Post by Zac Loh on Dec 28, 2008 4:51:34 GMT -5
Dear Friends,
The economy of this world tells us to take and profit. The economy of God's kingdom is give and receive.
While the economy of this world can fall into recession, God's economy is recession-proof.
Giving out of your relationship with God is greater than giving solely to meet a need.
Yet, the greatest giving of all, is to be led by the Spirit, because obedience is better than sacrifice.
The Value Of Money
Matthew 26:1-16
You and I, we know what money means to us. We know what money does for us. But what does money do for God? How does God value money?
Let’s look into our text: Matthew 26:1-16.
In verse 2, Jesus told His disciples that He will be crucified. I believe that this is one of the last straws that broke the camel’s back …for Judas.
By this time, Judas must have realized that he was betting on the wrong horse, so to speak.
Judas, like many, was hoping that Jesus would become their natural king, like King David of old. Many Israelites would have thought that Jesus would lead them into independence from the stranglehold of the Roman Empire. They probably thought that Jesus with his popularity and a large following - would have been the perfect candidate to command a rebellion.
So, when it was finally been understood clearly, that Jesus had purposed Himself to be crucified; Judas was ripe to become the instrument of betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (verses 14-16).
Judas, the money caretaker, had been stealing money from the treasury. So, with Jesus approaching death, there wouldn’t be anything left to steal later. I believe Judas wanted to make his last buck, he wanted make as much money as he could before it all ends. In doing so, he became the devil’s agent of death.
In verse 7, we read that a woman poured an alabaster flask of very expensive fragrant oil, on Jesus’ head while He was reclining.
There was a strong verbal objection by Jesus’ disciples. To them, it was such a waste because the fragrant oil could have been sold for lots of money, and the money could have been used to help the poor.
What a waste!!! Or, so they thought.
Giving Out Of A Relationship With God
Jesus had a different view. Jesus said that they will always have the poor with them.
You see, the poor will always be around, but the opportunity to bless Jesus at that precise moment, came once in a lifetime. The woman gave out of love for Jesus.
So, we can infer from this lesson, that giving out of a relationship with God is greater than merely giving out to meet a need.
Our giving proceeds from our income. And in connection to our income; are our work, career and business. God is looking to be involved, not just in our giving; but also in our time, place and people that are connected to our income-earning.
Most folks spend more than nine hours, five days a week, in activities related to making an income. This constitutes a large chunk of their lives. And God wants to be a part of it. God wants to be in the picture, in this big part of their lives.
God wants us to give because we love Him. We work unto God. We give unto God. Much more than money, God wants our heart.
The Two Economic Systems
Seeing that Jesus wasn’t interested anymore to increase the kitty; it was an extra incentive for Judas to betray Jesus.
Judas was fueled by greed.
This world’s economy is propelled by greed. The weakness of communism was the lack of motivation for excellence and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, capitalism’s loophole is that it creates an opening for greed.
In capitalism, the rich get richer because money makes more money. An elite few has the power to manipulate the economy. Wall Street and some banks are two major culprits.
Like Judas stealing from the Jesus’ ministry fund, many financial experts have been stealing from the economy.
But as true believers of Christ, we also live in another economic system: God’s economic system.
Those who have attached their faith and dependence, to this world’s economic system, will rise and fall together with it: internally and externally. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:19-21)
The standard application of the above portion of scripture, nowadays, is to instruct us to pay our taxes. But I would like you to see something here, which I’ve not seen before.
Back then, the money was linked to the Roman Empire because it was part of that monetary system. Just as it is today, all our monies are in currencies linked to a government. Properties are valued using the local government currencies. Every asset today is bought and sold at a price linked to the local currency.
This means that every money and asset which we have …based on the face value (pun unintended) of the above portion of scripture …all our monies in various accounts and all our assets which can be sold …belongs to one government or another. If we follow to the hilt …the surface …the shallow understanding of the scripture …we will have to give everything we have …to the government!
I believe in paying taxes. I pay my taxes. But there is something beyond what we had ordinary perceived. Jesus was telling us something more.
Jesus was telling us to let go of our faith-attachment to this world’s economic system. Jesus was telling us to live by God’s economic system. A fish provided Jesus with a coin to pay the temple tax. When people were hungry, He multiplies loaves and fishes. He lived a supernatural miraculous life. He lived by God’s economy.
How then, do we enter and function in God’s economic system?
We find the answer in Matthew 6:24-34.
1. We Must Not Let This World’s Economy Master Us
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
We live in two economies. We abide by God’s economy, and use this world’s economy. For we do not let this world’s economy use us. We do not let this world’s economy carry us along by its tide. We do not allow this world’s economy to dominate us. We are not moved by the ebb and flow of this world’s economy.
When God rules us, we become participants in God’s economy.
We are not servants to this world’s economy. God’s economy is not subservient to this world’s economy. We live by a higher economy. We live in a higher plane.
2. We Must Not Worry
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:27)
If God takes care of the birds which lifestyle is to sing melodiously every morning, wouldn’t He care for us? The carefree bird chirp away, they enjoy God’s creation. Even the birds know that God cares for them!
If the lilies of the hill sway and dance beautifully to the ever-changing wind, can’t we trust God no matter what blows our way?
Aren’t we of more value to God, compared to birds and lilies?
We must break the habit of worrying for the sake of worrying. Total trust equals zero worry. Yet, the focus is not in total trust, but in the Person of God who is totally trustworthy.
Worry disqualifies us from being recipients of God’s provision. Trust enables us to connect to our ever living, and ever loving, God. Trust is the ticket to His grace.
Worry casts disrespect to our God. Worry makes a stiff neck, our faces away from God; we are irresponsive, we shrug off His loving arms. Worry is like giving God a cold shoulder.
Take it from Jesus; worry doesn’t help a single bit.
Knowing that our heavenly Father lovingly cares for us, we trust Him …He is absolutely true to His word!
3. We Must Find God’s Economy, Which Is In God’s Kingdom
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Every country has its own economic system. God’s kingdom has God’s economy. When we seek God’s kingdom, we will find God’s economy.
The kingdom is the King’s domain. The King has control and influence in His domain. The kingdom is the extension of the King. The kingdom finds expression from the King. The kingdom exhibits qualities of the King.
It is only right that our God rules. Whenever and wherever God rules, it is righteousness.
When God rules our lives; we will experience God’s economy.
When we trust Him, and have faith in Him; we will experience God’s economy.
It is the economy of having a relationship with our heavenly Father.
4. We Must Set Ourselves To Live One Day At A Time
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)
Not too long ago, one day, my friend casually reminded me: “your special day is coming.” And I quickly replied: “every day is a special day to me.”
I am expecting something special from God, each day of my life.
One of Oral Roberts’ popular sayings is “Today Is The Day Of Miracles.”
Today has its own miracles, tomorrow has its own miracles. We need to set our mode to live one day at a time. We need to learn to expect miracles for today.
Note
Complementing this devotional message are two articles which I have previously written:
• Be Led By The Spirit In Giving
• Prosperity In A Balanced View
Click ARTICLES, SHORT THOUGHTS, IDEAS, POEMS, TESTIMONIES at the home page; after that, find the article or click the correct page by the tiny button at top or at bottom, at left-hand side of page.
The economy of this world tells us to take and profit. The economy of God's kingdom is give and receive.
While the economy of this world can fall into recession, God's economy is recession-proof.
Giving out of your relationship with God is greater than giving solely to meet a need.
Yet, the greatest giving of all, is to be led by the Spirit, because obedience is better than sacrifice.
The Value Of Money
Matthew 26:1-16
You and I, we know what money means to us. We know what money does for us. But what does money do for God? How does God value money?
Let’s look into our text: Matthew 26:1-16.
In verse 2, Jesus told His disciples that He will be crucified. I believe that this is one of the last straws that broke the camel’s back …for Judas.
By this time, Judas must have realized that he was betting on the wrong horse, so to speak.
Judas, like many, was hoping that Jesus would become their natural king, like King David of old. Many Israelites would have thought that Jesus would lead them into independence from the stranglehold of the Roman Empire. They probably thought that Jesus with his popularity and a large following - would have been the perfect candidate to command a rebellion.
So, when it was finally been understood clearly, that Jesus had purposed Himself to be crucified; Judas was ripe to become the instrument of betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (verses 14-16).
Judas, the money caretaker, had been stealing money from the treasury. So, with Jesus approaching death, there wouldn’t be anything left to steal later. I believe Judas wanted to make his last buck, he wanted make as much money as he could before it all ends. In doing so, he became the devil’s agent of death.
In verse 7, we read that a woman poured an alabaster flask of very expensive fragrant oil, on Jesus’ head while He was reclining.
There was a strong verbal objection by Jesus’ disciples. To them, it was such a waste because the fragrant oil could have been sold for lots of money, and the money could have been used to help the poor.
What a waste!!! Or, so they thought.
Giving Out Of A Relationship With God
Jesus had a different view. Jesus said that they will always have the poor with them.
You see, the poor will always be around, but the opportunity to bless Jesus at that precise moment, came once in a lifetime. The woman gave out of love for Jesus.
So, we can infer from this lesson, that giving out of a relationship with God is greater than merely giving out to meet a need.
Our giving proceeds from our income. And in connection to our income; are our work, career and business. God is looking to be involved, not just in our giving; but also in our time, place and people that are connected to our income-earning.
Most folks spend more than nine hours, five days a week, in activities related to making an income. This constitutes a large chunk of their lives. And God wants to be a part of it. God wants to be in the picture, in this big part of their lives.
God wants us to give because we love Him. We work unto God. We give unto God. Much more than money, God wants our heart.
The Two Economic Systems
Seeing that Jesus wasn’t interested anymore to increase the kitty; it was an extra incentive for Judas to betray Jesus.
Judas was fueled by greed.
This world’s economy is propelled by greed. The weakness of communism was the lack of motivation for excellence and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, capitalism’s loophole is that it creates an opening for greed.
In capitalism, the rich get richer because money makes more money. An elite few has the power to manipulate the economy. Wall Street and some banks are two major culprits.
Like Judas stealing from the Jesus’ ministry fund, many financial experts have been stealing from the economy.
But as true believers of Christ, we also live in another economic system: God’s economic system.
Those who have attached their faith and dependence, to this world’s economic system, will rise and fall together with it: internally and externally. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:19-21)
The standard application of the above portion of scripture, nowadays, is to instruct us to pay our taxes. But I would like you to see something here, which I’ve not seen before.
Back then, the money was linked to the Roman Empire because it was part of that monetary system. Just as it is today, all our monies are in currencies linked to a government. Properties are valued using the local government currencies. Every asset today is bought and sold at a price linked to the local currency.
This means that every money and asset which we have …based on the face value (pun unintended) of the above portion of scripture …all our monies in various accounts and all our assets which can be sold …belongs to one government or another. If we follow to the hilt …the surface …the shallow understanding of the scripture …we will have to give everything we have …to the government!
I believe in paying taxes. I pay my taxes. But there is something beyond what we had ordinary perceived. Jesus was telling us something more.
Jesus was telling us to let go of our faith-attachment to this world’s economic system. Jesus was telling us to live by God’s economic system. A fish provided Jesus with a coin to pay the temple tax. When people were hungry, He multiplies loaves and fishes. He lived a supernatural miraculous life. He lived by God’s economy.
How then, do we enter and function in God’s economic system?
We find the answer in Matthew 6:24-34.
1. We Must Not Let This World’s Economy Master Us
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
We live in two economies. We abide by God’s economy, and use this world’s economy. For we do not let this world’s economy use us. We do not let this world’s economy carry us along by its tide. We do not allow this world’s economy to dominate us. We are not moved by the ebb and flow of this world’s economy.
When God rules us, we become participants in God’s economy.
We are not servants to this world’s economy. God’s economy is not subservient to this world’s economy. We live by a higher economy. We live in a higher plane.
2. We Must Not Worry
Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:27)
If God takes care of the birds which lifestyle is to sing melodiously every morning, wouldn’t He care for us? The carefree bird chirp away, they enjoy God’s creation. Even the birds know that God cares for them!
If the lilies of the hill sway and dance beautifully to the ever-changing wind, can’t we trust God no matter what blows our way?
Aren’t we of more value to God, compared to birds and lilies?
We must break the habit of worrying for the sake of worrying. Total trust equals zero worry. Yet, the focus is not in total trust, but in the Person of God who is totally trustworthy.
Worry disqualifies us from being recipients of God’s provision. Trust enables us to connect to our ever living, and ever loving, God. Trust is the ticket to His grace.
Worry casts disrespect to our God. Worry makes a stiff neck, our faces away from God; we are irresponsive, we shrug off His loving arms. Worry is like giving God a cold shoulder.
Take it from Jesus; worry doesn’t help a single bit.
Knowing that our heavenly Father lovingly cares for us, we trust Him …He is absolutely true to His word!
3. We Must Find God’s Economy, Which Is In God’s Kingdom
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
Every country has its own economic system. God’s kingdom has God’s economy. When we seek God’s kingdom, we will find God’s economy.
The kingdom is the King’s domain. The King has control and influence in His domain. The kingdom is the extension of the King. The kingdom finds expression from the King. The kingdom exhibits qualities of the King.
It is only right that our God rules. Whenever and wherever God rules, it is righteousness.
When God rules our lives; we will experience God’s economy.
When we trust Him, and have faith in Him; we will experience God’s economy.
It is the economy of having a relationship with our heavenly Father.
4. We Must Set Ourselves To Live One Day At A Time
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34)
Not too long ago, one day, my friend casually reminded me: “your special day is coming.” And I quickly replied: “every day is a special day to me.”
I am expecting something special from God, each day of my life.
One of Oral Roberts’ popular sayings is “Today Is The Day Of Miracles.”
Today has its own miracles, tomorrow has its own miracles. We need to set our mode to live one day at a time. We need to learn to expect miracles for today.
Note
Complementing this devotional message are two articles which I have previously written:
• Be Led By The Spirit In Giving
• Prosperity In A Balanced View
Click ARTICLES, SHORT THOUGHTS, IDEAS, POEMS, TESTIMONIES at the home page; after that, find the article or click the correct page by the tiny button at top or at bottom, at left-hand side of page.