Is it your life?

“I once heard a story about how a certain group of people would catch monkeys. They would simply dig out a hole on the side of a tree and put some nuts in it. They would then leave it until a monkey would come over to pick the nuts. A monkey would stick its hand in the little hole, enough for it to just slide its hand in, and grab the nuts. The challenge would be when it tries to remove its hand from the hole. With the food clenched in its hand the fist would be bigger than the mouth of the hole.

The monkey would fight frantically for its life but not realize that all it needed to do is let go of what is in its hand

In the second part of our series: Your Money or your Life? We will attempt to answer the question, “Is it your life?”

In Luke 12:22-40, Jesus continues to respond to the problem of inheritance and possessions that had been brought  up. Jesus warns in verse 15; “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” He gave a story that showed that while we may have possessions, they have an owner. In fact even our own lives have an owner and he can call us at any time.

In Luke 12:22-40 Jesus further defines what should be important to us.

What life is not.

Look at the things that  define your life; if you woke up early on a typical day you will see parents and kids up in the dark preparing to leave for school or work. Maybe you are an early commuter too. The roads are busy with motorists, matatus, school buses, trains, ready to haul people to school or their places of work. People work very hard. Students have to toil for many hours and years. Adults have to put in long hours at their places of business or employment. This will go on for the entire day until late in the evening. Everyone will come back home to crash, barely having enough time to rest before another day. In addition, some may be in school after work to earn more certification that will improve their ability to earn a living or make more money.

We work very hard to eat, clothe ourselves, and to put shelter over our heads. If you do not push harder you may just not have something to eat. Overcome all odds and make ends meet. This seems to be what defines our life. Jesus seems to be saying something else here. “For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (Luke 12:23). If life is more than what we have always thought it is, what then makes up life?

The Lord Jesus says, look at creation. The birds in the air, and the plants. They are better fed and adorned without toiling as much as we do. We know we are more valuable than these things yet we continue to live in the same way.

Fear

We are afraid. We are afraid that we will not look successful. We are afraid that people may not consider us important. We are afraid that we may not have the pleasures of this life. We are afraid that we will starve, or have no shelter over our heads. We are afraid our lives may not be significant. That our children will suffer if we do not take care of them. When we give into fear we run around like a people who do not know the source of life.

“But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.” Luke 12:28,29

There is a distinction between those who have knowledge of the source of life and everyone else

 

“For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” Luke 12:30

The distinction is then what LIFE is

What is LIFE?

God is LIFE.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:1-4)

It would then make sense for Christ to point us towards LIFE. He knew that money and possessions probably are the greatest distraction from what we were made for.

We are distinguished from those in this world who live for possessions when we are connected to LIFE. It then means we have a purpose greater than just food and clothing. This purpose is found in our creator. Our mission is found in God’s mission.

What’s God’s Mission?

Jesus says that you and I are more important to God than the birds of the air.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1Jn 3:1)

It is this love that had taught us giving. He did not withhold anything. In fact it says here that the Father wants to share his kingdom with us. He is ready, if we are, to call us his own.

God is in the mission of redeeming his own. He wants to redeem people as well as all of creation.

My Mission

My mission is drawn from my master’s mission. God gives purpose to my life. My relationship with other people as well as possessions is defined by his mission.

He wants me to join him in the ministry of redemption. Redeeming other people as well as redeeming all of creation. I should busy myself as an agent of the Gospel. I should work hard to reclaim that which belongs to our Father from the world and use it for kingdom purposes.

The key to redeeming possessions is found in Luke 12:33; giving. God redeemed by giving his all. We learn to be like him by learning to give.

Like the monkey, we should ask the Lord to teach us to let go of that which we think we need for life to grasp that which is LIFE indeed.

Email Author: maina(at)life.or.ke

Is it your money?

What would you do if today you were disinherited? If land that you were entitled to was taken away; if you lost all your ability to earn a living (please note it is not just losing a job but perhaps your ability to work); if all your friends deserted you and your spouse left you? What would you do?

Think about it. Around you there are people you know who have been in such a place. It may have been you or your close relative. Perhaps you have read about such a story. Think about what their life was like.

READ: Luke 12:13-21

Whenever Jesus taught about the subject of possessions and money he seems very harsh to those who own much, the wealthy. He seems like he is out to cut them down and reduce them to size. Think about it

• The rich young ruler and the difficulty for the rich to enter heaven; Matt 19:16 onwards.
• Lazarus and the rich man: Luke 16:20
• The widow who gave a mite; Luke 21

It would seem that he was against the wealthy. But there is a tension here. Look at Abraham. The book of Hebrews is filled with praise for the father of the nation of Israel. How he was a man of faith and he pleased God greatly. Abraham was a wealthy man!

What is it that Jesus seems to be confronting about riches in the New Testament?

Luke 12:13 Jesus is asked to arbitrate between brothers. There was an underlying problem here. If the father had died and left the inheritance to them, why would there be a problem dividing it? Jesus saw right through the underlying problem. He responds but seemingly ignoring what we would think is the problem. He seems to tell them, you must find a solution yourself.

He then gives them a sharp warning. Luke 12:15 “Then Jesus said to them, “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. People do not get life from the many things they own.” Jesus seems to be saying the root of your problem is greed and what defines you.

Watch out against Greed!

I am not greedy, you may think. And perhaps you are not. But Jesus here seems to be indicating that greed comes in many forms and we need to be always on the lookout. Jesus seems to be saying something else is more important and greed will distract you from it. Other verses say, “Watch out against all forms of covetousness.” Greed is sin. The Bible is full of warnings against greed; it is a trap Prov 11:6, it angers God Isaiah 57:17, it is evil Rom 1:29 it exploits! And as we have seen here, it comes in many forms. Watch out and guard against greed.

Faces of greed:

1. Sometimes when you feel you need to move because your house is too small, could it be that you have accumulated too much?
2. If you do not own a car, why do you want one? Is it because of function or because your friend has one?
3. I am due to upgrade my phone. The last one I had just died. However, I may have wished it dead when I started desiring a smart phone. When you upgrade your phone, what informs it?
4. What do you feel like when you hear about the money people are making at Malili?

Greedy persons have no place in the Kingdom of God. ” For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Eph 5:5 ISV)”

We need to know we cannot avoid greed or covetousness altogether but we must watch out that we do not fall into it. If we do, we must be quick to repent and make things right altogether.

Think about situations where you may have acted out of greed. Take a moment and repent. Ask the Lord to forgive you for being greedy. Ask him to show you how to correct the situation.

What defines you?

If I asked you to introduce yourself how would you do it? Jesus in verse 15 says that “your life does not constitute your possessions.” Let us for a moment think about ourselves. When you go to a high school or college reunion what are some of the things that go on there? People would be eager to catch up with you, but in many cases, it is to compare themselves with their peers. What car do you drive? Where do you work? What does your wife (or husband) look like? Perhaps you are not bothered by all these things but I compare myself with others all the time. It is harder for me not to do this. This is because that is how we are wired.

Jesus says my life is not about what I own. What does that mean? So how should I introduce myself? How should I feel when someone who is so much younger than me or my peer brags about their achievements? We each have to answer these questions about ourselves from time to time. Next week we will explore what then constitutes our life.

Jesus deals with these two things: The state of our heart and what defines us.

Whose money is it then?

If it is not my money, whose is it then?

Jesus in Luke 12:16-21 goes on to tell them a story. Jesus tells stories to get the message home. Now this was a serious matter! This is a matter that can cause brothers to kill each other. This is a matter of life and death. The Jewish culture was very much like African culture. Inheritance was something to fight for ‘tooth and nail’. Jesus seems to think it is not as important as something else.

As we read the story again, pay particular interest to two things

• What the rich owner says
• What the rich owner’s owner says

Reread this portion carefully: Luke 12:16-21

What stands out to you?

From I to I AM

The rich man was so full of I’s he lost sight of I AM. Isn’t it amazing to note how he was full of himself? He had clearly been blessed with a good crop of food on his land. It is interesting to listen to the winners of lottery on television these days and what they will do with their winnings. But put yourself in the shoes of this man. You have been blessed greatly. I will probably think just like he did. As a good Kenyan I will buy a plot of land or perhaps a large tract of land. I would put some in the FB IPO, I would then move my kids to the schools I have always desired to take them to, I would buy another car, perhaps a higher 4WD car, I would get a bigger house, put money in a place where it would earn me more money to live on. This way I can stop hustling, eat, drink and be happy!

 

Watch out for I!

The I in most cases gets in the way of I AM. As long as I have me seated on the throne of my life, I cannot have time or space for I AM.

 

King Nebuchadnezzer fell for it in Daniel 4:29-33. He bragged about his might and how he had been able to build a great city. We should watch when we are no longer dependent on the one who gives us the ability to make wealth, Deut 8:18.

 

The I is driven by greed and self-advancement. This is Idolatry as we have seen above.

 

Watch out for I AM!

Let us not go about our business as though we do not have a Maker. We have been entrusted alot by the one who calls himself I AM. When God sent Moses in Ex 3 he introduced himself as I AM.

 

A name that denotes what he is in himself, I AM THAT I AM. This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies, 1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of himself. 2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. 3. That he is incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God. 4. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature;

 

Psalm 24:1  All else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon him.

 

Lift up your eyes to the I AM.

• King Nebuchadnezzer finally looked up to heaven in Dan 4:34-37 and he was restored. He is recorded here to have praised and worshipped God.

 

• Luke 19:8, Zacheus looked and saw God and immediately knew what he ought to do.

 

You too can do the same. How can we practically do this?

 

Take Stock

It is very easy to think that those who are obviously wealthy are blessed. God calls each one of us to look at what He has given us. Be aware that the evil one wants to cover our eyes to God’s blessings in our lives. We must learn to take stock.

One way of taking stock is by keeping records. Imagine if the corporations whose shares you have bought did not keep proper records. How would you know their worth. How would you know how well they are using your investment? How come we do the same with what God has entrusted us with? Begin right away to take stock of what you have received and what you spend on. Keep simple records of money transactions. Walk around with a notebook. Record everything. Trust me, when you do this it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Give up the deed

• Consult God on what the purpose of him blessing you is. Abraham was blessed so he may be a blessing to others. Be open when he instructs you. Devise a purpose driven plan to make and use resources.
• Honor the LORD with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. (Pro 3:9)
• Give Luke 6:38, Give and it will come back to you…With the same measure you give, so will God give you.
• Be content, “For we did not bring anything into the world, and surely we cannot take anything out of it. So as long as we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with these.(1Ti 6:6-8 ISV)”

Next week, Is it my LIFE? From My life to His LIFE

Prime Perspective

Reblogged from Lifespring Chapel:

Stewardship is a matter of perspective. Simply put, “who is my master?”

Psalm 24:1 says, “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” God created the universe and all that is in it. Besides Himself, everything else was made by him.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Read more… 241 more words

Warning!

1 Make a loud cry, do not be quiet, let your voice be sounding like a horn, and make clear to my people their evil doings, and to the family of Jacob their sins. 2 Though they make prayer to me every day, and take pleasure in the knowledge of my ways: like a nation which has done righteousness, and has not given up the rules of their God, they make requests to me for the right orders, it is their delight to come near to God. 3 They say, Why have we kept ourselves from food, and you do not see it? why have we kept ourselves from pleasure, and you take no note of it? If, in the days when you keep from food, you take the chance to do your business, and get in your debts; 4 If keeping from food makes you quickly angry, ready for fighting and giving blows with evil hands; your holy days are not such as to make your voice come to my ears on high. 5 Have I given orders for such a day as this? a day for keeping yourselves from pleasure? is it only a question of the bent head, of putting on haircloth, and being seated in the dust? is this what seems to you a holy day, well-pleasing to the Lord?
6 Is not this the holy day for which I have given orders: to let loose those who have wrongly been made prisoners, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the crushed go free, and every yoke be broken? 7 Is it not to give your bread to those in need, and to let the poor who have no resting-place come into your house? to put a robe on the unclothed one when you see him, and not to keep your eyes shut for fear of seeing his flesh?
8 Then will light be shining on you like the morning, and your wounds will quickly be well: and your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will come after you. 9 Then at the sound of your voice, the Lord will give an answer; at your cry he will say, Here am I. If you take away from among you the yoke, the putting out of the finger of shame, and the evil word; 10 And if you give your bread to those in need of it, so that the troubled one may have his desire; then you will have light in the dark, and your night will be as the full light of the sun: 11 And the Lord will be your guide at all times; in dry places he will give you water in full measure, and will make strong your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like an ever-flowing spring. 12 And your sons will be building again the old waste places: you will make strong the bases of old generations: and you will be named, He who puts up the broken walls, and, He who makes ready the ways for use.
13 If you keep the Sabbath with care, not doing your business on my holy day; and if the Sabbath seems to you a delight, and the new moon of the Lord a thing to be honoured; and if you give respect to him by not doing your business, or going after your pleasure, or saying unholy words; 14 Then the Lord will be your delight; and I will put you on the high places of the earth; and I will give you the heritage of Jacob your father: for the mouth of the Lord has said it. 1 Truly, the Lord’s hand has not become short, so that he is unable to give salvation; and his ear is not shut from hearing:
2 But your sins have come between you and your God, and by your evil doings his face has been veiled from you, so that he will give you no answer. 3 For your hands are unclean with blood, and your fingers with sin; your lips have said false things, and your tongue gives out deceit. 4 No one puts forward an upright cause, or gives a true decision: their hope is in deceit, and their words are false; they are with child with sin, and give birth to evil. 5 They give birth to snake’s eggs, and make spider’s threads: whoever takes their eggs for food comes to his death, and the egg which is crushed becomes a poison-snake. 6 Their twisted threads will not make clothing, and their works will give them nothing for covering themselves: their works are works of sin, and violent acts are in their hands. 7 Their feet go quickly to evil, and they take delight in the death of the upright; their thoughts are thoughts of sin; wasting and destruction are in their ways. 8 They have no knowledge of the way of peace, and there is no sense of what is right in their behaviour: they have made for themselves ways which are not straight; whoever goes in them has no knowledge of peace. 9 For this cause our right is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us: we are looking for light, but there is only the dark; for the shining of the sun, but our way is in the night. 10 We go on our way, like blind men feeling for the wall, even like those who have no eyes: we are running against things in daylight as if it was evening; our place is in the dark like dead men. 11 We make noises of grief, like bears, and sad sounds like doves: we are looking for our right, but it is not there; for salvation, but it is far from us. Isaiah 58:1-59:11 (Bible in Basic English)

Celebration at Lifespring Syokimau

This far the Lord has brought us…

Let the Little Children Come!

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So what if we have the poor?

We recently visited mama Kyengo in Mukuru Kwa Njenga. For those of you who know Lifespring Chapel’s location, a drive to Mukuru is a circuitous route. A walk there is more direct. However, the contrast in economic & environmental standard of living is stark. Around Pipeline we have residential homes that are in secured gated estates. A few hundred meters westwards the population density increases. People are living in smaller concrete flats. As you move on, you will end up in the tin roofed neighbourhood of Mukuru.

We drove there until we could drive no more. We got out and walked the rest of the way skipping the open sewers. Of course we stood out as outsiders. You notice the industriousness of the people there despite the difficult living conditions. On some you will notice an occasional smile, on others the frown of hassling.

Finally we arrived at the 10 x 10 room; Kyengo’s mum’s home. She quickly hassled to get her guests extra seats so we can be comfortable. The room had a single door that served as the source of natural light and ventilation.

Our visit there was brief, yet we could not ignore her plight. Neither could we ignore the plight of her neighbours and the residents of the slum. Zoom out a little and consider Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, and the extents of the earth. There are wars, famines, genocides, calamities, homelessness, tsunamis, floods, cholera outbreaks, racism, and the list can go on.

The state of the world can paralyse anyone. There is so much helplessness. The subject of poverty has been interrogated and discussed by many people for many years. It is constantly in the lips of national leaders, the UN, NGOs, Churches and you can add to the list. Will this ever be resolved? Will it come to an end?

But then, Jesus also said these words, “For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." John 12:8 He spoke these words in response to Judas’ comment that Martha should not have wasted the expensive perfume on Jesus.

When dealing with this subject, we should seek to answer these questions

Whose people are these?

Who’s Mission is it?

What counts?

I welcome dialogue on this subject to all who would care to consider it.

Victorious Living: WOW, what a God!

“After these things I saw a great army of people more than might be numbered, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and languages, taking their places before the high seat and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and with branches in their hands, Saying with a loud voice, Salvation to our God who is seated on the high seat, and to the Lamb. And all the angels were round about the high seat, and about the rulers and the four beasts; and they went down on their faces before the high seat, and gave worship to God, saying, So be it. Let blessing and glory and wisdom and praise and honour and power and strength be given to our God forever and ever. So be it.” (Rev 7:9-12)

We were made to worship. If your desire to get to heaven is to avoid hell, you are in for a miserable eternity. On the other hand, if you are drawn to heaven by the desire to worship God eternally, then you have to begin practicing worship now.

Is worship singing slow songs? Is worship only possible at a worship service?

Read Matt 22:38-40 and compare with Deut 6:4, 5 and Exodus 20

What does it mean to love the Lord?

Loving him with all your heart

Loving him with all your soul

Loving him with all your mind

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to give you a place in his glory, free from all evil, with great joy, To the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, let us give glory and honour and authority and power, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 BBE

Victorious Living: When heavens are quiet

Casting Crowns sang these words in their song Praise you in the storm, “I was sure by now/ that you would have reached down/ and wiped our tears away/ stepped in and saved the day/ but once again/ I say “Amen,” and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls/I barely hear you whisper through the rain/”I am with you”/and as your mercy falls/I raise my hands and praise the God gives/and takes away.”

Sometimes we feel abandoned. Trouble seems to follow us without relenting. Everything seems to go wrong. We are very close to quitting and wonder where God is.

These are questions the world asks regarding all the pain in the world. If God is loving, why all the wars, disease and pain. Things will not always be easy. In fact, those who are wicked will appear to be living better lives.

Where is God in all this?

Reflect on Romans 9

What does it mean that God is Absolutely Sovereign?

Compare with Romans 8

How is God’s love expressed to those He has chosen?

How then Shall we live?

Study Hebrews 11

What is Faith?

What examples of faith do we find here?

How should we live? Give practical examples.

Wise choice: Reflect on John 16:20-22

The chorus of Casting Crown’s song: “I’ll praise you in this storm and will lift my hands, for you are who you are no matter where I am. Every tear I’ve cried you hold in your hand, you never left my side. And though my heart is torn I will praise you in the storm.”