Keeping our priorities in order

Happy New Year! This is my first opportunity to visit with you through the pages of the TEXAN since 2008. We are already off to a busy start.

Perhaps dominating the news more than anything is the economic downturn our nation has faced in the last quarter of 2008. People are hurting unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime. Families have lost their homes. Automobiles have been repossessed. Jobs have been lost at an unprecedented level in recent history. Yet in today’s (Jan. 12) Fort Worth Star-Telegram, headlines say that Texas is less impacted than almost any other state. This does not mean we are getting a pass.

What are we to do during tough economic times? For believers this is a great time to demonstrate our true beliefs that our treasures are not in this world. Jesus was strong on placing the emphasis on the intangible. He spoke often about keeping our priorities in order.

In Luke 18 the rich man came to Jesus inquiring about eternal life. Jesus told him he had to give everything to the poor. The real test Jesus presented was “come, follow Me.” Jesus did not need his money, but he wanted his heart. The man rejected Jesus because he valued the material more than the spiritual.

In a parable found in Luke 12, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who was prospering but had lost touch with the reality that life has an end. After accumulating much wealth he died an unexpected death, leaving his wealth behind. You may have heard the question asked about the person who passed away, “How much did he leave?” The answer is, “He left it all.” The rich man in Jesus’ story valued time more than eternity. Jesus strongly states, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

Perhaps the most profound statement Jesus gives about possessions is in Luke 16:19 and following. This is the account of the rich man and Lazarus. As most of us know the rich man went to Hell not because he was rich but because he would not repent. Again, Jesus is pointing out a misplaced value system. The rich man prized the temporal more than the eternal.

Recently, a survey by one of our Southern Baptist entities showed that lost people are very unlikely to think about dying, Heaven or eternity. Suggestions have been made that we need to connect with people by approaching them with the fact that Jesus can make their lives better.
Instead of presenting the reality that they will face God one day, we need to appeal to them by showing how Jesus can help a troubled marriage, deal with a wayward child or give us financial freedom.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe Jesus can do those things and we need to tell people about his power. Yet we should never neglect the message that life is short, eternity is real and without Jesus there is no hope of Heaven. Sociologically we may be out of step. Our culture may consider our approach politically incorrect. Nevertheless we are called to bring the gospel, not some self-help or Jesus-help message for a felt need.

One other headline I saw back on Dec. 22 prompted me to make an appeal to you. It said, “Consider your charitable giving an investment.” In this tough economic time, keep tithing. Continue to fund missions and ministry through the Cooperative Program. During times of financial challenge is when we can show our true value system. Put your money where your heart is … in souls.