Jesus Said... 2

WEEK TWO 

I hope everyone felt encouraged by last week’s readings and questions. We learned how God certainly cares for us when we trust in Him, when we seek the Kingdom of God above all else, there is no need to worry. I once heard that worrying is sinning because it is a lack of faith, a fullness of doubt. Definitely makes sense, but if worry is sin, how much have you sinned today? The opposite of this is trust, and trust in Jesus is what brings peace of mind and heart, the only cure that is available nowhere else.  I am so thankful for the gift of peace of mind and heart that Jesus left us with; I pray I choose to utilize it daily!

This week we’ll look at what Jesus said on the topic of our “stuff”. We read last week not to worry about what we are going to eat or wear, but what if these things don’t just consume our minds, but our hearts. We live in a culture of abundance; even the families that live paycheck-to-paycheck in this country (present!) are for sure “wealthy” compared to most of the world. (i.e., half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. Source: World Bank, 2005) So this week may be challenging to hear, it’s definitely in opposition to what society might tell us, but ask God to slowly change your heart to be more like His and He can! Just spending time in His Word can start big changes. (This week I put all questions under the verse they refer to. Try one-a -day to give yourself time to really think and pray on them.)

Here’s what Jesus said about…

Our Money, Possessions, & Riches.

Matthew 6:19-21

                -Where are your beloved treasures stored right now? 
                 Jesus said that’s where our heart's at too.

Matthew 19:21

-Does this give a better understanding of what “store your treasures in heaven” from Matt 6:20 might mean?

Luke 6:24-25

-If our happiness is found only in our money, dining, luxuries, and good times, what does Jesus say we will have to look forward to?

Luke 12:16-21

- This parable (story with a lesson) is like Jesus’ version of “Hoarders” from 2,000 years ago! What is it that you hang on to that you think will make you happy?

-Jesus said a fool is a person who _______________, 

  but does not have a _______________. (verse 21)

Luke 21:1-4

-Should giving depend on what’s leftover (your surplus)? How does giving like the woman did relate back to last week’s topic of worrying vs. trusting?

Lord, thank You for giving us godly financial advice. And I pray that my relationship with you will always be my greatest treasure.  Help me to loosen my grip on my stuff and reach out to You instead. Amen.

Legacy

It's a pretty somber day in Happy Valley, especially after losing a legend, THEIR legend.  After Joe Paterno died yesterday at the same hospital I delivered my son at just months ago, I can't help but feel like we need to seize the time we are given here and DO something. What a huge impact one guy had on a town, a sport, a university and even way beyond that. We are all leaving eventually (as in coming and going or gone forever) and we should all have our legacy in mind. A legacy leaves behind more than an inheritance ever could. It's much deeper. Money can be spent quickly, but impacts can last and last.

I came across these words this morning and I thought it was very fitting to share. Our generation was bred to strive for "success", but what about "significance"? Here's the difference:

"The successful person has learned how to make money, but the significant person has learned how to give it away - how to be generous, to share the blessings of money with those who are in need or those who help to meet a variety of social/humanitarians needs.

The successful person has achieved great things - sadly sometimes at the expense of others. He or she is proud of what has already been accomplished. The significant person understands that the greatest thing anyone can accomplish is to serve others and to help them achieve their goals.

Finally, successful people have attained a measure of status. Others look up to them and maybe even see them as role models. We often discover later that those who have become our role models let us down. They turn out to be something less than we had hoped. In direct contrast, the significant person is one who values relationships. They become trusted friends and invaluable mentors, and they invest their time in others rather than in striving to build status."*

Instead of asking "how much money can I make", think instead "how much of myself can I give"... sharing resources, serving people, and nourishing relationships. That's whats gonna last!

So are you aiming to be merely successful or lastingly significant? Think about your own legacy today.


And please keep the Paterno's, Penn State, and State College in your prayers

*Quote from the book The Generosity Factor by business guru Ken Blanchard and CEO S. Truett Cathy