“Hey! Listen to this! You know that extra sharp cheese we like? One dollar off! And we’re already saving at least twenty bucks with all these coupons. Praise the Lord!”
I hear this almost every Sunday as my wife Elizabeth crawls out from a mogul of newspaper ads wedged between the living room couches. You see, our 15 month old loves to make a giant mess of the Sunday paper ads until she’s pretty much buried in it… Amidst of this colorful tornado of recycled paper, Liz sits-up against the sofa and tears off coupons. With sharp penny saving elegance, my wife is “clipping coupons for the Lord”.
The fact we are financially blessed beyond our own wildest dreams only re-enforces our penny pinching attitude. Knowing that god will only bless us with exactly how much we can handle at any specific point in our earthly lives, Elizabeth and I are glad to enjoy living among the richest population on the planet. Still, we use coupons, and save money buying the very things we would buy otherwise. That money goes back toward the Lord’s works through the Calvary Chapel as well as this ministry and I know in my heart God is happier for it.
The word commands us to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
As we continue to strive toward reverse tithing (when one keeps only 10% and gives 90% back to the Lord), Elizabeth and I plan to follow God’s lead and love what we have. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have.” (Hebrews 13:5)
This message is not about tithing, it’s about what you do with dollar earned. Are you spending foolishly? Or living a life of excess? Would Jesus make similar choices with the money He allows you to have?
Difficult questions often sprout passionate answers this is why we invite any question you have pertaining to your lifestyle and how to angle it’s path toward heaven.
There’s more to our works than clipping coupons. Since we are indeed called to have faith while doing godly works, we all share in the responsibility that is volunteering, working pro bono or even showing respect for God’s earthly recyclable creations by making the most of Sunday ads. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26)
Are you not involved in God’s works? There are endless ways to serve through your church or this ministry, be careful to pursue the Lord’s plan for your life and put Him first every second of every day.
Do not be fooled into believing the road to heaven is easy. Daily bread is taken and given. Your works should include many things done in the name of the Lord and for the Lord. “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matthew 7:13)
Then there are those who bluntly defy the Lord and His church. Phony Christians enjoying what seems to be a free ride. The ones who run toward a day of judgment that could last forever. “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt.” (Hebrews 6:4-7)
The trick is to enjoy everything as we are entrusted to and continue to strive toward shameless entry into the kingdom of God. Achieve this by seeking your daily bread, both spiritual and physical feeding, then glorifying the Lord in all you do. You do know He’s watching, right?
If all the world’s distractions are causing you to have difficulty concentrating at the prize at the end of the road or if you are a new believer looking to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to pray this prayer…
Father God;
I thank you for all that you have blessed me with
And pray you will continue to look after me and those around me,
Providing everything we need to fulfill your mission for our lives
And rejoice with you in heaven for all eternity.
Lord I was made imperfect but seek perfection through you
Through your life on earth and heavenly promises,
Help me become more like you each day
Planting, mending and sowing seeds along the way.
Father guide my footsteps and lead the way
To good works done to honor you and your plan,
Shine your light bright upon me as I walk through darkness
That is the world I live in.
God we love you and thank you for all that surrounds us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
