the truth that we can use His resources to glorify Him. Scripture tells us in Matthew 6:24 (ESV) "No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money." When we worship money, we are living a self-centered life, not a God-centered life. Later in this same passage, Jesus reminds us that God is in control and we are not. Wow, that's humbling, freeing and uplifting!
Frankly, it's not about me.
How would you answer the following series of questions?
1. As a believer, what is more important? Is it His will and a meager salary or is it my will to work for Him and an executive salary?
2. As a believer, the suffering that we are to suffer according to First Peter, could it not come at the expense of sacrificing the joy of having the latest, the fastest, the most fashionable, or the most important position in life?
3. As a believer, what do I really give towards the Global Advance Fund when I belong to an organization that is committed to the Great Commission?
4. As a believer, why is it so hard to leave 10% to the Lord's work in my Last Will and Testament if it's all His?
5. As a believer, why is it so hard to believe that even if I honour God in my Last Will and Testament that he will look after my surviving children?
5. As a believer, does it really matter if I get anything for Christmas or is it more important that I give to those who are most needy and destititute?
As we conclude 2009 and enter 2010, is it really about Him? On the other hand, could one describe it as being about me?
Ben Kononoff is a Charitable Gift Planner for the Christian and Missionary Alliance in the Canadian Pacific District. He and his wife Jean ministered for 25 years in pastoral leadership. Ben has worked in the area of development serving Ambrose and the C&MA for the last 10 years. Bookings for stewardship ministry in 2010 can by made by contacting Ben.
