Tag: Teen Esteem

The GOAT Part 8: Treasure

As we continue our series, the Greatest of All Time, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount challenges us to consider what we treasure most in our lives. He warns us that even while our finances and earthly treasures are fleeting and unreliable, our wealth continually lures us away from devotion to God. In this section of the sermon, Jesus urges us to teach our hearts to treasure Him above all else:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:19-24, NIV)

It may seem obvious, but whatever we focus on dictates our actions. So, when we set our sights on earthly success and wealth, we will use our energy to fulfill those desires. Conversely, when we focus on God’s priorities, our actions will reflect different goals—and our reward in heaven will last forever. Treasure is anything we value above all else. According to Jesus, determining where our treasure is also determines where our heart is.1

When our priorities align with God’s, we see money as a tool, not a source of status or security. God entrusts us with financial resources that provide for our needs. But beyond meeting our own necessities, we also have opportunities to use our finances for His kingdom– whether that is supporting ministries, charities, or specific people. Usually, whatever motivates us to action is what we prize. When we are overly focused on our own pleasure, comfort, or security, we become self-centered and blind to the ways our material resources could be used for God’s greater purposes.

If you’re not accustomed to sharing your financial resources regularly, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Giving to your local church is a good place to start, especially if you’re benefitting from the resources it provides. Most churches also designate a portion of their budgets to support ministries doing impactful work locally and globally. Beyond donating to your church, you may consider investing in God’s kingdom by giving to ministries that focus on issues that matter to you. For example, when our boys were little, my husband and I started sponsoring two boys around their ages through Compassion International. The desire to see our own children thrive motivated us to support other kids with less resources so that they, too, could thrive. It’s been gratifying to see how the small amount we donate monthly has made a significant impact on their daily lives. Receiving their letters and pictures over the years has also created a bond between us.

Over time our hearts have also been drawn to other places where we feel passionate about investing earthly treasures for God’s kingdom purposes. It’s brought us great joy to devote a portion of our income to supporting ministries that are inspiring us personally and making an eternal difference in the world. Knowing our resources are being used to impact others for good fulfills us in a way that spending on ourselves never does. (Check out my list of ideas below for some inspiration.)

Paul reinforces Jesus’ teaching in his first letter to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs…Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”  (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19, NIV)

The only treasure that is 100% trustworthy is found in God’s kingdom. Our pursuit of Jesus enables us to align our priorities with His in ways that are both spiritual and practical. It opens doors for Him to use our time and finances for greater impact and lets us discover the value of lasting treasure found only in Him. And that is “life that is truly life.”

If trusting God with your finances is a struggle for you, pray and admit it to Him. Ask Him to help you, then take a step of faith and set aside a portion of your income to invest in God’s kingdom. Consider starting a separate generosity fund where you can stash money that is earmarked for giving. Then you’ll have funds available to share as God prompts you. This intentional act will show the Lord you trust Him, change your perspective on finances, and give Him new opportunities to work in your life.

Need some ideas on where to give? Consider these opportunities and be attentive to how the Spirit prompts you. (Click on the names of the ministries to visit their websites and get more info.)

Help end human trafficking and support its victims by donating to International Justice Mission.

Transform the trajectory of at-risk youth by donating to Today’s Youth Matter.

Provide food, medical care, and schooling for needy kids overseas by sponsoring a child at Compassion International.

Empower women with unplanned pregnancies to make confident and healthy life choices through giving to Next Step Pregnancy Decision and Support Services.

Provide quality schooling and mentoring for underprivileged kids by giving to San Francisco City Academy.

Provide food, medical care, and services for the needy by giving to San Francisco City Impact.

Introduce college students to Jesus by donating to Cru.

Educate struggling teens to make healthy life choices by giving to Teen Esteem.

Focusing on the treasure found in the Lord matters more than anything else. Click here to be reminded of this through Pat Barrett’s song “Better”.

1. Paragraph adapted from GotQuestions.org. Click here for full article.

This post complements Bill Haslim’s sermon at CPC Danville “The GOAT Part 8.” Click here to watch.

Bad Story, Good Lessons

She was a young teenager, the only daughter among a crowd of sons. Living in a new place, she was curious about clothes, customs, and social events that were different from her family’s. Most likely she was also a little naïve, not considering the harm that could come to her by sneaking away to mix with new friends at a local festival.

He was accustomed to getting his way. As a young man of privilege, he probably carried a sense of entitlement. When he saw something he wanted, he took it and dealt with the consequences later. Maybe he knew his powerful father would follow behind him to clean up the mess. So when he saw the new girl in town, he didn’t think twice about pursuing her. Maybe it started out as a friendly flirtation, but it quickly escalated into something entirely different. No one had any idea how the collision of these two lives would forever change the city and the family who had come to live on its outskirts.

Sounds like the makings of a modern movie, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s the story of Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, and the prince of Shechem, as told in the book of Genesis (with a bit of creative license based on commentaries). It’s a sordid tale that makes us uncomfortable, but there are things we can learn if we’re willing to move past our squeamishness. Finding personal application in it reminds us that times have changed, but human nature has remained the same.

Dinah’s Downfall: “Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, ‘Get me this girl for my wife.’” (Genesis 34:1-3, NIV)

Scholars believe Dinah was a young adolescent, somewhere between the ages of 12 and 16. Naturally, she was curious and interested in developing her social life, as most teens would be. But her parents hadn’t equipped her with the wisdom to recognize the dangers of the outside world. No one explained how vulnerable she would be out on her own, even in a place that looked so inviting. In fact, no one seemed to be paying much attention to her until it was too late. 

It’s tempting to point the finger of blame at the family members who didn’t seem to value Dinah enough to watch out for her. But how often can we be guilty of the same today? Teenagers may look like adults who eagerly exert their independence, but we’re fooling ourselves if we think they know how to navigate the world entirely on their own (both online and in real life). Sheltering adolescents seems like a quick fix, but isn’t realistic or beneficial to them. Leaving them to their own devices isn’t the answer either. We need to find middle ground where we’re engaged in their lives and connecting with them consistently so we can earn their trust. Only then will they be open to receiving the truth and wisdom they need from adults to make wise choices. If you’re not parenting a teen, you still have opportunities to connect and pour into them in many ways—whether it’s as a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, a neighbor, a youth leader, a co-worker, a work supervisor, a teacher, a mentor, a coach, a tutor, or any other role that puts you in contact with this precious and vulnerable age group. (See below for helpful resources on understanding teens and their world).

Dinah’s Brothers Misuse God’s Covenant: “The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully, because he had defiled their sister Dinah. They said to them, ‘We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a disgrace to us. Only on this condition will we agree with you—that you will become as we are by every male among you being circumcised.  Then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will dwell with you and become one people. But if you will not listen to us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter, and we will be gone.’” (Genesis 34:13-17, NIV)

Jacob’s sons used the sacred sign of God’s covenant as a tool of manipulation. Insisting that all the men of the town be circumcised was a ruse for making them vulnerable to attack. Using anything God has given us to inflict harm on others has no place in the life of a believer. It’s dishonoring to Him and defiles the sacred things He’s given us. The Church has had many shameful seasons in history when hateful acts were committed in the name of the Lord. We shouldn’t use pressure or manipulation to force people into God’s ways. Our role is to plant seeds of faith, it’s the Holy Spirit who makes them grow and brings true life transformation.

Dinah’s Brothers Take Revenge: “And all who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city. On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and came against the city while it felt secure and killed all the males. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house and went away. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain and plundered the city, because they had defiled their sister.” (Genesis 34:24-27, NIV)

Simeon and Levi decided to stand up for their sister and take their revenge to a gruesome extreme. In the process, they ruined the lives of everyone in Shechem and made their family a stench in the land. What they did was so detestable that their father cursed them on his deathbed:

“Simeon and Levi are brothers—  their swords   are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel! I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5-7, NIV)

Dinah’s brothers probably imagined how satisfying it would be to get revenge, but it backfired on them in the end.  When we’ve been wronged, Scripture instructs us not to give in to our thirst for revenge: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21, NIV) Rather than bringing peace and contentment, revenge only escalates painful situations and perpetuates hate and violence. Trust God to handle vengeance and do your best to live at peace with everyone.

How I wish Dinah could have heard the words of “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle. Let the song comfort you and remind you of God’s attentiveness in whatever difficulties you’re facing. (Once you click below, a new window will open, then click “Watch on YouTube”).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgkNB4939YM

Want more info on how to understand teens and their culture? Check out these resources:

Axis.org

Teenesteem.org

Chapclark.com