Pastor Ernie Frey, one of our Overseers here at The Summit, visited on Sunday with his family. They all shared with the church as we took a look at radical generosity. As this was the second message in a two-part series on stewardship, it was another opportunity to explore the idea of heavenly treasure.
I’m sure you’ve heard of King Tut and the treasure he was buried with. At his burial, he had been prepared for the afterlife. Unfortunately, all of his treasure was earthy, and none of it actually followed him into the afterlife. A modern-day way of looking at this is thinking you can pull your U-Haul with your hearse! This seems so ridiculous, but history tells us that countless people have tried to take material possessions and wealth from the physical world into a spiritual world.
Think back to last week. What was your Eureka moment? Hopefully, you’ve realized how much God has given to you and know what you need to give away, whether that be money, possessions, or time. Pastor Ernie mentioned seven barriers and misconceptions to giving (“Scroogisms”). These barriers and misconceptions are: Living and giving as if 1) Earth is our home and not heaven, 2) we don’t have enough, 3) money is ours to keep rather than steward, 4) the rest of the world does not matter, 5) money truly satisfies, 6) we’ll always have it (money), and 7) money defines who you are.
Allowing these barriers and misconceptions in your life will result in a temporary, earthy mindset. Rather than living this way, remember that all you have is FROM God and is FOR God! Nothing on this earth can fully satisfy you. You need the Savior, and the best way to live is to model what He did—give of what you have and put others first.