weekly sermon
1-6-08
Who Am I?
This past week I was involved in a business deal that could evolve into
something very special to me. This deal would make me a partner in an adventure
that could be very lucrative. It could even put me into a situation that would
engulf me with an abundance of power and money. This individual that would be a
partner with me in this adventure stated that he really wanted to make sure that
nothing would come between our friendship. He also made a comment about not
allowing the money to go to my head, that I might become a different person than
I am at this moment.
Many years ago when I was just first married and starting to begin a family, I
had to do whatever I could to make enough money to try to feed my wife and
myself, even before the new addition to our family had come along. One of the
odd jobs that I took was shoveling horse manure out of a horse trailer to
fertilize a garden. This was a fairly decent size two horse trailer that was
completely filled to over flowing with this manure. I do not know if any of you
have ever had to shovel horse manure in south Texas in early spring, but if you
have not then let me fill you in on a few things. South Texas is very hot and
muggy. When you are trying to shovel this manure on this hot steamy day, it
tends to make the manure hot and steamy as well. Needless to say, it was by far
no bed of roses. The work was not what one would want to make a career out of by
no means. This sweet little woman decided she would pay me $125.00 to work this
many days to remove the manure from the trailer and spread it over her garden.
This was not a good amount of money for the work that had to be done, but we
were blessed to have something where before, we had nothing.
I tell these two stories for one small reason. I make more in 10 minutes than I
did when I completed the horse manure job, for this sweet elderly woman, and it
took me a week. I told my friend this story because I wanted him to see that
even though I am in the position I am in at this time, that I had not changed in
any manner. I was raised by my parents to know that no matter how much you have
in this world, or how little, that did not depict the type of person you were.
The type of person you are is how you carry yourself no matter your power, or
your financial status. It is how you treat folks no matter yours or their power
or financial status.
I went to the Bible, of course, to see what God thought about where I was in
this vast mix. Turn with me if you will to Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." This verse talks about the
mental rewards of the world. This verse is a warning, telling you to watch and
not allow yourself to be spoiled with the type of life we have. This verse is
basically stating that you should not allow the money to go to your head and
become such as a big shot that we would lose site of your true and final reward.
I also told my friend probably the most famous scripture quoted at a time like
this. 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows." I truly wanted my friend to see that no matter what
happens everyone should always keep tight to their roots. If we could look
inside your own self, we could see that we should always remember where we came
from just so we know how to get back. What I mean is that one day you could fall
and if you do you will need someone and you do not want to burn your bridge. If
we lose sight of our roots then we lose sight of the ones we truly love, or that
truly love us. Our minds turn to the love of the money instead of the love of
the people in our lives.
I can truly state that I believe that your life should be in this order, God,
family, friends, then career. If we keep our minds on God above all, he will
keep His love emitting from us. This love will pour out through our family and
friends. The career is just a way for us to live while on this planet, not a
life. John 15:10, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even
as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." This verse
shows me exactly where my love is suppose to be. If I abide in the love of God,
then my love is focused on God and not on money.
If you are totally focused on what you KNOW is the true reward then
congratulations, you are one of a select few. We hear to many stories about
robberies or murders because of money. If you know this love of money rules your
life then dig and look deep inside yourself and you will find that true love
comes from those around you, not those supplying you.
If you do not know the love of God through He saving grace and would like to get
to know Him, then please say this simple prayer with me.
Dear Lord, come into my
life and forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.
If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received
salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our
link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few
things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
With Love in Christ,
Pastor Stone