It's Worth Getting Burned Back in the autumn of 1994, when I was in seminary at Trinity, Terri and I were privileged to hear John Piper speak for our school’s Rom Theological lectures. They were three messages that proved a watershed for us both theologically and personally. John’s vision that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him opened us up to a whole new understanding of God, ourselves and all of life. Ever since then one of my favorite annual events has been his Bethlehem Conference for Pastors. Some of you have attended, and you know how stimulating it can be. A few weeks ago I received in the mail John’s flier-invitation revealing this year’s keynote speaker: Randy Alcorn. I knew little of Randy, but John raved about a little book he’s written called The Treasure Principle – a book about biblical generosity. I was unsatisfied with my lack of generosity in 2003 and thought Randy’s book would prove the kick in the pants I needed. Therefore, just before Christmas I bought it. I could never have anticipated how it would shake my world, give me a new perspective on life, increase my faith in God and change my priorities. The Bible’s perspective on money is not a new thing to me. I have long understood Proverbs’ wisdom sayings on wise financial management, Jesus’ teachings on laying up treasure in heaven and Paul’s bold appeals to give joyfully in 2 Corinthians. I even preached a series on giving in the church we served in Iowa more than five years ago. I’ve known it in my head – and some of it in my heart – for years. But something is changing today. It is as if all my knowledge about joyous, sacrificial giving has been piling up like a heap of firewood and drying for the past fifteen years, and now the Lord sent along this little book (only 92 pages) as a match and the fire is now lit and beginning to blaze! I so want you all to join me in this new passion, knowing that a heightened, radical trust of the Lord for provision to spread His fame will only bring Him more honor and glory. Here in America, where we have so much and the lust for more is epidemic, it is easy for us to believe the lie that this world is our home and its ‘treasures’ are worthy of our investment. That defines the world most of us grew up in – live to get, not live to give. Sadly, in this regard most of us Christians are indistinguishable from the world. Not only our credit card statements but our attitude toward our possessions betrays our hearts. Alcorn gives an example with which I can resonate:
Ouch! We have a new bathroom in our house, and I have to admit that I am now too concerned about keeping it nice. It’s no longer serving me; I’m serving it. Randy offers another scenario:
Double ouch!! The bottom line is this: Do I really believe Jesus when He says in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”? If I really believe it and have committed to serving God alone, then my pursuit of possessions must change and become a pursuit to lay up treasures in heaven (6:19). That means I will take every opportunity to write bigger checks to church and missionaries and world relief organizations and crisis pregnancy centers. It means I won’t give merely a token ten percent of my income to God and treat the rest like it’s mine to do with what I like. But how can I do that? Personally speaking, by throwing book catalogs in the garbage when they come in the mail without even looking at them. Maybe for you it means driving past the mall instead of into its parking lot when you need nothing inside. Perhaps it means limiting yourselves to one or two gifts apiece at Christmas. It would mean many changes for all of us if we truly put into action what Jesus is saying. Later in Matthew 19:29 Jesus says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” He’s not talking about the sacrifices forced upon persecuted believers. He’s talking about voluntary giving that eagerly walks away from what this world prizes most to gain what heaven prizes most. God’s question to each one of us is this: Why are you holding on to so much wealth (i.e. everything above what you need to live on) when I’ve promised you a return of 10,000 percent if you give it to Me now? Good question. How will we answer it? John Wesley once said, “Money never stays with me. It would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find its way into my heart.” I can honestly answer that I am not living that way, and I want to change. My fire is burning. Do you want to join me in the blaze? It will certainly burn up much of what’s currently in our pockets and no doubt it will hurt, but in so doing it will light a candle to shine the gospel where now there is only darkness. Sometimes its worth getting burned. |
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