Stepping Stones To Victorious Christ Centered Living #14 Finishing Well
Finishing Well
The Love Hate Relationship
Matthew 6:24
When we think about how Jesus teaches us about processions, this one verse declaration is His bottom line regarding stuff. He is saying you may think you can straddle the fence regarding having things, but this is not at all true. Serving God is a beautiful, life changing eternal thing that impacts you for all eternity, and that includes this side of Heaven. Serving Mammon, which is serving money like it is god, is a huge trap. It will weigh you down.
Jesus Words
Jesus words are forceful, and you may not even believe Him, but that doesn't change the truth. You Can NOT serve money and serve God at the same time. Now, I am not saying having nice things is sinful, and I don't think Jesus is saying this either. Having stuff is fine but when it has you, then, you are in trouble. When it has you believing you are the "Master of your own destiny," then you are seriously deceived. Jesus Words, again, they are crystal clear as to what they mean, if you will listen: When Mamonas becomes the end all, and it becomes the BE all goal of you life, like numerous celebrities you will find just how much it can let you down or fail you. Just think of the celebrities or singers, who took their own lives in pursuit of fame and fortune. And you may just be fine handling the things you have, but you will not be fine, eternally, if those things are not held in stewardship before God. For all that we are blessed to have belongs to our Creator.
The First Commandment
I am thinking of the 10 commandments right now. And I am thinking of God's priority Number ONE: "You shall not have any gods other than Me." Money, therefore, cannot be a replacement for being yielded to the true and living God, through His Son Jesus, by the power of The Holy Spirit. Doing so really does not make the Almighty very happy. Nor will it give you authentic life. Sure, you may have invested wisely, gotten all those degrees to give you prestige, titles, or make you what you considered to be successful, but never forget that every good and perfect gift, as James says, comes directly from the Father. And so do all those abilities, degrees, successful investments, etc. And failing to acknowledge this indicates where you hearts treasure is. It also reveals your idolatry. Now, this might make you a bit angry. So be it. You cannot serve both God and money.
The Christian Race
Take a look at the picture at the very beginning of this blog. It's a drawing of a man running his race. You can see a brother in front of him who is finishing well. He has successfully completed his race. He easily, and without burden, crosses over into eternity, and he has nothing dragging him down. He probably had things, but he didn't let them consume him. He didn't have to love his stuff and not know God. He didn't let his things drag him down. Now look at the man who wants to run his race with a whole lot of possessions weighing him down. He is NOT finishing well at all. It's taking him everything he has just to make it to the finish line, if he makes it at all. He doesn't realize the life giving important lesson Jesus gives us that you cannot serve two masters. I bet he really hates it that he has had his priorities wrong, and he chose to serve money rather than God. To walk on Jesus "Stepping Stones for Victorious Christ Centered Living," Don't worship money! Worship God! Then you will finish well.
S o J o u r n e r.
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