When training for the marathon there were many different facets to that training. One is just heavy mileage, that's the obvious one. The other things include proper diet, speed work and interval training, pace training, weight lifting, flexibility training and I'm sure I'm missing some things. As I think about training for a crown that will last I think I think about the different facets that go into a healthy spiritual life. I've been thinking about this blog and what those disciplines are. Of course, there is one that comes up in my scripture reading almost right away.
Genesis 4 is the story of Cain and Abel and brings up the issue of our giving to God. Cain gave God an offering, Abel gave him the best of his possessions. Abel pleased God and Cain didn't. God knows our hearts so he knows if we give to truly please him, or if we give because we think it will appease him.
This brings to mind the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) where a man tries so hard to store up possessions and food in barns so that later he can take life easy. Just as he gets to that point he dies, having only stored up things but was not rich towards God. Jesus continues to say (vs. 33) "Sell your possesions and give to the poor." and then in vs 34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also".
And of course there is the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19. He asks Jesus what he must do for eternal life and Jesus says "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." and the man goes away sad. He chose his money over sitting at the literal feet of Jesus.
So, the discipline that I am faced with right away is putting money in it's proper priority. What will this mean to me and my family. I'm sure the Lord will reveal to me if there are times that I put money above people or money above God. I'm praying for sensitivity to this revelation.
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