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Your Turn To Spend Wisely
by Shelly Huston
When we prioritize building wealth for selfish gain over surrendering ourselves to following Jesus first as we manage our resources, we will struggle between the two. The demands of these two masters will always compete.
When you read through the many chapters of my life legacy, I don’t believe the header will ever read, ‘Building Wealth for Myself.’ Instead, I pray it will always be about following Jesus first.
I’ve learned many life lessons from my first pastor, my dad, not just from the pulpit but also from watching my parents practice what they preached. Even when they had little, they gave. I watched as my parents bought groceries for families in need, housed a homeless man, bought a bus ticket for a stranger, and helped pastors from other countries who knew no one and needed connections. My parents were faithful stewards of what they had been given.
As they invested their talents, I learned to invest mine. I expected myself to give all that I had and empty my pocketbook until it was literally exhausted. Is that really what God asks us to do with our resources/talents?
It’s our turn to spend our resources wisely. Today’s teaching encouraged us to be intentional with our finances. To create margin in our lives and be wise savers and prudent spenders. I’m reminding myself, and possibly others, to apply that to my energy, time, and talents. To not exhaust all those resources at work, at church, at home, or completely with family. To remember to lavish them on the things God cares about, as well as keep some in the margin for someone in need.
If we forgo the culture of spend/save/give and pursue the give/save/spend 10/10/80% plan, it forces us to trust God. If we give out of what God has given us financially, could it also apply to other talents? Instead of being depleted this week and exhausting all my energies in my usual fashion, what if I reserve 10% of my emotional energy to deposit into someone’s life this week when they are in need? Hypothetically, what could God accomplish in and through me if I were to do that?
Where does my mindset need to shift on what God has provided me? Do I believe that he has provided for me, and that all I have belongs to him?
If yes, how can I manage these resources wisely to honor him?
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The Book of Acts Reading Plan:
This Fall-Winter we will be diving into the Book of Acts. For context, check out these brief videos on the major themes in Acts from our friends at The Bible Project.
[Monday, August 26]
Acts 6:8-15
Have you ever faced a setback when you were doing God’s will? Was there a time when you lost your motivation to serve? Have you ever felt discouraged when you felt you were following God’s direction, and things didn’t work out like you thought they would? How did this affect your faithfulness? Did it throw you off course?
[Tuesday, August 27]
Acts 7:1-8
A lie was formed against Stephen, who was brought before the top ruling body at the time for judgment. Like Stephen, we, too, may face persecution. It may be from self-appointed ‘saints’ determined to convince others that eliminating you is the solution. They may cooperate with the enemy because of their heart biases and jealousy. They often hurl slanderous untruths sent to get us off course; their goal is to discourage, distract, defeat, or divide us. Have you ever felt persecuted or singled out in the workplace for your faith? If so, how did you handle it? If it happened again, is there anything you would do differently? Or if it happened for the first time in your life, how would it affect you and your employment there? Are there any heart biases to which you believe God is drawing your attention?
[Wednesday, August 28]
Acts 7:9-22
Even when it seems God has forsaken us…. He is with us. God brought Joseph through all this because he was preparing him to rule and reign. Each step of preparation was necessary. Are there steps God is taking you through that are necessary to develop you into the leader you are meant to be? Where is God asking you to trust him, to follow him? What is holding you back? What three good things could happen if you trust he is with you in this challenge?
[Thursday, August 29]
Acts 7:23-43
In this passage we see how people through out time missed the presence of God, of Jesus, when it was right in front of them. God, may conviction fall afresh on me. May my friends and I, reading today, not follow in the steps of the religious leaders of Stephen’s day. May we not miss Jesus in our daily coming and going. May we be searching for him and listening for his nudges to be his representative in this life.
[Friday, August 30]
Acts 7:44-59
Does God find a resting place for the Holy Spirit in me? Is our relationship in a place where he can be at ease, or are we in disagreement about how I’m approaching some aspect of my life or relationship? Is there an area where I am resisting the Holy Spirit? Is there a message Jesus is trying to speak into my life that I refuse to hear, like the religious leaders? If so, Jesus, what is it? Open my ears to hear once more.
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{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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