\u201cWhat does Jesus have against sleep?\u201d One of our kids asked that question several years ago while we were on our way to church on a Sunday morning in December.<\/p>\n
Our family had been invited to lead \u201ca responsive call to worship\u201d that morning \u2013 a short time at the beginning of the service in which we were to read some Scripture related to Advent and then the congregation would respond.<\/p>\n
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It\u2019s a season of anticipation, a time of preparing to celebrate Christ\u2019s birth and also to prepare for His return. So we were asked to read from Mark 13, where Jesus told His disciples to \u201ckeep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back\u2026If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n
As we practiced on the way to church, apparently the part about not being found sleeping made it sound as if Jesus was all about work and no rest. I pointed out that it was really a metaphor. To be awake is to live our lives in a state of constant preparedness for Christ\u2019s return, which means living in relationship with Him and living as He taught us to live.<\/p>\n
One of my job hazards is a tendency for my mind to drift toward the financial implications of, well, just about everything. So, as our pastor delivered what I’m sure was a great Advent message, I kept thinking about what it would look like financially<\/em> to live in a constant state of preparedness for Christ\u2019s return.<\/p>\n If He came to our house tomorrow, it\u2019s a sure bet that things would look a little messy. I don\u2019t think He\u2019d care about that. But I think He would<\/em> care about what He saw inside our checkbook and our hearts.<\/p>\n I think he’d want it to be clear that we know who we are, financially speaking. He\u2019d want it to be evident that we look at the world through the eyes of a steward, not the eyes of a consumer<\/a>.<\/p>\n I think He\u2019d want to see us living with contentment.<\/p>\n He wouldn\u2019t want to see a hunger for stuff we don’t have or jealousy over what other people have<\/a>; He\u2019d want to see gratitude for what we do<\/em> have.<\/p>\n He wouldn\u2019t want to see us living under a cloud of guilt or shame over past financial mistakes. Sure, He\u2019d want to see us taking responsibility for cleaning things up, but He\u2019d want us to know that He is quick to forgive all who seek His forgiveness.<\/p>\n I think it would please him if He saw that our financial lives were marked by patience \u2013 a willingness to wait until we can afford things before we buy them, and the realization that our ultimate happiness<\/a> won\u2019t be found in what we can buy.<\/p>\n I think He\u2019d understand if those attitudes didn\u2019t come naturally or easily, and if we sometimes felt uncertain about the economy. But He\u2019d want to see that we\u2019re leaning into Him<\/a> for strength, encouragement, and perspective.<\/p>\n If Jesus showed up tomorrow, I think He\u2019d want to see that we\u2019re not winging it with His money \u2013 that we have a plan. After all, according to His own instruction manual, it says those who profit are those who plan (Proverbs 21:5<\/a>).<\/p>\n I think He\u2019d want to see us living generously \u2013 not just because the Bible teaches that generosity is to be our first financial priority (Proverbs 3:9<\/a>), but because generosity has become a natural way that we express our gratitude for all that He’s done for us.<\/p>\n I think He\u2019d want to see that our finances are in order \u2013 that we keep some money in reserve (Proverbs 21:20<\/a>), are cautious in our use of debt (Proverbs 22:7<\/a>), take a slow and steady approach to investing (Proverbs 13:11<\/a>), and try to be smart about spending decisions big and small. After all, He said that faith and finances are tightly intertwined (Luke 16:11<\/a>).<\/p>\nFinancial Identity<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Financial Attitudes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Financial Behavior<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Company\u2019s Coming, But We Don\u2019t Know When<\/strong><\/h3>\n