Words from the Pastor
Who do you think of when you read the Scripture verse, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24)?” My mind always goes to the very wealthy living right here in the Good Ole U.S. of A! You know, Bezos, Gates, Buffet and blah, blah, blah. But then someone reminded me the other day that in most countries and people of the world, you and I would be considered the very rich. We would be considered that rich man that would have trouble getting into Heaven because of our riches. Now I have never- ever considered myself rich by any stretch of the imagination. Well, spiritually I am rich, my marriage is a rich blessing as are my friends. And I am rich that I have the most amazing job on the planet as pastor here at Canelo Cowboy Church! But as far as monetary wealth, not so much. But, as I stated, in other countries, I am a wealthy man! With that being said, do you feel a desire to get ahead in this life? Or are you willing to give up what you have here for the Kingdom of God?
If you look at the heroes in the Bible, a great many of them didn’t have a thing in this world. Even Jesus said that, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 18:20).” All of us have a place to come home to at night, so we could be considered rich. And please, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having riches. There is nothing wrong with having this world goods. We have worked for them and we are blessed to be born in America, the land of opportunity. But what are we doing with them? Are we making them our identity? Are we satisfied with what we have or are we always wanting more?
Paul writes to Timothy in I Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” It isn’t money that causes the break down in our faith, it is the love of money. That word translated love in this Scripture means avarice, or not being content with what God has given you. Wanting more riches and always striving to get ahead by obtaining this world’s goods. As Paul writes, some people have wandered from the faith and are a sad lot because of it. So, the lesson here, at least for me, is to be content with what God has given me. Be content with my everyday life. Be content with myself and allow God to show me where and how to use what I do have.
Where are you at? Has God been dealing with you to maybe step out on faith and allow Him to use your contentment with your finances? What are you doing with your riches that shows God that He is the most important thing in your life? Are you storing up treasures on earth where moths and vermin can destroy them, or are you storing up treasures in heaven where they are there for eternity (Matthew 7:19-21)? Because where yours and my treasure is that is where our heart is going to be also. I want to challenge you to think about it. And remember, if you know Jesus, you are a rich, rich person! Now let’s go share the wealth.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve