5:166 – Money in the bank, Books on the shelf

#faithbites #faithjourney bank

Intro

Yesterday, I read that within a few years, Elon Musk will be worth 1 trillion dollars. That’s a lot of money in the bank. That got me thinking about the old saying, “You can’t take it with you.” what good is having millions (or billions) in the bank if you aren’t using it to help? I’m not talking about wasting money, and savings is good, but is the money God gave you working for others?

Today, as I took my dog on a walk, I saw a Bible on our landing ledge. That got me thinking of how many Bibles we have in our house. The answer is a lot. But does the Bible on the shelf do anything? You can’t take it with you.

Questions

• Are the gifts God gave you sitting in the bank or are they being used?
• How are you stewarding the blessings God has provided?

Scripture

• 1 Peter 4:10 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
• Genesis 2:15 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Reflection

1 Peter reminds us that God has given us gifts not to enrich ourselves but to support and help others. Living in this way benefits everyone, including ourselves. We see even in the beginning, that God made the Garden of Eden for us and put Adam to work it and keep it. It’s not just for him but for all who will follow. Finally, in 2 Corinthians, we see the value of giving. We get what we put out. If you just keep our money in the bank and not use it to help others, we get little. Likewise, if God’s word is stuck in the shelf, it doesn’t inspire, motivate, and save.

As we close, remember to use the gifts God has given you. Share that money sitting in the bank. Open up God’s word and see how he is speaking to you today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have blessed us beyond all measure and we thank you. Often, we worry about not having enough, so we stockpile our money and don’t use it to help others. We also get caught up in the day to day and don’t immerse ourselves in your word, so it sits. Lord, we apologize. Please forgive us. Help us to be good stewards of your blessings and your word. Let us share and use them in ways you desire. We pray this in your name, Amen.