Timely Treasures

"I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all.  But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. "

                                                                                                                                    Martin Luther

     Herod paced. The wise men sought. Joseph and Mary followed, while the angels heralded and the shepherds rejoiced. The fullness of time had finally arrived and it was the moment for the long-awaited Messiah to be born. It is the highest glory of God to redeem a broken world and the birth of this newborn baby would set His divine mission in motion.

     Joy flooded the hearts of the wise men upon the sight of that star. This was a foretelling of the day-star rising in the hearts of mankind. Being allowed to participate in such a holy event had to fill them with both awe and jubilation. Then, in an instant, their world stood still the second their eyes fell on the glorious King they sought.

     They barely noticed the humble surroundings and lack of notoriety that should have accompanied Christ's entrance into the world. Instead, they presented their finest gifts to their King: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their hearts overflowed with wonder as they delivered their finest to the One who would give them His all.

     During this season of giving, I believe it is imperative to focus on the importance of sowing into the lives of others. The desire to give should be tantamount in the core of every believers heart. Jim Elliot says, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

     God is the ultimate giver. There is no one who can outgive Him. First of all, He owns all things and we are the ones who are called to steward them well. He gave us His very best and this is the example set before us: "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

     Since God gave us His most prized possession, He calls us to a life of extravagant giving. In His eyes, our faith and our finances are inseparable (Matthew 6:21).  In Luke, Chapter 3, three different groups of people ask John the Baptist about the fruit of repentance. He gives three answers: everyone should share food and clothes with the poor (v.11), tax collectors should not pocket extra money (v.13), and soldiers should be content with their wages and not extort money (v.14).

     These people had asked about spiritual transformation. John the Baptist showed them that money and possessions are not just important to our spiritual lives- they are central to them. He could not talk about spirituality without talking about how to handle money and possessions.

     Earthly treasures are not evil- they are neither good nor bad. The truth about them is that they will never last. We either lose them while we are alive, or we certainly lose them when we die. All of earth's currency will ultimately become worthless.

     Therefore, all of the selfishness in our hearts must be nailed to the Cross. It is selfishness, greed, and fear that inhibit our generosity. Life is never about getting what we want; it is about wanting what we get. Paul tells us that he actually learned how to be content in all situations ( Philippians 4:11).

     Trusting in Christ to meet all of our needs is the fundamental core of stepping out in faith with our finances. When we know beyond a shadow of doubt that God will provide for us, we can give liberally and without hesitation. Brent and I are friends with a couple who are missionaries. This is their testimony. They never ask for one penny to do the work of the Lord. They do not raise support. They pray and believe that God will meet their needs. Time and time again, whether it is a large or a small need, God has brought it to them. They always then give the glory and praise to God. God is glorified in this level of faith and subsequently abundantly blesses the work of their ministry.

     Jesus gives us the most valuable investment advice we will ever receive. He tells us to, "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:20). When we become enlightened in our thinking, we not only prepare for our eternal future but we also become a conduit for God to be glorified through our lives.

     His glory is always for our good. There is an abundance of joy released in our hearts when we serve and give to others. John Piper explains it this way, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

     Our truest satisfaction occurs when we prioritize the greater treasure in lieu of temporal ones. Joy is added in our lives when we sow into the lives of others and it is multiplied when it also extends God's kingdom. Hudson Taylor says this, "The less I spent on myself and the more I gave to others, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become."

     When we give out of our need, rather than our abundance, our joy is intensified. The Macedonian Christians understood this precept. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." (2 Corinthians 8:2).

     Giving is not a luxury of the rich; it is a privilege of the poor. Anytime we have an opportunity to give sacrificially, it is a gift that has been given to us. Our giving is acceptable to the Lord when the will of God is the rule of it, the glory of God is the end of it, and it is done in His strength and for His sake.

     We are the most like God when we give. If we look upon the face of Christ long enough we will become a giver. And, if we give long enough, we become more like Him.

     Sacrificial giving requires faith and trust that God will meet our needs and that He will meet them at the right time. When we operate in this level of faith and trust, it is probable trhat we will be cheerful in our giving and joyful as a result.

     We truly become the hands and feet of Christ when we meet another person's need at the perfect time. When the three wise men presented their gifts to Jesus, it was providence that provided relief to Mary and Joseph's poverty. They came at the perfect point of their need.

     When we share with others, we are really saying with our actions that we love God. It is not altruistic or philanthropic- it is a reflexive response to God's grace in our lives. This type of giving causes others to praise God: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" ( 2 Corinthians 9:15).

     Jesus keeps a record of our smallest acts of kindness. He tells us that what we do for others, we are actually doing for Him  ( Matthew 25:35-36).  When we practice and "excel in the grace of giving"  ( 2 Corinthians 8:7), Jesus even rewards us. "For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done."  (Matthew 16:27).

     Whether or not we officially have the gift of giving, each one of us are destined to it. We are living at this time and place in history with purpose.  After Jesus' resurrection, with added emphasis, He spoke with authority and intent, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35). Everyday, we can choose to become that timely treasure in someone elses life!

"Each person's destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is determined by what we say, what we do, and whom we trust."

                                                                                                                                S. Truett Cathy