v. 1 Ships from Tarshish have no home to return to because Tyre is destroyed.
vv. 7-8 Tyre was different from other nations who were known for power like Assyria or Babylon. Tyre was a wealthy nation where their "merchants were princes." They were known for their shipping and trade industry.
Their pride was in their wealth.
v. 9 Who brought this great nation down?
Well, obviously...
Power and wealth are two symbols of success in this world. Along with power comes wealth. The two are inseparable. And, this is what people reach for.
In v. 17-18 Tyre comes back to the LORD but the money this nation makes is no longer theirs, it is the LORD's. And is that bad news? No. That's just the way it's supposed to be.
We're not called to be poor. If you are called to make money in an honest way - in a way that does not hinder others - then you should but acknowledge that this money is the LORD's.
[Following from Oswalt, 277]
John Wesley (a famous Christian) believed that a person should not squander this wealth on what he called "dainties" or "delicacies." Basically stuff beyond our needs. But rather, it should "be used to advance the kingdom of God in us and in those around us." He proposed four principles:
1) In spending this money, am I acting as a steward of God's money? (I'm like an executive given charge over God's bank account. You represent God's spending.)
2) Am I spending in obedience to his Word and what scripture points to this?
3) Is this act an act of worship, an offering to God?
4) Do I have reason to believe that for this work/spending I will be rewarded in heaven?
May we be God's faithful stewards of His money. If our spending (cent by cent) were printed in the newspaper, may we have no shame in what we have done with the money God has given to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment