Thursday, January 19, 2017
Thinking about houses, homes, money, and Jesus
So I have been asked a few follow-up questions about finances after my last post. Here are few more thoughts.
Houses. I have no problem with big, even expensive, houses. But I do think there are a few things you always ought to consider.
What is my motivation for a bigger house? If it to use it for Kingdom business... great. Showers, teen hangout, company, family gatherings. If it is to keep up with your -- or your kids -- friends ... then not so holy. But do not fool yourself about what you would do with a bigger, nicer house. If you are not using what you now have for the Kingdom ... you won't use your new house either. We chose to stay in a small house we could afford. Marsha has always -- and still does -- all those kinds of things listed above. If you want to use your house, you will. After all, Marsha fed 200 college kids about 500 dove in that house. All in two hours. Three years in a row.
Do not over-reach for your house. I think budgeting is a great spiritual discipline.
I think your home can be made in any kind of house. Houses do not make the home.
I absolutely think your house can be a holy place. I love it when people ask us to pray over their house so it will consecrated for Kingdom business.
Pray over you house decisions. Ask God for a clear sign to sell or buy.
Who knows, God may lead us to a different house someday. We still occasionally check out other houses. But we learned a long time ago to be content where we are. God, Marsha and the kids made it into a great Jesus home.
So God thanks for our house. Help us still to be good stewards of this place you gave us. It is a holy place. We promise to keep using it to your glory.
Houses. I have no problem with big, even expensive, houses. But I do think there are a few things you always ought to consider.
What is my motivation for a bigger house? If it to use it for Kingdom business... great. Showers, teen hangout, company, family gatherings. If it is to keep up with your -- or your kids -- friends ... then not so holy. But do not fool yourself about what you would do with a bigger, nicer house. If you are not using what you now have for the Kingdom ... you won't use your new house either. We chose to stay in a small house we could afford. Marsha has always -- and still does -- all those kinds of things listed above. If you want to use your house, you will. After all, Marsha fed 200 college kids about 500 dove in that house. All in two hours. Three years in a row.
Do not over-reach for your house. I think budgeting is a great spiritual discipline.
I think your home can be made in any kind of house. Houses do not make the home.
I absolutely think your house can be a holy place. I love it when people ask us to pray over their house so it will consecrated for Kingdom business.
Pray over you house decisions. Ask God for a clear sign to sell or buy.
Who knows, God may lead us to a different house someday. We still occasionally check out other houses. But we learned a long time ago to be content where we are. God, Marsha and the kids made it into a great Jesus home.
So God thanks for our house. Help us still to be good stewards of this place you gave us. It is a holy place. We promise to keep using it to your glory.
