Steve Seamands is a former seminary professor with much wisdom to share (highlights mine)—
An important aspect of John Wesley’s May 24 Aldersgate experience is often overlooked.
“About a quarter before nine. . . I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
This part of Wesley’s account of his Aldersgate experience often gets quoted.
But I am struck by what Wesley says immediately after that:
“I began to pray with all my might
for those who had in a more especial manner
despitefully used me and persecuted me.”
Isn’t it amazing how the Holy Spirit which “strangely warmed” his heart immediately thrusts him out of himself towards others, and he finds himself praying “with all my might” for his enemies!
And doesn’t Holy Spirit always do that when he truly comes—move us beyond ourselves toward others.
That’s why we so desperately need the Spirit to come—so we can be set free for others.
Mathew 6:19-20 — Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
You and I know all too well that there’s an element of fragility, even flimsiness, to our treasures on earth.
And yet, as Michael Packer has said, “Money is so important because it reveals who we are. Those who I know that have had the most financial success are smart with their money but also generous. They don’t just put it all away waiting for disaster to strike, they also give.”
And yet again: Hmmmmmm.
In other words, balance seems to be the key. Don’t spend it all, but don’t hoard it all away in a system that can fail you.
Michael Packer has this to say —
If I had to pick one word to describe Jesus it would still be “love,” but I think Jesus realized more of us would struggle with our spending habits than with loving those around us.
I know many people who love everyone unconditionally but are either barely scraping by while living paycheck to paycheck or are in debt up to their eyeballs.
— And again: hmmmmmm.
“Jesus! And money? Really?”
We’ve been told/taught/reminded that Jesus talked more about money than about heaven and hell combined.
Again: hmmmmmm.
“I Might Be 91.5% Home. And You?” — So wrote one of my favorite parts of the Presbyterian Church in America. His name’s Scotty Smith. Yes, it’s really Scotty; he’s from the South. He was a professor of mine at Covenant Theological Seminary a little over twenty years ago. He’s gold. For example, here’s what he said yesterday —
“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty… Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Ps.90:10, 12). “Encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb.10:25)
Lord Jesus, what a destiny we have, what a Savior you are, what a Gospel we treasure. Because of your resurrection, “death, formerly an executioner, is now a gardener” (George Herbert). Our bodies, planted as perishable seed, will be raised imperishable and forever “un-ache-able” (1Cor.15:42). No more cancer, consternation, or conflicts of any kind—just “all things new,” beautiful, and perfect forever. That is so awesome, and so generous of you.
We’ll soon realize that whatever we thought “heaven” would be, our bar was too low and our hopes were too petite. Jesus, if I’m average, I’ve lived 91.5% of a “normal” life expectancy—73 of 80 years. Death isn’t way down the road for me, and your return may even be sooner. But if I don’t live till 80, “there is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest” (Tim Keller’s last words).
So, until the perfectly timed day of my last breath or your sure return, what will a wise life look like for me, and for my friends? Surely, it will involve living closer to you, Jesus (one of the last things Jack Miller said to me, just before his death at 67).
It will also mean living more at the pace of grace—living more by a “to-love-list,” rather than a “to-do-list.” For “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). It will also mean investing more energy, days, and joy in the spread of the Gospel, and encouraging your Bride. Jesus, Count. Me. In. So Very Amen.
“Wait, Joe, wait — Jesus and money?”
Eleven of his 39 parables are about finances.
Hmmmm.
3. Give your congregation a negative identity. Make sure the community knows what you’re against. Make sure guests know that they are only guests, not one of the group. Exclude them from parts of your worship service.
“When money talks,” wrote Herbert V. Prochnow, “there are few interruptions.”
Is that why Christ Jesus spoke about money so much?
David Elikwu wrote and published this list and his commentary in February, and it’s too good not to share with you. But first, who’s David? “I spent half a decade at one of the biggest corporate law firms in the world. The kind where equity partners make a couple mill per year.”
His advice, but only one a day for a while. There’s a lot to absorb along the way. —
Don’t be an [Obnoxious Person]
This one should be obvious, but sadly it’s not.
Being a baller and having an awesome career is no excuse to treat people like crap.
Be kind, be considerate, be helpful. Simple acts of humanity and decency will go further than you think.
David Elikwu wrote and published this list and his commentary in February, and it’s too good not to share with you. But first, who’s David? “I spent half a decade at one of the biggest corporate law firms in the world. The kind where equity partners make a couple mill per year.”
His advice, but only one a day for a while. There’s a lot to absorb along the way. —
There’s no such thing as work-life balance
You can’t have it all. You have to make choices.
There will always be trade-offs. The key is to make conscious decisions about what you’re willing to re-prioritise, and what you’re not. Make those decisions before you’re forced to!
joescheets 