Checkbook Test.....a Faith Gauge

Imagine if our budget/checkbook was on display for our families, friends, church, co-workers, etc. for viewing.......or perhaps auditing.  What reactions, on both sides, be dominant?  A more compelling question could be, "what would be the conclusive theme for what has been seen?" What is our emphasis showing by our individual entries?  What is valued?  Yes, we have to pay certain necessary obligations/bills.  It's those 'other' ways we spend.  The discretionary monies we may or may not have, yet, we oftentimes spend on 'things'. I have struggled in the past with my attitude and frame of reference by falling into the snare of 'my money'.  When in fact, all we have is from God.  He entrusts us with certain things (money, abilities, situations/opportunities).  What we do with each reflects our character conviction........our faith!  God is the provider of ALL, where does our trust rest?  HIM or earthly pleasures/things.  I'm not suggesting we cannot have some things, each one must work that out with God.  I'll simply offer a personal challenge to us all (I have really needed this recently myself).  Does our checkbook demonstrate that we are controlled by the Spirit, or by 'things'?  It's not about us.  God placed us in His plan for us to serve Him by helping others through benevolence/charity/building relationships.

A mathematical equation is perhaps appropriate.  Money - Checkbook Entries = Trust/Faith.  Thus, there is merit in how our checkbook reflects where our trust lies.  God trusts us with money, jobs, talents, time, etc........  A giving heart and lifestyle demonstrates obedience. He freely gives!  What are we giving back not only monetarily, but in our time, energy and abilities?  How does your checkbook measure up?  Mine is in need of a periodic makeover!  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO
Suggested readings:  Proverbs 11:24; Deuteronomy 14:23; Malachi 3:10

An Un-Grammatical Life

To be grammatically correct, we learned in elementary school  proper grammar from the little saying about ‘I and E’.  ‘I before E ‘except after ‘C’.   With a few exceptions, grammatically speaking, “I’  is  correctly placed first.  Society teaches the same, we live in a society inundated by ‘I and ME’-- What’s in it for me, do what you want.  Or we are tempted to live/think in the following format:  I/You  want……. need………deserve……are entitled to……..etc.

To live the life Jesus teaches us about we must discard proper grammar when it comes to "I", and put aside self-centered lifestyles.........and live un-grammatically-- so to speak.  We must strive to serve God and others first.  Deny ourselves ( Philippians 2:3,  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves).  The Christ-like platform and the Christians goal should be...........More of Thee/others, less of self.   Blessings in your pursuit.......TO