A Good Time to Give?
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:19-24
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
Your checkbook may be your most telling spiritual ledger. In line with Jesus’ teaching, finding out where your real values lie might better be done by examining your checkbook rather than by listing your favorite Bible passages.
What do you spend money on? Of course, food, shelter, transportation, and other material needs take up a lot of our resources. Does this mean that our hearts are most attached to these things? I hope not.
But do you also put your money where your heart is? Do you enjoy giving to Christian causes? Do you happily offer from your blessings to people who are in need?
Don’t think there will be some better time to give than now. When you are a teen, you may have a part-time job. Then in your twenties, you may gain an entry-level position and must pay back student loans. In your thirties, you may have the obligations of a home and family. Then, when you’re in your forties, your kids are in school and household expenses are high. In your fifties and sixties, your kids may be in college, and time is running out to save for retirement. You hope your resources will last through old age!
There is no easy time to give. But at all points in life, our use of money is a leading indicator of the love of our heart. Where is your heart?
Bountiful God, may the ledger of our money be the measure of our love. Touch our hearts so that we may put our resources at your service. Amen.
About the author — Kent Van Til
Kent Van Til was a missionary in Costa Rica. He taught theological ethics both there and in the USA. He is the author of four books. The most recent is a spiritual biography of his grandmother entitled, "A Name for Herself: A Dutch Immigrant's Story." Kent likes to fish, hunt, make music, and entertain his grandchildren.
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