God who loves

 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9

The generosity of our God is unprecedented with His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds. He gives rest when we are weary. He gives peace when we are fearful. He gives joy when we are sad. He gives comfort when we are sorrowful. He gives forgiveness when we are guilty. He gives hope when we are doubtful. He gives us His son Jesus for salvation and His Holy Spirit for our comfort, conviction and direction. He gives.

Why is the Lord so extremely charitable to His children? He gives because He loves. He loves you too much to leave you lost in your sins. This is why He gave Jesus as your gift of forgiveness. He loves you too much to leave you bound by lies. This is why He gave you the Holy Spirit to lead you in all truth. The revelation and understanding of truth is part of the Lord’s abundant provision. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man” (Amos 4:13). His truth is your freedom to live well.

God gives you contentment in your work, and wealth and possessions to enjoy. “When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Genuinely praise and thank the Lord for what you have and trust Him for what you don’t have.

Because God has been so generous to you, how can you be generous to others? Perhaps you give grace instead of judgment, forgiveness instead of resentment, transparency instead of deception and freedom instead of control. Do you have family or friends that desperately need you to listen, offer advice and provide financial assistance? Pray God’s provision for people you know, and then be available as an answer to your own prayer.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…” (Ephesians 3:16-17).

Rich in what matters

 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?  Luke 16:11, NLT

Jesus cuts to the chase! How well we manage worldly wealth determines how much we can be trusted to manage God’s true riches. What is worldly wealth? Stuff we can enjoy on earth but not take to heaven is worldly wealth. Management of worldly wealth is important because it is an indicator how faithful we will be with what’s most important—true riches. What are true riches? True riches originate from God and are initiated from heaven such as our relationship with Him and our relationship with each other. Loving the Lord and loving people—the two great commands!

Whether managing a lot or little worldly wealth, and we should stay faithful and prudent in overseeing the Lord’s resources. But, to be wise, we must not be carried away by money that flies away into the sky. Our hope is in Christ, not cash. The beauty of true riches is they grow and thrive in intimacy during times of stillness, solitude and silence. Feel familiar? Our God pause can be a catalyst to draw us closer to Jesus and to each other—if we let it. Focus on the balance sheet of your true riches and watch it soar. Avoid obsessing over less cash. 

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:31-34).

Are you content knowing and loving Christ and knowing and loving those who know you best? What valuation can you place on the priceless asset of true riches? One of my mentors for many years, defined his life and work with Luke 16:11, calling it his signature, years later he still does. Why? Because Christ’s calculus for faithful living in Him never changes. By observing Howard up close and at a distance, the secret to a faithful life in Christ is humility. Humility to confess daily the Lord is owner of all I have. Humility to give generously out of a grateful heart, discarding greed. Humility to be loved and to love with forgiveness, patience, kindness, peace and joy. 

Yes, be wise and prudent in the management of worldly wealth so you can enjoy the true riches of an abundant life. Pay down debt. Consider refinancing your home mortgage to increase cash. Spend less. Save more. Give freely. But avoid obsessing over your hope and security in your net worth, and instead exchange the inferior idol of love of money for the superior love of your Savior Jesus. Manage worldly wealth wisely, so you can be trusted with heaven’s true riches. 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13).