Weekday Devotionals
Devotional written by Aaron Green
Verse: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
Thoughts: We've been engaging in another round of the Rooted initiative. It can be uncomfortable... am I allowed to say that? Here we go again, the church asking me what's in my wallet like a Capital One commercial... I get it. I've even had the back and forth in my own head about various points I agree or don't agree with when it comes to the way the church talks about money. I typically don't like it and want it to be over... BUT... what has changed my perspective on this, what has made me reconsider my position in the area of money, has been Thrive. It has been the relationship I've built with Pastor Pete and the staff here. I've come to know and understand that what Pastor Pete wants most from his congregation is fully mature disciples of Jesus. That is his aim. That's Biblical. I feel Jesus also wanted His disciples to reach full maturity in their understanding of Him as well. Like maturity, it's a process. It's a process that can be awkward, uncomfortable, and a bit discouraging at times, but it's essential for growth. They say (as in, 'I've heard it said'... I don't actually know who the 'they' are, but you've probably heard this to) one of the biggest areas of conflict in marriages is money, or more accurately, lack of communication about how you spend/save money as a couple. It's one of the topics that gets discussed in pre-marital counseling. A healthy marriage has discussed, perhaps argued, and reached an agreement on what they do with their money. Jesus wanted His disciples to discuss, perhaps argue, and eventually reach an agreement on what they did with their money as well. It's an essential ingredient for spiritual growth.
You might now say, okay Pastor Aaron, you made your point, but are you sure you selected the right verse; I'm not sure how this connects with what 2 Corinthians 10 is saying... stick with me, here's what I mean. 'For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.' The world clings to their money and treasure as their source of security, additionally, where does most of our money as a nation go? To our defense system (not a knock on our military, I love them, just an observation) for the sake of security. However, as Pastor Pete has also preached throughout this year, our identity and allegiance is to the Lamb that was slain first and foremost. 'The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.' How shall Christians fight? With prayer? Yes! With fasting? Yes! With Bible study and small groups? Yes! With generosity? Absolutely! We do not cling to our money for our source of security and comfort. Our God provides those things for us, and we become free to live with an open hand, and living with such freedom means... 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' Why? Because this is what leads us to become mature followers of Jesus. Every disciple of Jesus will be asked by the Spirit of God to consider what is in our wallet. It's not to give us a credit card offer, but to make sure we are not clinging too tightly to the things of this world. Pastor Pete and Thrive have taught me this. Turns out, it was in our Bible the whole time.
- Pastor Aaron
Verse: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
Thoughts: We've been engaging in another round of the Rooted initiative. It can be uncomfortable... am I allowed to say that? Here we go again, the church asking me what's in my wallet like a Capital One commercial... I get it. I've even had the back and forth in my own head about various points I agree or don't agree with when it comes to the way the church talks about money. I typically don't like it and want it to be over... BUT... what has changed my perspective on this, what has made me reconsider my position in the area of money, has been Thrive. It has been the relationship I've built with Pastor Pete and the staff here. I've come to know and understand that what Pastor Pete wants most from his congregation is fully mature disciples of Jesus. That is his aim. That's Biblical. I feel Jesus also wanted His disciples to reach full maturity in their understanding of Him as well. Like maturity, it's a process. It's a process that can be awkward, uncomfortable, and a bit discouraging at times, but it's essential for growth. They say (as in, 'I've heard it said'... I don't actually know who the 'they' are, but you've probably heard this to) one of the biggest areas of conflict in marriages is money, or more accurately, lack of communication about how you spend/save money as a couple. It's one of the topics that gets discussed in pre-marital counseling. A healthy marriage has discussed, perhaps argued, and reached an agreement on what they do with their money. Jesus wanted His disciples to discuss, perhaps argue, and eventually reach an agreement on what they did with their money as well. It's an essential ingredient for spiritual growth.
You might now say, okay Pastor Aaron, you made your point, but are you sure you selected the right verse; I'm not sure how this connects with what 2 Corinthians 10 is saying... stick with me, here's what I mean. 'For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.' The world clings to their money and treasure as their source of security, additionally, where does most of our money as a nation go? To our defense system (not a knock on our military, I love them, just an observation) for the sake of security. However, as Pastor Pete has also preached throughout this year, our identity and allegiance is to the Lamb that was slain first and foremost. 'The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.' How shall Christians fight? With prayer? Yes! With fasting? Yes! With Bible study and small groups? Yes! With generosity? Absolutely! We do not cling to our money for our source of security and comfort. Our God provides those things for us, and we become free to live with an open hand, and living with such freedom means... 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' Why? Because this is what leads us to become mature followers of Jesus. Every disciple of Jesus will be asked by the Spirit of God to consider what is in our wallet. It's not to give us a credit card offer, but to make sure we are not clinging too tightly to the things of this world. Pastor Pete and Thrive have taught me this. Turns out, it was in our Bible the whole time.
- Pastor Aaron
Recent
Archive
2024
March
2023
March
August
November
2022
March
Categories
no categories