May 1st

All Aboard

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

You've got to think things through. Have you ever heard that before?

I have, and it's amazing how much most of us need to hear it again. Because here's the deal-we can be passionate about something, but if we don't think things all the way through to a plan, then our passion will go unfulfilled. We'll get to the end of the day and it won't have gotten done.

Yes, kids, I want to play with you, but just let me finish this first. But then something else comes up, and then another thing, and then another, and you never play with the kids to show them that they're important. But what I was doing was important! Really? It was more important than your kids?

We couldn't write a tithe check this week. We had to pay our bills first. But if you hadn't financed your way into debt-buying that top of the line entertainment system, that brand new vehicle to replace the one that worked just fine, that house you wanted instead of the one you could afford-then maybe you could write that check that God requires.

We have to understand something very important. Maybe your kids are a top priority in your life. Maybe you really have a generous heart and want to give (maybe you even like it when I preach on money!). Maybe you love God more than anything else in the whole world.

But if you don't know how to plan, then the urgency of the moment will always trump your deeper passions and loves.

When you make decisions today, pause for a moment and consider what impacts those decisions will have later in life. Or even better, consider where God has called you to be in the future and determine what steps are required to get there.

Then, the next time you need to write your tithe check, respond to an opportunity to serve someone, or are called to play with your kids, you will be able to say yes because you will have prepared for it in advance.

Don't be a slave to the moment. Plan, and be prepared to live your life according to God's will on purpose.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

You have a plan for my life, and I want to do more than just stumble upon it someday; I want to purposefully live it out every day. Please help me to plan so that when Your call comes, I will be fully prepared to say yes.

Amen