What I Learned Yesterday About Tomorrow, Part I.
Over the past few days, as I have watched the interactions and conversations surrounding the current financial crisis, I have thought a great deal about the power of simple wisdom.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, the lessons my grandfather taught me as a child sitting around his table remain some of the most important, direct and useful lessons of my life.
If nothing else, the past few days remind us why "simplicity" in our values, relationships, aspirations, ambitions, and faith provide the most stable foundation for healthy lives and communities.
For example, as I mentioned last week, at the heart of the financial crisis is a credit crisis. At the core of the credit crisis is the valuation of assets versus loans to folks with questionable means to afford them. And, at the center of such risky financial practices are issues of "enough", abundance, and, dare we say it, greed.
Sure, the details are much more complex now, but only because the force of the situation has spun out of control, not because the genesis was that complicated.
No, at the end of the day, we spent more than we had for things we really didn't need, and we all became complicit in a practice of "life" that forgot what it means to be truly satisfied.
Thus, the simple lessons of a farmer with a high school education resurfaces as profound and, somewhat prophetic, when ignored.
Over the next weeks, I want to share seven of his lessons with you. I hope they mean as much to you as they have to me. Of course, they are not original to my grandfather. He would be horrified at such a suggestion. But, he was humble enough to believe them and, more importantly, to live them. I hope the same for my life.
Here are the first two...
Lesson One: “If I break it, I buy it”
Every part of life costs something—good or bad. We invest ourselves into the lives of others and should realize the intentionality and effect that such investment requires and yields. The interdependent nature of human relationships insures that our lives impact each other.
I learned early that every person’s words and actions have power. My grandfather loved the saying “If you break it, you buy it”. He wasn’t just referring to objects or goods, but also to relationships.
In today’s world of individuality and personal needs/desires, accountability and responsibility often become “catch phrases” when describing how others affect us. Again, a self centered approach even to community. But, real community works when we realize how our lives affect others. In the process, we discover the authentic sense of our own personal value and self worth.
Lesson Two: “It’s never too late to be sorry… but ‘sorry’ doesn’t cut it.”
Too often, Christians see ‘salvation’ in strictly spiritual terms. But, eternal life is only part of the wonderful gift that God has offered us through Christ. We are also afforded ‘abundant life’ that transforms the way we see ourselves, our God and each other.
Real repentance and forgiveness mean looking at how God defines true “reconciliation” in Him.
First, there is never too much “water under the bridge” for one to seek and work for reconciliation. Truly, it is never too late to be sorry and to wish for a healthier, more whole relationship.
But, many of us believe that saying “sorry” or “feeling sorry” about something is the ultimate goal in reconciliation. I heard “sorry doesn’t cut it” a lot as a child, especially after I was quick to say “sorry” for my transgressions (which were many). But, did I really mean it?
My family expected us to “show our sorry” instead of just saying the words. Relationships crave interaction. Rebuilding relationships requires effort.
Words are important. Actions even more so.
Next week... Lessons three and four.
Love you all.
Be Salt and Light,
Shane
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reprinted from original eVotion on April 27th, 2008.
When Is EnoughEnough?: Six Core Biblical Values for Faithful Financial Living by Shane Stanford
When is enough,enough? No decision or life change affects our futures more.
As consumer debt rises, so do the levels of personal and relational stress permeating our families, workplaces, and churches. Confronting our consumerist tendencies produces a wealth of benefits. But why is it so hard to decide that enoughis indeed enough? As Benjamin Franklin states, "Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody."
We live in a world of "discontented accumulation"-no matter how much we acquire, it never feeds the real hunger of our lives. And, the answer is more spiritual than financial.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) reads: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.'" The writer of Hebrews hits on the real struggle: our dissatisfaction comes from missing God's intimate connection to the whole of our existence, not just our finances. We can't fix a checking account balance unless we first fix what drives our priorities in this world. And our priorities must begin with God, not the inflated values of a world bent on gorging itself on one fleeting delicacy after another but never truly being filled.
Like our physical diets, our spiritual menus must include real foods, not merely emotional candy that leave us unhealthy and always craving more. Spiritual energy and vitality come only from living lives devoted to a deeper understanding of who we are and of the Creator to whom we belong. No job, car, house, or title can provide this.
In teaching about stewardship, I realized that families and individuals must develop a healthy lifestyle in order to experience financial health. Good budgets and debt reduction are not enough. In order to change our financial future, we have to address what drives our financial behavior.
And, Jesus taught that our resources give us opportunities to live faithfully before God and one another. Money, for Jesus, was another tool for doing great good in the world.
Here are six biblical core values that, I believe, can change our lives. These principles are certainly not exhaustive of all the Scriptures teach about stewardship, money, or resources. However, they provide a framework for stewarding our resources for significance in the kingdom of God:
1. The Principle of Enough (Hebrews 13:5). What happens when consuming becomes our God? The writer of Hebrews encourages us to be satisfied with the indispensable promise of God's faithfulness. Regardless of the ebb and flow of the world's gifts, God's gift will never rust, fade, or slip away.
2. The Principle of Proper Perspective (Matthew 6:24). We cannot serve two masters; God does not give us that option. Such clear distinction between the things of this world and the things of God gives us the opportunity for clarity in our decisions. What seems like a stark, declarative statement actually provides a clear point of reference by which we can understand God's plan for our lives
3. The Principle of the Good Steward (Matthew 19:16-22). In a world where "good" is defined in terms of the accumulation of material possessions, Jesus counters that "good" is a matter of care and stewardship, even to the point of giving away that which we treasure. Most financial problems come when the things we possess in reality possess us. Part of being a good steward involves understanding the temporary nature of all the material goods we possess.
4. The Principle of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-18). Clearly, Jesus is not endorsing the manager's dishonest practices. Rather, he is teaching us that, like the manager, we are called to be shrewd managers of the resources that God gives us. The parable might be paraphrased "If only we were as wise and shrewd in achieving eternal things as those who are intent on possessing dishonest things." Of course, this requires focus, planning, and a faithful heart so that we may adequately respond to God's kingdom plans. Only when we spend as much time and effort preparing our lives (and resources) for kingdom good (through the building of relationships, for example) as we do for pleasure will we experience a true measure of God's enormous potential in both our earthly and our eternal lives.
5. The Principle of the Widow's Mite (Mark 12:41-44). What does it mean to give out of our poverty? Jesus understands that trusting God is much easier in times of abundance than in our times of need. However, some of life's greatest lessons are learned from our commitment and response as we experience times of hardship and sacrifice.
6. The Principle of the Faithful Giver (1 Timothy 6:17-18). Be "ready to share" (NRSV). Paul's command highlights the nature of why we give-because God expects us to do so. Our resources serve as another opportunity to be a part of the work of God in this world and to do good things in God's name. We do not share our resources for pride or personal gain but because God covets the whole of our lives, including our earthly possessions, to be offered in God's service.
Consider the defining values of your life. What beliefs and principles form who you are? How do these core values define the important boundaries and goals of your life? How are they shaping your heart into a vessel for God's good news?
Sitting on my desk is the famous discourse of the apostle Paul concerning his thorn in the flesh.He asks God to remove it. I love how Eugene Peterson, in his work The Message, translates God's response: "My grace is enough; it's all you need."
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
Shane
www.shanestanford.com
www.thehour.org
When Is EnoughEnough?: Six Core Biblical Values for Faithful Financial Living by Shane Stanford
When is enough,enough? No decision or life change affects our futures more.
As consumer debt rises, so do the levels of personal and relational stress permeating our families, workplaces, and churches. Confronting our consumerist tendencies produces a wealth of benefits. But why is it so hard to decide that enoughis indeed enough? As Benjamin Franklin states, "Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody."
We live in a world of "discontented accumulation"-no matter how much we acquire, it never feeds the real hunger of our lives. And, the answer is more spiritual than financial.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) reads: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.'" The writer of Hebrews hits on the real struggle: our dissatisfaction comes from missing God's intimate connection to the whole of our existence, not just our finances. We can't fix a checking account balance unless we first fix what drives our priorities in this world. And our priorities must begin with God, not the inflated values of a world bent on gorging itself on one fleeting delicacy after another but never truly being filled.
Like our physical diets, our spiritual menus must include real foods, not merely emotional candy that leave us unhealthy and always craving more. Spiritual energy and vitality come only from living lives devoted to a deeper understanding of who we are and of the Creator to whom we belong. No job, car, house, or title can provide this.
In teaching about stewardship, I realized that families and individuals must develop a healthy lifestyle in order to experience financial health. Good budgets and debt reduction are not enough. In order to change our financial future, we have to address what drives our financial behavior.
And, Jesus taught that our resources give us opportunities to live faithfully before God and one another. Money, for Jesus, was another tool for doing great good in the world.
Here are six biblical core values that, I believe, can change our lives. These principles are certainly not exhaustive of all the Scriptures teach about stewardship, money, or resources. However, they provide a framework for stewarding our resources for significance in the kingdom of God:
1. The Principle of Enough (Hebrews 13:5). What happens when consuming becomes our God? The writer of Hebrews encourages us to be satisfied with the indispensable promise of God's faithfulness. Regardless of the ebb and flow of the world's gifts, God's gift will never rust, fade, or slip away.
2. The Principle of Proper Perspective (Matthew 6:24). We cannot serve two masters; God does not give us that option. Such clear distinction between the things of this world and the things of God gives us the opportunity for clarity in our decisions. What seems like a stark, declarative statement actually provides a clear point of reference by which we can understand God's plan for our lives
3. The Principle of the Good Steward (Matthew 19:16-22). In a world where "good" is defined in terms of the accumulation of material possessions, Jesus counters that "good" is a matter of care and stewardship, even to the point of giving away that which we treasure. Most financial problems come when the things we possess in reality possess us. Part of being a good steward involves understanding the temporary nature of all the material goods we possess.
4. The Principle of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-18). Clearly, Jesus is not endorsing the manager's dishonest practices. Rather, he is teaching us that, like the manager, we are called to be shrewd managers of the resources that God gives us. The parable might be paraphrased "If only we were as wise and shrewd in achieving eternal things as those who are intent on possessing dishonest things." Of course, this requires focus, planning, and a faithful heart so that we may adequately respond to God's kingdom plans. Only when we spend as much time and effort preparing our lives (and resources) for kingdom good (through the building of relationships, for example) as we do for pleasure will we experience a true measure of God's enormous potential in both our earthly and our eternal lives.
5. The Principle of the Widow's Mite (Mark 12:41-44). What does it mean to give out of our poverty? Jesus understands that trusting God is much easier in times of abundance than in our times of need. However, some of life's greatest lessons are learned from our commitment and response as we experience times of hardship and sacrifice.
6. The Principle of the Faithful Giver (1 Timothy 6:17-18). Be "ready to share" (NRSV). Paul's command highlights the nature of why we give-because God expects us to do so. Our resources serve as another opportunity to be a part of the work of God in this world and to do good things in God's name. We do not share our resources for pride or personal gain but because God covets the whole of our lives, including our earthly possessions, to be offered in God's service.
Consider the defining values of your life. What beliefs and principles form who you are? How do these core values define the important boundaries and goals of your life? How are they shaping your heart into a vessel for God's good news?
Sitting on my desk is the famous discourse of the apostle Paul concerning his thorn in the flesh.He asks God to remove it. I love how Eugene Peterson, in his work The Message, translates God's response: "My grace is enough; it's all you need."
Be Salt and Light... You Matter!
Shane
www.shanestanford.com
www.thehour.org
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