Thanksgiving Season
Dear Friends,
We are in the lead up to Thanksgiving in the US and I wanted to take a few minutes to chat about the word Thanksgiving. Especially as the season we're about to enter will be busy for many.
One of the first Thanksgivings was held in October, 1621 by Plymouth colony Pilgrims in appreciation of assistance from members of the Massasoit tribe, and celebration of the first harvest. I love that Thanksgiving was originally described as a "public celebration acknowledging divine provision." Giving is supposed to be a celebration.
There are of course three main ways to give in our lives. Treasure is the most obvious one, and one Jesus spent a lot of time talking about. In fact, two-thirds of all Jesus’ parables were about money. However, you can also give of your time and talent as well. So why did Jesus spend so much time talking about money and possessions?
Well, things have mass. And mass has gravity. It’s based on physics, isn’t it? The more things we accumulate, the more they tend to hold us in orbit around them. Just like the larger planets – Jupiter, Saturn – have dozens of moons around them. They have so much mass, they draw in and hold in orbit whatever comes near. That’s the way it is with our money and our possessions. The problem isn’t our possessions; money and possessions are fine. Money and possessions are a blessing of God. This is not an anti-things and anti-money message. The problem is when we think those things can meet our deepest needs for security, worth, and significance.
But here’s the good news, and it’s really, really great news. It’s found in Matthew 6:19-21. Here is what Jesus says about money and possessions, which He refers to as treasures.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”
Powerful words. So there are two takeaways I want to give you from Jesus’ words:
Takeaway No. 1: God owns everything, we are just God’s money managers.
Psalms 24 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all who live in it.” That covers a lot of territory. In Leviticus 25 He says, “The land is Mine and you are but aliens and My tenants. The silver is mine and the gold is Mine.” Is He making a clear point? “It all belongs to Me and not to you.”
Stewardship is the fact that I am God’s money manager. My name’s on the account along with His and I need to be a faithful steward. Deuteronomy 8 reminds us of something very important, “Remember the Lord your God for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
Sometimes we think it’s by our own ingenuity, our own skills, our own labor. But God says that talent, skill, gifts, and financial success is a gift from Him. Not just money, but the ability to make money is a gift from God.
Takeaway No. 2: My heart always goes where I put God’s money.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 8:19. What do our financial records show about where our heart is? Christ is telling us to gain vested interest in heaven through giving to My kingdom. Giving to the things that matter.
John D. Rockefeller was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. When he died a journalist asked his accountant, “How much money did John D. leave?”
The accountant thought about it for a moment then said, “He left all of it.”
If you can’t take it with you when you go, send it on ahead. You send it ahead by investing in the Kingdom of God.
Start with the local church and move outwards. I believe the first place to invest as a Christian is your local church. The local church is the hope of the world. Jesus said, "...and I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."
Start with your local church, then next to missions groups. Many of us support Compassion International, IJM, or our work here with Beyond The Blue. It’s like concentric rings from a pebble dropped in a pond. The ripples go out… We are investing in God’s kingdom through our giving.
In closing, as we approach Thanksgiving let's remember to be thankful for all we have, to steward what the Lord has given us, and be generous with our time, talent, and finance.
That's all for now. Please send me any and all prayer requests. God is on the move!
Cheering you on. Your Online Pastor,
Derek+
Ministry News Updates:
I'm working with the Baptist Association of New South Wales, (Australia) to implement The Marriage Course in churches across the state.
I just completed a US-based online Alpha Course for one group and began a new one for a Sydney-based church.
I'm coaching various individuals how to run successful online Pre-Marriage Course/Alpha Courses.
I'm also working with a Brazilian couple from Porto Alegre who are doing The Pre-Marriage Course using the Portuguese-dubbed version on Zoom with me.
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support this past year, which has enabled me to continue to do ministry to the wider body of Christ.
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