Your Money Matters

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)

It is very difficult for both individuals and couples to talk about money.  Yet Jesus spoke about money more frequently than any other subject except the kingdom of God.  It is after all the most common source of conflict between couples.  The dollar serves as a weapon of independence.  It provides a battleground for disputes over responsibility and judgment.  Financial issues can even be a forum for airing doubts about self-worth.

Jesus' careful attention to financial issues is one of the truly amazing things about the Gospel narratives.  It is startling: from the parable of the sower (Matt 13:22) to the parable of the rich farmer (Luke 12: 16-21), from the encounter with the rich young ruler (Matt 19:21) to the encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19), from the teachings on trust in the sixth chapter of Matthew to teachings on the danger of weath in the sixth chapter of Luke.

Behind money are invisibile spiritual powers, powers that seduce and deceive.  Paul saw this fact when he observed that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (1 Tim 6:10).  Every marriage must build a fortress against these beguiling forces.

Treasures are not necessarily evil in themselves. It is the improper value that we place on the treasures that cause them to be illegitimate for the kingdom citizen. It is that which so ties us to the world that is bent on rebellion to God, and loosens our hands from the plow of obedience that gives treasures wrong values.

Jesus centered his words upon areas that his audience found most valuable. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Garments were so valuable in the first century that some were passed down as part of family inheritance. The wealthy would indicate their importance by having their garments stitched with golden thread. But Jesus reminds them that a single "moth" could ruin a valued garment.

"Rust" literally means, "eating." It conveys the idea of decaying or corroding or consuming a product. The word was often used of stored grain being ruined by decay or eaten by vermin. It could also refer to some metal object held as a treasure being destroyed by rust.

Then Jesus speaks of valuable stones and gems being hidden in a house only to have "thieves break in and steal." The hardened clay of ancient houses made for easy entry by thieves with sharp digging tools. All they had to do was chisel a hole in the side of the house, and make their getaway with the family's valuables. Some would hide their valuables in the center of the house away from exterior walls to insulate their possessions from breaking and entering. But they lived in fear that what they held most dear would be taken from them.

What are your"treasures"? Have you thought about this lately? Maybe you have the best CD or movie collection among your friends. Has that become a treasure that has tethered you to the world? Maybe it is your athletic or musical abilities that have taken over your heart's most valuable list. Or perhaps it is your looks or your hair or your physique or your voice or your personality that you treasure more than anything else. If moth or rust can destroy it, if thieves can steal it, if the passing of years can diminish it, if a change of circumstances can wreck it then it is a treasure that you are storing upon the earth - and Jesus assures you that it will not last. Kingdom citizens must learn to treasure up lasting treasures.

 

 

 

Rev Dr. Ronnie Ng

Lighten Up

The Bible talks about "sounds of joy and gladness" (Jer 7:34).  In Proverbs 15:15, it says that "the cheerful heart has a continual feast."  The psalmist sings, "our mouths were filled with laughter (126:2). Isaiah exults, "shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth" (49:13).  Jesus told his disciples after he left them, "your grief will turn to joy.....and no one take away your joy." (John 16:20).

We cannot tell you exactly how to bring more laughter into your family or marriage; that is very much a matter of personal preference.  But suffice to say that your marriage will benefit greatly from humor.  Laughter has important physiological effects on yuo and your partner.  Modern research indicates that people with a sense of humor have fewer symptoms of physical illness than those who are less humorous.  "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22).

To love, laugh and have our spirits lifted up is crucial in a marriage.  Enjoy each other as the years go by, sharing the same spiritual faith that transcends all boundaries, all social, intellectual, physical and spiritual limits.

While the world is constantly changing, couples need to cherish one another through regular communication, sharing and laughter.




Rev Dr. Ronnie Ng

Forgivness in Marriage

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Col 3:12-14)

Forgiveness is critically important to the success of marriage.  Forgiveness is the only way to break the inevitable cycle of blame and pain in a marriage.  Two people living together are going to, at some point, get on each other's nerves.  A power struggle will emerge over a tit-for-tat issue: 
"I can't believe you didn't buy the cereal I like". 
"Wait a minute, aren't you supposed to be in charge of the groceries?"
"Don't try to pass the blame to me - you said you would buy it"
"Yes, but I told you to remind me."
"Why should I? It's your responsibility."

I am sure this sound too familiar - the conversation can go on and on until one of the partners says, "I am sorry, Will you forgive me?"

Marriage cannot last without forgiveness.  If you are looking for fairness and perfection, don't look for it in marriage.  Soul mates survive on forgiveness, not fairness.

Forgiving is a way of saying, "I am human.  I make mistakes.  I want to be granted that privilege, and so I grant you that privilege.  So wrap your marriage in forgiveness.  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph 4:32)



Rev Dr. Ronnie Ng

Serve One Another

^{13 "}You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." (Gal 5:13)

Ye have been called unto liberty - A total freedom from all the burthensome rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Only use not that liberty for an occasion to the flesh. By flesh, here, we may understand all the unrenewed desires and propensities of the mind; whatsoever is not under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. Your liberty is from that which would oppress the spirit; not from that which would lay restraints on the flesh.  The Gospel proclaims liberty from the ceremonial law: but binds you still faster under the moral law. To be freed from the ceremonial law is the Gospel liberty; to pretend freedom from the moral law is Antinomianism.  By love serve one another - Having that faith which worketh by love, serve each other to the uttermost of your power, when necessary, as slaves serve their masters.

There are literally hundred of ways to serve - offering hospitality in your home, volunteering at a shelter, sponsoring a needy child, working in the church nursery.  The key is to find something that fits your personal style.


Rev Dr. Ronnie Ng