Monday, August 07, 2006

• Seeking First His Kingdom!

  This is the question I've been asking myself this morning as I evaluate my previous two weeks. Did I seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness or did I seek to build my own kingdom here on earth? (Mt. 6:33) Where was my main focus? What did I invest most of my time on? Where were most of my thoughts? Were the things that were important to God (spoken of specifically in Scripture) first on my agenda?

  Did I visit that lonely widow on the corner who sits day after day in her home because she is too feeble to venture out? Or was I too busy to stop?

  Did I visit the wife who has no friends?

  Did I help that person who's funds are less than mine by delivering a much needed bed to her home? Or did I immediately think to myself that I’m too busy to help!

  Was I available when someone needed help unloading her groceries?

  Did I offer to watch someone's children when they 'hinted' they needed a sitter?

  Or instead did I spend my time sewing birthday gifts which monopolized most of my week and baking extra desserts for a family function (which was beyond what was asked and took 5 hours of kitchen time)? Therefore, my days were strained and my heart was not set on serving others.
  
  Well, I hate to admit to the latter. It may seem like I'm splitting hairs but I believe that the choices (no matter how small) I make each day either help or hinder me in fulfilling God's specific commands.

  This is where I tend to get clouded in my goals for the week... between the 'good' things' and the ‘commanded‘ duties. No where in Scripture are we commanded not to sew! In fact, we have an example in Proverbs where the 'excellent wife' sewed garments to sell and also made tapestry for herself. My motive was not bad or evil and I do not believe I was sinning by doing so. I was simply trying to stretch our budget and be a faithful steward of what the Lord had given us. But, was this the BEST use of my time this past week? Did it hinder me from doing those SPECIFIC things that God has commanded in the New Testament scripture? Was there another way I could have handled this situation?

  Here is a question I've been pondering. Did my grandchildren NEED those extra items I sewed? Were they naked or so low on clothing that my sewn items actually would have made a difference to their comfort? Would the other two gifts I purchased been enough without adding the items I sewed? Yes, I believe they would have been just as happy with the other gifts I purchased without adding the sewed items. And no, my grandchildren have no need of more clothes OR TOYS for that matter. They have an abundance.

  So many times I THINK we need this or that and then I seek to allow that 'NEED' to dominate my time. But, in reality, when I look to Scripture to guide my choices, I can see that my decision has been influenced by being an American. Our affluence and materialism so often dictate our decisions. We set up living standards chosen because of the culture we live in rather than looking to God's Word.

  God's Word says that we are to be content with food and clothing. (1 Tim. 6:8) Am I? Do I believe that I have to PILE on the gifts to my children and grandchildren in order to show my love? I think I do believe this and it simply should not be true.

  Now here is something to think about....What would my example of putting 'God's kingdom first' this week said to my children and grandchildren? Would it have sparked a desire in them to do the same thing? Would this have been the best use of my time in the long run because it would have eternal value both for myself, my children and my grandchildren?

  It can be such a fine dividing line between the 'good' and the ‘commanded’ but as each day.. then week... then month passes... if I choose those things that are 'good' I CROWD out what is specifically commanded in Scripture and as a result have laid up my treasure here on earth instead of laying up treasure in heaven.

  I'm thinking of so many other 'good' things that may crowd out God's ‘commanded’ such as home decorating to keep up with current fashion, a wife’s job when it’s not a necessity, sports, running our children to 'lessons', window shopping, crafts, and 'hobby' farms. No command is given against any of these things and we would not be sinning if we did them. But, is something that is being commanded in Scripture NOT being done because we are investing and using up our time in these other areas?

  So, it's a new week and I will have many choices to make over the next few days. Will I seek FIRST ... HIS.... KINGDOM and righteousness or will I fill my days with activities that will not count for eternity? This not only includes visiting widows and orphans but loving my husband and children, being workers (guarding) my home (Titus 2:3-5) and many, many more commands in the New Testament. God gives me the choice. May I be found faithful when He returns!

  * My dear friend has been writing about something similiar on her family website.

  Check it out at  GIVENGRACE  http://givengrace.com/Our%20Stuff.htm Scroll down to 'Make an Impact'.

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