Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
“I need to cease the gratification from short-term things but set my eyes upon the author and finisher of our faith and life. I need also to sacrifice which is a more radical discipline than simplicity to meet our needs rather than wants, it is a faith-building exercise that commits us to entrust ourselves to God’s care. The greatest adversary of love to God is not His enemies but His gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not from the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of the earth. For when these replaces an appetite for God Himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable.”
Justin Hi Guo Shun in “Meditation Journal #9” for my online course, Faith and Finances, in the MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management program at Asian Theological Seminary in Quezon City, near Manila, in the Philippines.
Notice Justin’s heart as it comes out. In going through Faith and Finances: A Stewardship Curriculum for Schools and Churches he has resolved to stop focusing on things and instead, set his eyes on Christ! What happens when we do that? Our faith grows stronger as we realize (experientially) God’s wondrous care for us.
He also acknowledges our greatest adversary as His gifts. In other words, we are prone, like God’s people in the days of Moses, to worship the gift of the golden calf rather than the God who gave that gift (cf. Exodus 32). Our appetite for the simple pleasures of the earth replaces our appetite for God.
Want to go through these lessons as individuals or in small groups? Check out Good and Faithful: Ten Stewardship Lessons for Everyday Living. This resource was designed, in Justin’s words, to help you both identify and cure our proclivity to desire things over God and to position you, as God’s stewards, to be found good and faithful.
I am Sioux Falls Seminary today and excited to deliver copies of these two resources to them. I would appreciate your prayers for fruitful time of teaching and discussion with students and non-profit ministry administrators. Thank you.