Dear Friends,

How is it going keeping up with all of the obligations, expectations and demands on your life? It seems that no matter how much is done there is always more than needs to be done. There is always budgeting and prioritizing. We are always making decisions, especially about time. After all of the school projects, extra-curricular groups, late work shifts, and time for health and self, there may not be much for anything else.

And don’t think it changes once someone retires. Many a newly retired person has said, “I’m busier now than I ever was when I worked. Where does the time go?” Probably a better question is where does the time come from? It was created by God at the beginning.

Of course, we are always budgeting our money. We decide how much to spend on what. Some spend on vehicles, some on vacations, some on special kinds of food, (some just on food) some on cloths. We use some for living expenses, some to provide for our loved ones and those who depend on us, we have some to share with those in need and saving for the future, and perhaps some to enjoy. We are always making decisions on how to spend what we have. When there is too much month at the end of the money, we ask where did it all go? The better question is where did it all come from? It all started with God who sent it to you through jobs and work and other people.

When making decisions and budgeting it is best to start with the question “Where did it all come from?” instead of “Where did it all go?”

Psalm 103: 1-5 gives us a good starting point: Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

This gracious generous God we have makes his attitude even clearer in the New Testament, especially in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Jesus has created reality itself and has everything we need in body and soul. Yet out of his love for you he gave it all up and became the poorest of the poor. His attitude hasn’t changed in all of the years since he died and came to life again. He still provides you all you need and much of what you want.

When making decisions about how you spend time and money, especially for your church, Apostles Lutheran Church, start with knowing God’s grace and love for you. Start with the idea of God’s generosity and grace, rather than with the idea of scarcity and not having enough. It will make a huge difference. We don’t give to God out of a sense of fear and guilt, but out of an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude for all that he does and continues to do for us. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Peace,

Pastor Andrew