April 28, 2013 "Demolition"

    To end our adventurous month of April, Discovery Church welcomed a guest speaker to lead the sermon, by the name of Matt Simpson. This was a real treat hearing Matt preach along with his beautiful wife, Maureen, sitting in the front row. What I took from Matt this past Sunday was the subject of greed and selfishness.

    Now greed comes in many forms, as Matt explained, such as saving or hoarding items, money, talents, information, etc. We keep things to our self that should be shared with the world and others or at the start, are not even worth saving to begin with. We focus so much time and strain on our jobs or try to conjure up these "get rich quick" schemes to try and make just a little bit more of that green stuff. Before you or I know it, our stress levels are high, the happiness and joy we use to live by, is forced out by the object of money and the things we can buy with it.

    I am not so sure about you, reader, but Matt gave me a wake up call to what we, as God's Children, are doing here on Earth. For one, this is not our home. Our time here is limited and therefore should be invested in saving souls and showing the heart of God. The material items we gather here will not determine who is accepted into Heaven nor is God lining us up with a clipboard in His hand and looking at how much we make each year. Money should not be an idol but serve as a tool to help us live our every day lives. Our money shouldn't be hoarded in junk but used to help one another each day or help our own souls by doing the things we love with our friends and family.

    I have seen my generation of young adults and I must say I am disappointed of the stress and worry that is put on us to "make money", when the concern back in the day, use to be education first then money will fall into play. The thought of "giving" has to have a legitimate reason, such as a natural disaster or an orphan child with no food or water instead of just the natural desire to care for someone other than ourselves. My favorite is the joke of giving a dollar to a homeless woman on the side of the road and asking for a tax credit receipt with it. This generation chooses to give with something in return. 

    I know this entry seems a bit dark or may cause some strong opinions but let me flip this around. I am not saying to throw your money around to the first person who walks up to you, but just give it a second thought. If someone is hungry, bring them a meal. Someone needs clothing, don't shame away from giving them the shirt off your back. Let's not let selfishness and greed consume our lives of walking in the shoes of Jesus. Follow his footsteps by giving and showing your caring heart, maybe to ones who can't or don't know how. Show them.