roadcrew 40|3

Christians, last time we talked about this game of life in Pt. 1  and the currency here.  I want to make sure that you all understand I am not saying that the currency here does not matter. I want to reiterate that while playing this game, the things in the game matter very much.  We all need to eat, live somewhere, get around, function in this world, so we do need to be good stewards of our finances on this earth. In fact, there is a verse where it says, “if you can’t be trusted with worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”  We want God to trust us with eternal things, we must be good stewards with the physical things here. But, how can we store up those treasures in heaven, while living on this earth? The currency of Heaven is FAITH.

If you look at all of the people in the Bible, the acts of faith they did for God, none of the them required great sums of money to accomplish, however, they required great sums of faith.  The book of Hebrews, the 11th Chapter, talks about the “Faith Hall of Fame.” We look at those people and are amazed at what they did for God. If you notice, there are some kings, people who lived in palaces – David, Joseph, Moses.  It was not their position in life, but their heart position that got them a place in this hall of fame. Anyone can have worldly wealth for any reason, but to have faith in God, well that takes someone special. Not even everyone who calls themselves a Christian, lives a life of faith.  

Hebrews 11:1 – defines faith for us as : Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. That means, by definition – from GOD – if you can see your way out of a situation, you are not dealing with faith.  If you question what you hope for, you are not operating in faith. Faith is the assurance – the confidence of the promise, of what we DO NOT see.  When you play this game of life,  you should be doing it in such a way to not win now, but to win in eternity.  

While others run around trying to make a name for themselves, you run around, not caring if you have a name, as long as others know His name: Jesus.  Instead of amassing sums of wealth to gain position in the world, you steward sums of wealth for Him so that masses of people are affected for His Kingdom.  Instead of living for yourself, you die to yourself for others. Instead of making sure your will is done, you submit your life to God and desire His will to be done.  Instead of thinking about safety and self-preservation on this earth to save your life, you lay your life down in order to gain eternal life. While on this earth, Jesus did all of these things, He affected lives, laid down His position, acted in faith, and pleased God.  He was the first of many brothers and sisters, which we are called to be.

How do we use the currency of faith?  It is almost too simple. We simply do whatever God leads us to do.  Now, for me, it is ministry. God called me to ministry October of 2008.  I started roadcrew 40|3 in January 2016. It hasn’t brought me any wealth, it hasn’t brought me any fame, but that was never the point.  It has brought me an opportunity to make Him known – and that is what it’s truly about. As I sought first His kingdom and His righteousness, He has made sure the natural things of this life were taken care of throughout that time.  For you it might be the missions field, it could be seminary, it could be corporate America, just an “ordinary” job, or a stay at home parent. God has a purpose, plan, will for each of our lives, but He is not forcing anyone to do anything. He is simply waiting.  Waiting for someone, anyone to say, “I have confidence in what I hope for, and assurance of what I do not see, I have Faith.”  

God doesn’t care about your past, He only wants to direct your future.  He doesn’t care about your socio-economic status, your gender, your age, your weight, your skin color.  He used people in the Bible, from every tribe and tongue. He has a worldwide, universal, kingdom that runs on the same currency: Faith.  From the underground Churches in Asia, the remote plains of Africa, the diverse conglomeration of culture and language in Europe, to the Americas and all they encompass from the tip top of Canada and Alaska, to Cape Horn in southern Chile: Faith is the currency of the Church.  

Many people work hard, save money, die to their current self and put money away for a retirement, so they can enjoy themselves one day.  They make a conscious decision to steward worldly wealth, invest it, store it up, so they can for maybe 30, 40, or 50 years if they are blessed, enjoy themselves and the position they set up on this earth.  Christians, we are ETERNAL beings that will exist with God in eternity FOREVER. If we understand this, then we can truly live differently here on this earth, because we know we are making decisions, living life differently now, so we can truly be in a position to enjoy the eternal position God has for us.  

And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?  Luke 16:11 (NLT)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42 (NLT)

For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  Romans 8:29 (NIV)

For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].  Matthew 16:25 (AMPC)

Next Time: This Game of Life Pt. 3: Your Fellow Players

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written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2019