TODAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE

Yesterday we looked this rightful accusation the Lord makes against Israel:

“I despise the pride and false glory of Israel, and hate their beautiful homes” (Amos 6:8, Living Bible paraphrase).

I brought us to the present by pointing out how many of us live in “beautiful homes” with huge monthly payments that we manage to meet, even though we return little or no money to the Lord through our churches or other Christian organizations.

It boils down to this, folks: you can’t be STUFFED-obsessed and be CHRIST-possessed. If you’ve given Jesus Christ Lordship over every area of your life, there’s no place left for obsessing on materialism, because where Jesus reigns, He’s enough.

Am I saying that a true believer isn’t going to want nice things? Of course not. But a true believer who is totally committed to the Lord Jesus Christ isn’t going to have nice things while refusing to give to the work of the Lord. And a truly sold-out believer isn’t going to ignore the needs of others while he stacks up stuff for himself.

As we move closer to Christmas, I hope you’ll spend some serious time in the Word of God and in reordering your priorities. Spend less on stuff this Christmas. Refuse to spend for things you can’t pay cash for. Instead of giving to those who already have more than enough, agree among your friends and family to put that money to better use by providing for those less fortunate.

If you don’t think your little bit of money can make a difference, let me ask you to take a quick quiz:

Not even considering all those unnecessary (and often unwanted) gifts we buy each Christmas, how much money do Americans spend just on CANDY during the holiday season? Is it more money than the annual budget of:

(1) The American Cancer Society;
(2) The American Heart Association;
(3) Habitat for Humanity; or
(4) All three combined.

If you chose Number 4, you answered correctly. Can you think of better ways and places to give your time and money this Christmas season?

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and… your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (Second Corinthians 9:10-11).

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture is from the New International Version (NIV).