Faith Money

Genesis 15

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.

    I am your shield,

    your very great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 

“This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Faith, Abram believed God, a God he hardly knew but did understand he was God and was in control of his life.  He had brought him a couple of thousand miles into this land, how could he do anything but believe?

We read this today, listened to John attempt to expound this faith.   Jesus saying trust the father to provide, don't worry about clothes and money, the father is with you.

Straight forward stuff.

However, As we sang 'Be bold, be strong,' and 'All to Jesus I surrender,' I could not get away from the man I found on Twitter the other day.  Here was a man pastoring a small church in an area where Christians were not protected or favoured.  I am unaware of the country, possibly a former Soviet area in Asia, but clearly not ne where Christians are popular.

We sing such songs so easily then go home to our peaceful homes, the kitchen well stocked, plenty of luxuries around, and fail to see how fat we are!  We speak of it, we say we will change, but never do.  

Men such as this pastor leads his church and will continue to lead his church to promote the glory of Jesus Christ among the locals, even though his life may be lost.  We occasionally get rejected by friends and family, he might lose his job, his income, his home, his wife and children and his life.

How fat we are.  

Luke

12:29. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32. ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.