Profitable
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:7-9
What do we consider a profit? Well, for example, most would agree that a profitable family has money in the bank and not in credit cards, has a clean house with a good dinner on the table, and every day perfectly organized and executed. But according to scripture if we leave Christ out, it is all worth nothing.
Considering these "profits" as a loss may be confusing without the right perspective on how God views things. Money is a tool, not a benefit in God's eyes. God wants more than cash, He wants to be loved heart, soul, mind and strength. However, without our obedience in giving (the scriptural tithe of 10%)we are not demonstrating love for God. And He won't be able to use us also as a tool for His glory. Money must be considered loss compared to the greatness of knowing Christ(vs. 10), since all that money will only stay here when you die.
A clean house is profitable, but it is only the visible part of living in a home, just a reflection of the amount of time mom/dad/kids put into it. In some families, however a clean house is a mask for hurt or dysfunction going on within it. Keeping a balanced life with Christ as the fulcrum is key to a truly clean house, inside and out. And if Christ is the head, He will help you be a good steward, not so caught up in the fun stuff to forget your responsibilities (as He has done with me).
My pastor on Sunday preached on healthy marriages, teaming up with his wife for a great Q & A formatted sermon. One of his points was on the difference between a Christian home, and a Christ-centered home. Christians can live a good life with great scheduling of activities and involvement in community and home, but are they living Christ-centered? Is God the reason we do things, or are we trying to just be a successful family? Our house may look like Christians live there (crosses on the wall, scriptures on the blackboard) but does it translate into real-life? Do the children know that the reason we love, encourage, trust, pray, hope and even discipline is because God is our center of attention?
All this world will fade away. What we do now with our finances, home, and family ought to count for eternity, not for the moment or to make a good impression on our peers. What is eternal? Our soul and the souls we have been entrusted with. That is it, nothing else, let's commit to losing the temporal and gaining the eternal- pressing "on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (vs. 14)
What do we consider a profit? Well, for example, most would agree that a profitable family has money in the bank and not in credit cards, has a clean house with a good dinner on the table, and every day perfectly organized and executed. But according to scripture if we leave Christ out, it is all worth nothing.
Considering these "profits" as a loss may be confusing without the right perspective on how God views things. Money is a tool, not a benefit in God's eyes. God wants more than cash, He wants to be loved heart, soul, mind and strength. However, without our obedience in giving (the scriptural tithe of 10%)we are not demonstrating love for God. And He won't be able to use us also as a tool for His glory. Money must be considered loss compared to the greatness of knowing Christ(vs. 10), since all that money will only stay here when you die.
A clean house is profitable, but it is only the visible part of living in a home, just a reflection of the amount of time mom/dad/kids put into it. In some families, however a clean house is a mask for hurt or dysfunction going on within it. Keeping a balanced life with Christ as the fulcrum is key to a truly clean house, inside and out. And if Christ is the head, He will help you be a good steward, not so caught up in the fun stuff to forget your responsibilities (as He has done with me).
My pastor on Sunday preached on healthy marriages, teaming up with his wife for a great Q & A formatted sermon. One of his points was on the difference between a Christian home, and a Christ-centered home. Christians can live a good life with great scheduling of activities and involvement in community and home, but are they living Christ-centered? Is God the reason we do things, or are we trying to just be a successful family? Our house may look like Christians live there (crosses on the wall, scriptures on the blackboard) but does it translate into real-life? Do the children know that the reason we love, encourage, trust, pray, hope and even discipline is because God is our center of attention?
All this world will fade away. What we do now with our finances, home, and family ought to count for eternity, not for the moment or to make a good impression on our peers. What is eternal? Our soul and the souls we have been entrusted with. That is it, nothing else, let's commit to losing the temporal and gaining the eternal- pressing "on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (vs. 14)
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