Boards of Faith
"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household..." (Hebrews 11:7)
Our Pastor Aaron recently reflected on Noah's faith in his message, speaking about the human-ness Noah would have dealt with in working decades constructing an ark on dry land that had never seen rain. How he dwelt alongside a wicked generation that had no interest in the things of God, yet Noah persevered... board by board, in faith unto the Lord. Every day that Noah woke up and began work by measuring and cutting those boards - each of those completed boards showed a completed step of faith.
It can be visualized the same way with us in our obedience to God in our finances.
Like Noah, we have been given specific instruction from the Lord. First, to honor, love and give to Him in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10-11). Then to be wise stewards who spend less than we make (Proverbs 21:20), and to be generous towards others in need (1 John 3:16-18).
Each time you make the wise choice in these areas, it is finishing another "board" of faith, which goes against the grain of the world around us. Most in the world view what believers do in obedience with their finances with the same disinterest they did with Noah and his ark and following God.
Unlike Noah, we are not fashioning boards and assembling them together for one horrific event... we are having the daily mindset to humble ourselves before our God, submitting to Him in reverence. Bringing our first fruits to Him, denying ourselves to the excesses of this age, and when giving to others doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. However, like Noah, each of these is being done in faith.
Each of those three areas (tithes/offerings, avoiding debt, generous giving) will have an impact on this lost generation around us. Our tithes and offerings support the good news being spread out in our community and also to our missionaries around the globe. Our avoidance and reduction of debt can be an open door when others see such a different approach. And our giving in Christ's name will always bring glory to God, as it has the capacity to reshape that person's view of God and that they are loved by Him.
In regards to the unbeliever, those "boards" we are assembling do work towards an ark for them in the form of Jesus Christ, who is the Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Rock, True Vine, The Way, the Truth and the Life.
So be encouraged in your daily faith with how you handle your finances, knowing how each positive step in this area strengthens your faith in God, and with the power of the incorruptible seed has the ability to make an eternal impact for others.
Lastly, take with you these two faith-filled verses, which have the power to support you in times of need:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29)
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
