The Money Ledger

            Years ago, it caught my attention when a periodical offered an account of how Godfrey Davies wrote his historical work on the Duke of Wellington. The periodical quoted Davies as saying this, “I found an old account ledger that showed how the Duke spent his money. It was a far better clue to what he thought was really important than the reading of his letters or speeches." 

            I once heard a preacher state, “Show me your checkbook and your [appointment book], and I will show you where your heart is.”

            Maybe that is why Jesus spent so much time talking about money. How we spend the money God bestows upon us reveals how we feel about God.

The Raffle

            Many years ago, a young man was employed by a bank for a modest salary.  He began to very noticeably live a lavish lifestyle, buying a car and demonstrating that he had suddenly become wealthy.

            Finally, one of the bank executives called him into his office. He asked the young man, “How is it that you, who are only receiving a salary of $20 a week, can spend what must certainly be $75 or more a week?”

            “Why it is simple," the clerk replied, “there are more than 200 employees here and every payday, I raffle off my salary at 50 cents a ticket.”

            Jesus said he wished his subjects felt motivated to use their intelligence and gifts for the Kingdom like people of the world do to pursue their self-interests—“That's how it is! The people of this world look out for themselves better than the people who belong to the light” (Luke 16:8b.) CEV

Priority Spending

            A story goes…

            A lady was standing in front of a casino when she was approached by a desperate looking man, “Please!” the man begged frantically, “Could you possibly spare $500. My wife is very sick, and I really need the money to take her to the doctor and to buy her the medicine she needs.”

            The lady looked at him suspiciously and said, “If I give you $500, how do I know you won’t just go into a casino and gamble it all away?”

            The man quickly responded, “Oh no, I wouldn’t do that! I’ve got gambling money!”

            We all have priorities with regard to our spending.

How Do You Disperse an Unruly Mob?

            A rookie police officer was taking an exam, which asked this question, "How would you disperse an unruly mob?"

            This was the answer he wrote, "Announce an offering. That does it every time."            

            He must have been an ex-preacher.

The Builder

This parable was sent to me over ten years ago. No one knows who wrote it, but I hope you enjoy it.

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." 

What a shock! What a shame!

If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built.  If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely.  It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project".  Who could say it more clearly?  Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past.  Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

--Author unknown

                                                                                       

Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

He Stole First!

Lawrence Ritter wrote one of the greatest baseball books of all time--THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES. It came about because Ritter, in the 1960s, traveled all over the country interviewing the great Major League Baseball players from the turn-of-the-century.

One of the stories found in the book was told about Germany Schaefer, who was a teammate of Ty Cobb on the Detroit Tigers. Germany Schaefer was the last man to steal first base. Let me explain.

The Tigers were playing Cleveland and, late in the game, the two teams were tied. Future Hall of Famer, Davy Jones, was on third base, while Schaefer was on first. Immediately before a pitch, Schaefer flashed Jones the sign for a double steal. This signified that Schaefer would steal second on the next pitch. If he drew a throw from the catcher, Jones would run for home plate.

The pitcher delivered and, sure enough, Schaefer stole second. However, the catcher refused to throw the ball to second, so Jones had to remain on third base. Now, men were on second and third.

During the next pitch, Schaefer shouted, “Let’s try again!”  Screaming like a banshee, Schaefer sprinted to first base and dove with a head-first slide. He was hoping the catcher would throw to first, but again, the catcher held on to the ball.

As for everyone else, fans and players included, they stood with their mouths wide open. They were completely stunned.

The next pitch, Schaefer let out another whoop and stole second again. This steal attempt aggravated the catcher so much that he DID throw the ball to second. Jones, then, tore off for home. Both runners were safe, and Detroit had scored a run.

Later, Major League Baseball outlawed stealing first. I have to chalk one up for Germany Schaefer. He was resourceful, if he was anything.

I believe we, as Christians, should be resourceful when it comes to the Kingdom of God. We should use our finances, our skills, our time, and every gift God gives to help advance the Kingdom. We may not steal home, but we will help others find a home—in heaven.

How Much is that TV in the Window?

Here’s one for you. Antwone Fisher recently wrote a book entitled A BOY SHOULD KNOW HOW TO TIE A TIE. It is a book of advice for—boys.

In his chapter on finances, Fisher grabbed my attention.  He creates the scenario of a young man, who wants to buy a $2000 television. He is given a “good deal” by a credit card company to receive a card that charges 18% a month in interest. He is told he can buy the $2000 television on his new card and pay only the minimum payment each month--$40.

This is too good to be true. The young man purchases the TV on his new card and begins paying it off-$40 each month.

That new TV will take 30 years to pay off.

The young man will ultimately pay $5000 in interest for a $2000 TV. After thirty years, he will have spent $7000.

In contrast, were that young man to commit $40 to a mutual fund or other stocks averaging a return of 8 % over a thirty-year period (a very realistic possibility), his investment will be worth $64,000. $46,000 will be interest paid to him!

Money. It works for us, or it works against us.

Desire. It works for us, or it works against us.