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When it comes to money and heaven, it has often been said, “You can’t take it with you but you can send it on ahead.” Enjoy this fun, fanciful story that is a good reminder of that valuable truth.
A wealthy man died and went to heaven. On his “tour” of the celestial city, he came to a beautiful home. “Who lives there?” the man asked. The angel answered, “When on earth, this man was a gas attendant.”
The rich man declared, “Some kid pumped gas and this is his home! I can’t wait to see mine.”
After a while, they came across a magnificent mansion. “Wow!” the rich man said, “who lives here?” “This lady was a nurse,” the angel replied. The rich man was really excited now!
As they walked along, the homes got smaller and smaller. Eventually they came to a tiny eight-by-eight foot shack, with no windows and only a piece of cloth for a door. They both stood there for a moment. “Man, what poor chap lives here?” The angel held his hand out to the little bungalow, “This is your home, sir.”
“I don’t understand. There must be some mistake. Why is my home so tiny?”
The angel replied, “Well, I am dreadfully sorry, sir, but it’s all we could build with what you sent in advance.”
This man did not understand the biblical principle of being heavenly minded with his earthly finances. The same is true of a lot of Christians; they fail to have a biblical perspective of money or the stewardship of money – that we are the managers of what God has provided.
It is very tempting to think that everything I have is mine to do with however I want. Many Christians have a little better understanding and realize the necessity of giving of their resources to the Lord in worship. But they make the mistake that 10% belongs to the Lord and everything else is theirs to use as they like. But the Bible is very clear, friends: Everything we have belongs to the Lord. Thankfully He is generous to provide for our needs and even our desires. But He calls us to use some of that provision to further His great kingdom.
As we looked at last Sunday, Christian stewardship is more than the management of things. It is my refusal to let things manage me. There is nothing wrong with money, in and of itself, unless you are a greedy person. It is not Money that is the problem. Rather, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Money is a leading indicator of the condition of your heart. As Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Our understanding and use of money, therefore, can be a leading indicator of our spiritual condition. As Randy Alcorn, best-selling Christian author (including the wonderful little book “The Treasure Principle”) describes it, “As surely as the compass needle follows north, your heart will follow your treasure. Money leads; hearts follow.” Amen and amen!
This Sunday, March 19, we will continue our teaching series – Money Matters! – with “The Treasure Principle!” to learn 5 Biblical principles of Christian Stewardship: 1. My Heart always goes where I put God’s Money. 2. Heaven, Not Earth, is My Home. 3. Live for the Line, not the Dot. 4. Giving is the Antidote to Materialism. 5. God Prospers Me, Not to Raise My Standard of Living, but to Raise My Standard of Giving. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday morning at 10:35am to both locations.
Coming Up: The 58th Hawaii Assemblies of God District Conference will take place March 27-29 at First AG (Red Hill). The evening services are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend. Roneel Chaudhary with Chi Alpha Hawaii, the ministry to students at UH, will speak on Sunday, April 2. Resurrection Sunday will be April 9.
Aloha ke Akua!