Give While You Live, Know Where Its Goes

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(17) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (18) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (19) In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.’ (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

We saw in 2008 with the collapse of the housing market, and some financial failures (Lehman Brothers, for example) that helped cause many to lose their wealth, some overnight.  So far, the account holders of two banks that have failed this year, Silicon Valley and Signature, have not lost any money, though many in the stock market or in their 401Ks saw losses resulting from the financial stocks dropping from the controversies of these banks failing.  It’s another example of our way of storing treasure is not foolproof and can easily be turned upside down through a series of events.

The one thing we Christians should all be able to agree with is that money is not the currency we should be worried about.  (Concerned – yes, but worried – no.)  The currency of Christ is His gospel, and this is what we should be fully invested in!  It is something that we can share with others with our witness and sometimes we can see tangible results. 

It may not be done with real money (though that can help by way of donating to Christian causes) but through the commitment we have with our Savior, Jesus.  The money we have can (and will) go away, either during our lives or immediately upon death.  (No one has ever been successful in taking their money and stuff with them.)  So does the time we have, and so does the talents the Lord as blessed us with; all of it goes away upon assuming room temperature (if room temperature is not 98.6 F). 

A good philosophy is from philanthropist Percy Ross, who gave gifts to many people with genuine needs, as well as thousands of bicycles to children.  His mantra was ‘He who gives while he lives, knows where it goes.’  We know it’s OK to leave an inheritance for our children or our families, but it’s also important to give financially to those causes the Lord provides to you as worthy; to give of your time and talents where it is needed to promote God’s kingdom!