Sunday, March 8, 1998 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 30:8-9, Proverbs 19:17, Galatians 4:1-2, and Matthew 6:33, we studied about the important of accumulating and managing our possessions. The lesson spoke about two extremes as they pertain to one's attitude about possessions. The first is materialism, and I Timothy 6:6-10 describes this trait as an unhealthy, unspiritual desire for the world's goods. Many of those in our land desire to acquire as much as they can, and in many of those instances, their desire for more is only because they want to have more. Materialism is foolish, it is deceptive, and it can be destructive. The second extreme is asceticism, and this attitude means to fear money and avoid possessions. On the one hand, the materialist sees maximum good to be gained through having much, but on the other, the asceticist sees maximum good as coming from having little. Neither of these attitudes about possessions properly describes the biblical objective.
According to Proverbs 30:8-9, our attitude about money and possessions is that we should desire to have according to our needs. This passage teaches that it is a curse to have too little, but it also teaches that it is a curse to have too much. Our prayers should ask the Lord to give to us according to His will and based on what He knows we need for doing His work on earth. Concerning that which He allows us to have, we should always strive to be good stewards. Remember from last week's lesson that we are in a partnership with God. Therefore, our managing of our possessions should have a proper biblical balance. Proverbs 19:17 teaches that we should share with those in need. Proverbs 21:20 teaches that we should save and invest. Proverbs 22:7 teaches that we should be careful about how much debt we allow ourselves. Romans 13:6-7 teaches about paying our taxes promptly and honestly. And Galatians 4:1-2 teaches that we should take responsibility for how we use all that God has given us. Stewardship, according to our lesson, involves money and possessions, but it also involves such things as the earth and animals.
Being a good steward requires great attention, not only to the big things in life but also to the little. Ultimately, we need to realize that we live in a world where many people are lost and dying without Christ. They do not have a saving relationship with Him, and they are, as a result, doomed to eternal damnation. Our goal should always be to do whatever we can, as the Holy Spirit leads, to try to minister to those around us. The Lord has given each of us one or more spiritual gifts which, if we will, can be used under His leadership as a ministry for reaching others. Our lesson taught that we should ideally try to see everything we have as potential resources for ministry. Therefore, sometime during this week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be a spiritual blessing to those around you and try to always be faithful to try to reach others for our Lord.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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