way to go allie
a few weeks back, Allie and i were having a conversation. the topic was our financial situation, and what we would need in order to pay the bills that were soon to arrive. this is what she said to me,
“I have really been challenged lately that, our desires for a good income are selfish. Instead of wanting
more money for what we need, or want, shouldn’t we want more money so we can give back to God? “
ouch, for whatever reason God really used this to give me a smack in the face. my heart's desires at that moment were definitely selfish.
today i was listening one of my playlists, when a song by Derek Webb came on. the song is called "i want a broken heart." in the very first line of the song he says, "i've got faith in the bank, and money in my heart." again...ouch. don't we seem to get the two switched so often? we place our faith on the back burner and only place it on the flame when we need the warmth, and then let our selfish desires be engulfed by that flame. God will provide, we just need to trust and have faith.
in 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing in chapter 8, in order to challenge the Corinthians in their giving to the poor saints in Jerusalem. 8:4 says: "begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints." here he is referring to the Macedonian Christians and the great desire they had to contribute to the poor. in that verse the phrase much urging has the idea of a very passionate request, or to draw near. if you were going talk to someone, the difference between talking to them inches away and five feet away, is a big difference. the verse says they begged Paul in order to give! shall i say it again...OUCH! the Macedonian Christians longed for this opportunity, they intimately desired it! i certainly don't look for opportunities to give, let alone passionately long for it.
anyone want to take a guess at what God has been teaching me?
these people who were the complete opposite of wealthy. they most likely had far less then any of us, but they still gave and gave with passion. so A & J, in response to your question, in this instance i definitely could "hear the whispers." (be still my soul, great song by the way!) they were loud and clear. its an amazing thing when we get to hear those whispers. as you can see here, it turned out to be more of a shout.
so way to go Allie, all this because of one question. if you were a man, you'd be 'da' man.
thats all.
(oh, anyone watching how amazing my bears are? 6-0!)
“I have really been challenged lately that, our desires for a good income are selfish. Instead of wanting
more money for what we need, or want, shouldn’t we want more money so we can give back to God? “
ouch, for whatever reason God really used this to give me a smack in the face. my heart's desires at that moment were definitely selfish.
today i was listening one of my playlists, when a song by Derek Webb came on. the song is called "i want a broken heart." in the very first line of the song he says, "i've got faith in the bank, and money in my heart." again...ouch. don't we seem to get the two switched so often? we place our faith on the back burner and only place it on the flame when we need the warmth, and then let our selfish desires be engulfed by that flame. God will provide, we just need to trust and have faith.
in 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing in chapter 8, in order to challenge the Corinthians in their giving to the poor saints in Jerusalem. 8:4 says: "begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints." here he is referring to the Macedonian Christians and the great desire they had to contribute to the poor. in that verse the phrase much urging has the idea of a very passionate request, or to draw near. if you were going talk to someone, the difference between talking to them inches away and five feet away, is a big difference. the verse says they begged Paul in order to give! shall i say it again...OUCH! the Macedonian Christians longed for this opportunity, they intimately desired it! i certainly don't look for opportunities to give, let alone passionately long for it.
anyone want to take a guess at what God has been teaching me?
these people who were the complete opposite of wealthy. they most likely had far less then any of us, but they still gave and gave with passion. so A & J, in response to your question, in this instance i definitely could "hear the whispers." (be still my soul, great song by the way!) they were loud and clear. its an amazing thing when we get to hear those whispers. as you can see here, it turned out to be more of a shout.
so way to go Allie, all this because of one question. if you were a man, you'd be 'da' man.
thats all.
(oh, anyone watching how amazing my bears are? 6-0!)
great post man. glad to hear that God is speaking to ya man. and d webb's song 'broken heart'. amaaaazing. go bears!
cant wait to hang
Posted by
ashdown |
5:08 PM
what can I say? God is amazing! He continues to bless us over and over.
p.s. for the record, did you really come up with this yourself? "we place our faith on the back burner and only place it on the flame when we need the warmth, and then let our selfish desires be engulfed by that flame." very poetic!!
Posted by
wmts |
9:31 AM
Matt, You are hearing from God. Way to go Matt. Did not our God say, "it is not good for man to live alone"? Amen, Lord your plans are perfect. Thanks for sharing. Is it ours, or is it God's anyway?
Loving you and your wonderful wife,
Aunt Peggy
Posted by
Anonymous |
7:41 AM