Just a short word –
Paul says in Philippians 4:16-17(CSB) “…you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift But I seek the profit that is increasing to your account”
Seems like I remember someone saying that we should not lay up treasures on earth, but lay up treasures in our heavenly account?
Are we just saving up for a rainy day? Is this “Christian Karma” living? No it doesn’t work that way.
When we are in need, God doesn’t go into our Heavenly Account and take care of us, no, he takes care of us from the wealth of interest in his OWN Account. V19 says “my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. That’s because of his wealth not out of his wealth.
So I’m NOT trying to store up for a rainy day, spiritually or physically, I’m investing in Heaven, trying to increase the Kingdom, add to the population of the eternal.
And the result of our investment is We are Saints, and Others Become Saints. And the other result of the investment is that when all is said and done, what remains is GRACE.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “for just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”
The grace of God, the Gospel of God, always produces the intended result.
A life, given on purpose, is an eternal investment to the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Under Oliver Cromwell’s government, they ran out of silver for coins. They looked all over for silver. The report came back that the only silver they could find was in the statues of saints in the churches. Cromwell is reported as saying “melt down the saints and put them into circulation!”
Melt down the saints and put them into circulation
Who’s in?
Everything of value save Christ, Melt it down
Everything that would keep us from laying down our lives, Melt it down
Pride, Self-Exaltation, Melt it Down
May we be lives given that Coins of Grace be minted in the hearts of those around us
In the furnace of persecution, melt us down and put us into circulation.
May our only currency be blood, sweat, and tears given to the glory of God
Pleasing, acceptable, sacrifices, Sweet Smelling to the Lord
— an excerpt from the sermon -“Life Together … On Purpose” from the sermon book “Yes … I Will Rejoice!” by James L Goforth Jr available at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792KMPHM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Other titles available http://www.amazon.com/author/pastorgoforth
Pastor Goforth 