Things in this world cannot satisfy what humanity needs.  We need the things of God, after all, we are made in the image of God.  Despite this fact, we tend to fill our lives with stuff that makes no sense in terms of an eternal perspective.  How we can use $25 each month for the glory or God instead using it to satisfy ourselves?

Great wisdom is found in the saying, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Let us find our satisfaction in glorifying God!  When we spend our money with God in mind, God gets the glory and we get the joy!  Now isn’t that the way to go about thinking through money issues?!?

Regardless of our age, we are enticed to blow money on things that will fail us.  (It truly is a terrible predicament that we all find ourselves in.)  Human habits in money spending come up short in providing sustaining happiness and satisfying our inner cravings.  The shine wears off and we are left wanting yet again.  Once the exciting new gadget becomes commonplace it quickly gets lost in the mix of newer and better things.  Boredom sets in, and we find ourselves seeking a new fix again.  Better clothes, bigger house, cooler car, unnecessary gadgets, you name it, every American seems to have it or want it.  There is always another way for an American to blow away their money.

Jesus demands that we bust out of the mode, and be renewed with the mind of Christ.  Youth today can get an unlimited texting plan on their cell phone for $25 a month or they can see if God has other purposes for that money.  Adults can blow their money in far more ‘effective’ ways (haha) than even youth can, and have high sounding sophisticated arguments to mask their materialistic hearts.  Look at all of the stuff surrounding us, it’s a little embarrassing isn’t it?  Is anyone else more than a little bit ill at ease with how Christians purchase things?  I know I am disgusted with myself.

Solutions are simple.  Pray before buying.  And be willing to here Jesus tell you “No.”  Not only do we often time not need the things we desire, but this junk actually clutters our lives and keeps us from spending adequate time with God daily to hear His voice.  So, no more purchases without consulting God.  If God is going to be God of your life, He must also be God of your money.  (I know, we cringe when we say this right?  Because we know the repercussions it means personally.)

It isn’t if your new sofa, or texting plan is sinful.  No, that’s not the issue at all.  Every question that starts with, “what’s wrong with this or that,” is misguided.  It isn’t that sitting on sofas is sinful or Jesus is on Facebook raising up 1,000,000 strong against cell phone usage.  NO!  What it is about is glorifying God with our purchases and money.  So, now start asking the question, “God in what way can I best use this money so that it most honors and glorifies You!”  Include God in your money decisions.  You’ll be shocked with how much joy you’ll end up with when you are concerned that God is worshiped in your $ decisions.

My $25 a month may not change the world today, but it will start to change my heart.

We looked at the Exodus 16 manna text last night. Many things were said, but the killer point was found in Ex. 16:4, 16-20. In these verses each person should gather enough manna for that day, but not take anymore than they needed for that particular day! But did the Israelites listen? Of course not! They hoarded, and were greedy, and lacked trust in the Lord and the Lord’s word to them. They kept some overnight, which of course became spoiled, was full of maggots and smelled. What does this mean to our audience today? Me, chillin’ in America, what is the Lord’s voice to me in this passage?

It’s rather clear, zeroed in on this particular point what this means for me. The forest has broader richer theological messages, but this tree, this gaint redwood stands out. And it is this tree, which our greedy, hoarding, selfishly blinded American heart deserves to be nailed.

One extraction point follows. It means I am that Israelite. They are grumbling, complaining, and whining to God about there being no food, and the entire situation of leaving Eygpt (v.3, 7). God in his sovereign mercy and grace provides bread and responds kindly to their childish grumbling ungrateful attitudes. With food and provision provided by God everyday, still that was not enough for these sinful Israelites, and me, the sinful American.

I am the Israelite in the mirror, whining and grumbling about God’s provision for me. IT’S NOT ENOUGH WE SCREAM! WE WANT MORE! WE HOARD MORE! GIVE ME, GIVE ME, GIVE ME, MORE MORE MORE! The kicker with this is that their manna was ruined within a day. We today, can continue to gather and not be policed immediately about this sin like our Israelite counterparts were centuries ago. While their’s became full of maggots, ours is still shiny, at least for a few years. Their manna was spoiled, but we, WE CAN CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE! Will we police ourselves, or just feed our greed again today? FEED YOURSELF, OR GIVE OF YOURSELF? You decide. GATHER MORE THAN YOU NEED, OR GATHER ONLY WHAT YOU NEED? You decide. ARE YOU CHILLIN’ WITH TOO MUCH JUST LIKE ME? What are you going to do about that today?

When we choose to follow Christ we have given up our rights. And yes, that even includes us being greedy, hoarding Americans, who keep too much for ourselves and give too little to our neighbor in need. God will provide for you what you need, He proved that with the manna He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. Be content with the Lord’s provision for you today, and don’t grasp for more, more, more. Lord have mercy on me.