Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.....
It's easy to think of giving of our time, talents and treasures as us blessing God and others-- almost deserving of a pat on the back-- but in fact they are blessings from Him that we should use for His Glory. Recall Matthew 25:14-30 where God separates the sheep and the goats. The King (the Son of Man, or Jesus) of the Kingdom pronounces blessing on those who served those in prison, the sick, hungry and thirsty. He pronounces judgement on those who have not. Both group's fate is determined by a heavenly standard that the Lord desires to see on earth. In this we see eternal consequences for how we express(or don't express) loving kindness to the poor and the broken.
What if God is choosing us to be the vehicles for His will, and attaching eternal weight to the most important parts as incentive? His Kingdom is coming, and He uses us to help bring it to earth.
Lord, help us to see the things you've given us to steward through eternal eyes. You've placed eternal emphasis on the least of these, and given us gifts and talents to serve others. Help us to act as if your Kingdom is coming on earth by living and working toward your heavenly standard of stewardship and loving well. Amen.
It's easy to think of giving of our time, talents and treasures as us blessing God and others-- almost deserving of a pat on the back-- but in fact they are blessings from Him that we should use for His Glory. Recall Matthew 25:14-30 where God separates the sheep and the goats. The King (the Son of Man, or Jesus) of the Kingdom pronounces blessing on those who served those in prison, the sick, hungry and thirsty. He pronounces judgement on those who have not. Both group's fate is determined by a heavenly standard that the Lord desires to see on earth. In this we see eternal consequences for how we express(or don't express) loving kindness to the poor and the broken.
What if God is choosing us to be the vehicles for His will, and attaching eternal weight to the most important parts as incentive? His Kingdom is coming, and He uses us to help bring it to earth.
Lord, help us to see the things you've given us to steward through eternal eyes. You've placed eternal emphasis on the least of these, and given us gifts and talents to serve others. Help us to act as if your Kingdom is coming on earth by living and working toward your heavenly standard of stewardship and loving well. Amen.
