TODAY’S VERSE
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (ESV)
Have you ever ordered something online and then immediately forgotten about it? If I’m honest, I actually enjoy coming home to an Amazon package and not remembering what’s inside. It’s the closest thing I get to that Christmas morning feeling as an adult. Is it something I need? Is it something I wanted? Is it something I thought I needed but actually just wanted? (And now that it’s here, I realize it’s not what I thought it was, but I don’t want to spend the time or energy returning it, so now it’s a waste of money.) It could be any of those options! But there’s just something exciting about getting to open a package and being surprised by what’s inside. We buy “things” and “stuff,” sometimes simply to feel a little temporary pleasure when we hit the “buy now” button.
Unfortunately, most of the items we order tend to be things we can easily live without. And it’s only a matter of time before they’re eventually broken, thrown away, or forgotten about. The thing about things is that they’re just that… things. Temporary and fleeting, not holding any amount of actual value. And yet we find ourselves in a culture where spending money on the latest item is quite literally one click away from the comfort of our couches. But what does it look like to put our time, energy, and resources towards something that will actually last?
One example of this actually happened today as I was writing. On Mondays, our office is often overrun with Amazon packages. Many of you have actually redeemed the ability to purchase “things” that are one click away! I helped a young lady unload two large carts full of food, donated to our Backpack Program. This food will go towards feeding kiddos in our community over the weekend when they’re away from meals provided by their school. Those packages enable the people of our church to serve local schools and open doors for gospel conversations. Those packages allow us to have conversations with Amazon delivery drivers when we explain why they’re unloading 20 boxes marked as “heavy.” Those packages are opportunities for students and families to know they’re loved not just by us but by their Creator. And here’s what all of this means: Those packages can play a small role in someone coming to know who Jesus is, and what He’s done for them. This is why we give to the things of Jesus.
Our conversation this week is about growth. So… are you growing in your giving? What do you need to do to grow in this area? How can you take one practical step this week to bring your first and best back to God so that the local church can continue to reach one more for His Kingdom? For some of us, maybe this means tithing for the first time. For others, it could look like taking a different step by giving our time and energy. The truth is we all have something to give, and we are giving it somewhere.
I’m going to ask again: What would it look like to give to the things of Jesus? Behind every ministry effort and initiative is what Jesus believes is most valuable — people. People He loved so much, He was willing to bleed and die for them. People who desperately need to hear and know Him.
APPLICATION
Take some time to audit where you spend your time, energy, and finances. Are the things you’re giving your resources towards the things of Jesus? What is one step you can take to give to the things of Jesus?
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PRAYER
Father, help us to see the difference between earthly, temporary “things” and the people around us who have eternity at stake. Give us eyes to see the world the way You do, and help us to orient our hearts and resources towards those things.