Beyond Sunday - The Source: Finding Peace

...by Bobby Jackson

Peace is elusive…
Sometimes I wonder how I can get anything done at my house. Don’t get me wrong, I love the people, but there seems to be so much going on that getting things done and reveling in the peace that provides are usually pushed into the background.
I remember the realtor telling me the day we moved in that we would always be working on something until the day we soldJ I’ve imagined realtors to have a good sense of humor and in this case, prophecy. How often does it seem that just as we’re about to grasp peace the next craziness invades? We long for peace, and need it.
Can you think of stress, conversations, feelings, actions that push peace just beyond your reach? Statistically the greatest stress that keeps peace at bay is finances.

Peace is elusive…but mostly it’s my fault.
For years my wife and I had no idea and no plan with our finances. It has cost us time, energy, certainly frustration. It’s amazing how much our financial picture wears on our mood, relationships and stress level, isn’t it? Still the number one reason couples site for a divorce is stress over finances. I guess that’s why Jesus talked about it so much.

Here are just a few of the things the Bible says regarding our finances:

-The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)
- "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)
- He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)
-"Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." (Haggai 1:5-6)
-where your treasure is there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34)

Have you had time to reflect on a couple of the statements Greg talked about on Sunday?
You will not have peace if…
-you spend more than you make
-you don’t know if you spend more than you make
-you are upside down on your house
-you owe more on your car than it is worth

If you could live for a few years like most won’t, you could live most of your years like few could.

Without a plan things fall apart and doing some practical things will help us spiritually. Because our heart follows our treasure, it matters to God where our treasure is. Our treasure follows what God wants so our heart will follow what God wants. I’m thankful that Suncrest helps by offering classes like Financial Peace University. If you’re interested in this class at Suncrest, contact Robin McHugh at 219.365.9000.