GlocalNet

Right now the economy is the worst its been in years.  We are also at a time when so many things are so much out of wack:  housing market, stock market, energy market, global food market, add some wars and conflicts in Iraq, Georgia, Afghanistan, Congo, Sudan, and the picture is very very depressing. 

Omar Reyes and I were on the plane from DC having been to some meetings there - and as we were flying he began to talk about “reframing” the problem.  It led to my sermon Sunday where I preached on “Stressed or Blessed” and took Hebrews 11 and read all 19 “by faith’s” that were listed. 

The church is preaching a lot on money right now because things are tight.  You hear two kinds of messages.  One is the “pentecostal” message of give and be blessed - looking for the money miracle.  The other is the “presbyterian” message of organize and control spending - looking for money management.  While both of these have some truth in them - what if God is saying something different?  What if God is trying to teach us something?  What if God has orchestrated things to put us right where we are because all of life is discipleship and this is a chance to grow?  Would it make sense?  If our God in America is the greenback and we worship that more than the Father - then would he not be within his right and responsibility to do a “child” correction in the family market?!  So what could he be teaching us?  I believe 3 things and we get them all out of Hebrews 11.

He’s teaching us to SIMPLIFY.  Abraham had to simply to fulfill what God called him to do as an old man.  He’s leaving his land, many of his possessions, his relationships to go to a place he knows nothing about as an old man - and he wasn’t senile!  If we are going to move mountains we have to pack light.  I know having trekked to the Everest base camp - you don’t carry a lot of gear if you don’t have to. 

He’s teaching us to DEACCUMULATE.  Look at Moses, he “refused” to be called Pharoah’s son.  He “chose” the desert.  Bottom line it was a choice he made.  He knew that things, position, and money could not define him.  He could have kept his position, leveraged his influence, and started an advocacy ministry or prayer ministry for the children of Israel.  He doesn’t, he gets out there and suffers by choice with them.

Third, we have to ETERNALIZE.  I don’t know what some of the faith teachers do with Hebrews 11 - it says “these all died not having received the promise” - kinda depressing.  They were looking at the promises from afar and moved their lives in direction with where God was going long term.  As I thought about this and examined it - it became very clear to me - the Great Commission is fulfilled - and I looked out there and I saw it as such. 

Do you realize no generation in the world has the chance of fulfilling the Great Commission like you MILLINIALS!!!!!  You have the technology, the travel, everything necessary - and I’m going to get all those boomers, builders, and busters to fund you if I can do it! 

Those who fulfill the Great Commission will do so with their finances moving towards it - if the US gets to be a part - it’s OK that God is correcting some of our money attitudes - let’s learn.