As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Praying God’s Agenda prayer guide. In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2020 in prayer together.
Submit to the One who said, “Lay up treasures in heaven.”
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Notice
The practical, down-to-earth teaching of King Jesus once again grabs our attention. Even Jesus knew about moth-eaten clothes, a rusty bucket and stolen sheep. His instruction “lived” in our world. His illustrations point us to a different kind of focus: instead of this world, focus on the next. Focus on the kingdom of God. Invest your treasures (time, talent, money) in those things that will outlast the great judgment fire of God to come. Invest in spreading the gospel of God. Invest in fulfilling the global purpose of God — the King’s Agenda.
Think about it
We’ve all probably had the experience. Perhaps it was the first dent in a new(er) car, or the theft of a new laptop, or finding termites eating away at the house. Yikes! We are reminded again and again that the stuff of this world is not what lasts. King Jesus tells us to make eternal investments, for they cannot fade. How can we invest in the King’s Agenda? Buying lunch to build friendship with our neighbor who needs the Lord; supporting our missionary friends who are taking the gospel to unreached people groups; giving faithfully to our church to support its vital local ministry (like VBS, youth group, the local pregnancy help center, even our own staff — who are giving their lives to the King). Where is your treasure invested? Will those investments outlive this present world? Do they align with the kingdom?
A prayer of submission to Christ
Father, today I place my time, my abilities and my money in your divine hands. I submit them to you. In fact, I give my whole self to you. Guide me by your Spirit to invest myself in things that will last forever. Please, Lord, create in me a generous, giving heart and renew my kingdom focus. Help me live for your agenda and not my own or the world’s. Give me discernment, so that my kingdom investments will really count and not be wasted. Father, I want to be a cheerful giver. May it be so in the name of Jesus, my King, amen.”
To read more of God’s word
Deuteronomy 12:1-12; II Corinthians 8-9; I Timothy 6:18
