Keeping the Vision 1

Luke 14:28-30

Are you prepared for the rest of 2012? Do you have everything in order for all the things you will face, all the struggles and the good times, the challenges and the joys? Most importantly, are you where you need to be with your faith and what you are going to do as part of God’s kingdom?

That’s a lot of questions and a great deal to think about, but that is what it takes sometimes to get through life, especially a life of following Christ. This passage in Luke is part of what Jesus said to a large crowd of people – probably including his disciples – who were following him as he taught. What does he say about a person who wants to build a tower? What might happen if a person is not prepared for what is in store?

Naturally, such an approach is good advice to anyone who is planning a big venture. If you are thinking about building a house, adding on to your current home or remodeling you will need to know what the cost is going to be, and you will need to decide if you have the resources to get things done. The same is true of buying a car, getting groceries, planning a trip, and so on.

But it is also true about our faith and our involvement in being faithful. That is, after all, what Jesus is getting at. This crowd of followers may not have given enough thought to all the commitment required in following Jesus. What might be expected of them? Will they need to change the way they think and act?

As we enter into a new calendar year it is a good time to examine ourselves and our own commitment to Jesus. As believers we need to estimate the cost of what it will take to be truly Christian. We may need to make changes in our lives – changes in how we look at our finances, changes in our attitudes to others, changes in what we do at work and how we act in public AND private.

Jesus encourages us to estimate the cost of what we will do. We must estimate what it is we are willing to give and give up for God. We must look at what we are willing to do in order to serve God and further His kingdom.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What new thing will you do for God in 2012? Do you have the resources – money, time, spirit, attitude – to get it done?

Management 3

Luke 14:28-30

Not far from our home is the partial framework of a home that was started a few years ago. The corner posts were set up; a few rafter beams were added, and then nothing. The boards stand as a constant reminder that this project either ran out of money or was simply abandoned.

Without planning and honest assessments of our situations we may find ourselves in financial trouble. If we enter into service and ministry in areas where we are not called or skilled, we can end up with a failed ministry.

In this passage Jesus is talking to people following him about what is required to truly be a disciple of Christ. What analogy is presented? What lesson is taught?

Being a believer in Jesus and managing your personal finances can be similar in many ways. If you will manage your money properly it is wise to examine exactly how much you have before moving forward. If you will be a follower of Christ it is important to know what your abilities are.

Good financial management and stewardship involves some planning. You must take an honest inventory of your assets. How much do you have? Then look at your monthly expenses. What absolutely must be paid, and when must it be paid? What other obligations do you have, and what are the amounts you expect to spend on them? Can any money be saved?

If your income and assets are accurate, and your expected expenses are fairly close to being accurate, you should be financially sound in your living. If you budget your expenses and plan for saving, you can really have a stable financial future.

The same can apply to following Jesus. Take a look at what you are skilled at doing. What are your talents? Now decide where these might be used in the kingdom of God. Can you apply them to any ministry, and if so are you willing to do that?

I believe we are called to be sensible and intelligent in our living. Giving our money situation an honest and accurate evaluation can lead to strong financial stability and security in our lives. Giving our spiritual situation and service potential an honest and accurate evaluation can lead to strong and rewarding ministries for us all.

DAILY CHALLENGE: If you do not already have an accurate and workable budget, create one which lists your monthly income and accurate monthly expenses.