Invest Wisely
Jesus calls us to invest our time, talent, and treasure to kingdom causes. He models a life built on giving God glory through how He lived out his divine design.
“Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?” Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter. Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob...He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?... serve with me for seven more years. Jacob did so...He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife."
Genesis 29:9-10, 15, 18, 22-23, 25, 27-28, 31, 35
Imagine if you had to work for seven years to earn the right to be able to marry another person. Jacob was so captivated by the love he had for Rachel that he worked not only for seven years, but for fourteen because of Laban's deception. The areas of your life that you invest the most time will have the greatest meaning to you. How much time are you investing in your relationship with Jesus? Has the free gift of grace lessened the depth of your appreciation or increased it?
“Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name...In his temple everything says, “Glory!”
Psalms 29:1-2, 9, 11
What does glory mean to you? How has the glory of God changed your life and how do you give God glory?
“The righteous care about justice for the poor...A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor...The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.”
Proverbs 29:7, 23, 25
Solomon reminds us that God is the only one worthy of our trust. How have the experiences of your life grown or shaken your trust? Imagine how Jacob must have felt when he trusted in Yahweh for Rachel only to be deceived by Laban. How do the actions of others impact our feelings about God? We know God is all powerful, but He allows us things to happen to us. Why is that?
“The humble also will increase their joy in Yahweh, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Therefore Yahweh, who redeemed Abraham, says...“Jacob shall no longer be ashamed...when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they will sanctify my name."
Isaiah 29:15, 18-19, 22-23
Why is it important to sanctify the name of the Lord? How does being humble increase a person's joy in God? Humility requires a right understanding of God's graceful provision, power, and presence. Humility results in gratitude and gratitude always unlocks joy in our lives.
“The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John...preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit...Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.” Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”
Mark 1:1, 6-11, 14-15, 17
If you asked a hundred people what Christians talk about would the response be good news? Often followers of Jesus are marked by judgment not joy. If we are to be people who live like Jesus then sharing the good news must be part of the patterns of our lives.
Mark leaves no doubt. Jesus is the Son of God who was baptized by the Holy Spirit and who preached the good news. Are we not supposed to be the same? God calls us by name, is pleased with us, desires that we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and in turn we go make a difference in the lives of the people we meet. How important is sharing the good news and giving God glory to you? How did God uniquely equip you to bring love and the message of peace through Christ? Whatever investment you make will be one that God multiplies the blessing and one that will give your life everlasting meaning.