Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
Let
everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Amidst the ways that money impacts our lives
(in the last four weeks we have looked at work, worry, wants, waste) we now
come to consider a usage of money that brings us great joy and fulfillment. Any
“personal money manifesto” with no room for the relationship between money and
worship would be a very limited and ultimately sad list of beliefs/goals. Our
attitudes toward, and usage of money reflects our hearts, and it is from the
heart that true worship comes.
WORSHIP – Though worship is accompanied and
assisted by many outward forms and practices, the Bible clearly communicates to
us that our God looks at and cares most about the heart. He knows the status of
my heart. He knows when there is a disconnect between my heart and anything I
might be doing or saying in any given moment. When I attend worship services
and do the things we do there (sing, pray, give, listen to preaching, etc.),
God knows if/when I am worshipping and when I am not. The actions in and of
themselves are not true worship – unless they are accompanied and motivated by
love, praise, gratitude, and trust that fill the heart of the worshipper. A
heart that is empty of these produces a life that is empty of worship,
regardless of what outward visible or audible activities one might engage in at
a church building, worship service, or other such setting. Only God knows how
much or how little actual worship is taking place in the individual believer
and in the gathering of any people for the purpose of worshipping God.
All of life is a vehicle for worship and an
opportunity for thanksgiving and praise. You do not need a liturgy. You do not
need a pew. You do not need a song leader or preacher. Now, I like some of
those things (especially since I am a preacher), but you don’t go through life
with them constantly with you. They do not accompany you to the office (or
wherever your job takes you). They are not in your house or your car. They are
not at family meals or with you when you go for a hike or a run. None of them
are with you all the time. But God is, and only God is. Therefore, if God is
ever-present to you, you can worship Him in a variety of circumstances, and
actually, in all circumstances. If one or more of these are present in your
heart – love, praise, gratitude, trust – in a real way – wherever you may be
and whatever you may be doing – then you are worshipping. And hopefully,
worship is actually happening in the church building on Sunday mornings too.
There is a potential – for every single time
you handle money (or some type of financial transaction) – for you and I to
worship God – for love for, praise to, gratitude to, or trust in Him to be
filling our heart and/or motivating that action or attitude. For example, how
much does grumbling, complaining, or worrying about money result in worshipping
God? None at all. Since all of my money and possessions come from God, I am
constantly afforded an opportunity for a heart full of gratitude. When I “give
up” money for an end that glorifies God (such as meeting the needs of others),
I am being moved by love. When I release “my” money for some work of the
Kingdom of God, I am declaring my trust in the Lord to take care of me without
that money being mine anymore. When I am filled with thankfulness and “just
feel like” sharing or giving in some way, I am pointing my heart and life to
God. Money is a great vehicle for worshipping God. It’s such a prominent part
of life. So why not “capture it” for the glory of God? I think if we don’t do
this, then we must be wary, for money will capture our hearts if our hearts are
not first and foremost captured by love for God, praise and gratitude
to
God, and trust in God.
Therefore…
-
I will seek to be generous, so that I might become more like the
Lord I love. (Philippians 4:19)
-
I will seek to be intentional with my attitudes about giving, so
that my giving will always be true worship.
-
I will seek to connect all my financial thoughts and dealings with
love, praise, gratitude, or trust in my heart for God.
-
I will seek stop doing anything with money that I cannot connect
in some way to worship of the Lord.
-
I will seek to be thankful in all circumstances – especially
financial ones – so that God may be glorified (1
Thessalonians 5:18)… and to live with joy.
-
I will seek to be an example and encouragement to my brothers and
sisters in Christ of what comes forth from a heart filled with love, praise,
gratitude, and faith for God.
-
I will seek to keep my giving from ever becoming an action that is
for my self-promotion, for people to love me or think more highly of me, or for
any self-centered motive. I cannot worship God when I am the object of my
giving.
-
I will seek to treasure the Lord as so much more valuable… above
all other things and all other persons.
Would you add anything to my list?
May the Lord be gracious to us. He knows when
love, praise, gratitude, and faith are not present in our hearts.
Without Him, and without the help of the Holy Spirit, all our attempts at
worship – including those related to money – will fail. By His grace and mercy,
we shall actually worship. God is good.
John 4:23-24 (NIV)
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they
are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and
in truth."
Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) 36
"Teacher,
which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus
replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and
greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and
the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
1 Corinthians
10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for
the glory of God.
Matthew
6:21 (NIV) For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
PRAYER: Father, fill my heart with love… praise…
gratitude… and faith… all directed to you. Let these cover all my thoughts and
dealings with money… for your glory. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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