Build a bigger, better barn...
I was reading Solomon's lament this week in Ecclesiastes about creating wealth, having possessions, and gaining notoriety only for it all to be given to someone else or be taken over by someone else when we die...a brief commentary on chapters 1-2...he was not thrilled about it.
You then read of Jesus' teaching in Luke 12 about a fella that was immensely successful in business with products and profit. He ended up with a "problem" that perhaps most of us would sure like to have- he had too many possessions and too much money. His solution was to utilize his wealth to build a bigger storage area to ensure he could hit his next level of financial success.
In Americanise- his money was making money and he needed to figure out what to do with his more money to make more money...or simply said, his net worth was soaring.
What a great problem to have?!?!?!
Jesus' commentary- he was poor towards God. Note, he was not doing decent with both or generous for his time or context or reasonable or giving his kids a great chance or doing his part...he was poor towards God.
As we continue walking through Missions Month, it is important that we ask ourselves about our eternal net worth rather than concentrate on our earthly one.
It begs us to ask ourselves the question, "Am I poor towards God?"
While this could be a larger conversation, let me give us a few considerations to help us navigate through this idea.
Start with eternity- God, angels, and people inhabit heaven for eternity; of the three, only people are the group that we can directly impact cumulatively. If the book of Romans instructs us of the need to enable the Gospel to go forward by sending people, then we must prioritize our spending on that which sends the Gospel to others. This is the primary mission of a church locally and then internationally through mission partnerships. We give to and through our church to facilitate this goal. Our first question must be- how will this money, possession, or investment help more people be in heaven?
Just say no to the American Dream- This country is incredible to live in! We have freedom and opulence in ways a majority of the world does not possess with the majority of our citizens enjoying both. Such blessings tend to make us pursue what our culture tells us are "essential" for life, to be a good parent, to be important, to have meaning, etc. Our second question could be- how much of my current spending, saving, and investing is based upon my cultural idea of what is "essential" vs. what God has said is enough for contentment, even enjoyment?
When will it be enough- What is the most you are willing to be in debt? What is the largest house you need? Do you need a third car? How much in your savings account or retirement account is enough? I worry that "the next..." is our answer instead of having clear goals that then facilitate greater giving rather than "storing up". A third question might be- what I am aiming to give away for the Gospel per year and lifetime? Whatever the answer is should then structure your budget and reduce your expenditures to make it happen.
This article is NOT about making less money, having less stuff, ignoring investing, or having a small net worth.
This article IS about being rich towards God.
My encouragement for each of us as followers of God is to build BIGGER, BETTER barns for eternity rather than strive after the vanity that Solomon already warned us about.
Serving together,
Pastor Paul