“One of my neighbors,” Stan began, “owns a business in the Grandsby Road Business Park. It’s quite a good business.”
“What kind of business is it?” I asked.
“I’m not much of a tech guy,” Stan replied, “so I don’t know exactly what they make, but it has something to do with digital technology.”
“But it’s a success?” I asked.
“From what I know it’s quite successful, ” Stan replied. “The products are in high demand, they have an excellent profit margin, and the money is rolling in.”
Continuing, he said, “I was talking with that neighbor the other night. She indicated she had been thinking about expanding the business, hiring more employees, and moving to a larger facility.”
“Is she going to do that?” I asked.
“No,” Stan replied. “She said she had spent a lot of time in prayer about the whole matter and is convinced God wants her to give away the excess profits for ministry work.”
“Give away the profits rather than expand the business?” I said. “That’s an interesting perspective. Did she ask your opinion about it?”
“She didn’t,” Stan replied, “but if she would have asked what I thought, I know I would have agreed completely. Kingdom building is an important part of why God has left us on this side of eternity. As well, I think it’s why God gives some people the ability to make money.”
“But,” I responded, “if your neighbor expanded the business there could be more profits to give away in the future.”
“That’s possibly true,” Stan said, “but, on the other hand, what about all of the people not reached for the Kingdom if my neighbor wanted to make more money to give away some time later? What about those whose time to step into eternity occurred before the giving did?”
Continuing, he added, “It seems to me that if the people lost for eternity because of delayed giving had a vote in the matter, they would be in favor of reaching as many of the lost as quickly as possible.”
Stan then added, “I can think of only one reason for me to delay giving to Kingdom building.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“If I’m listening to the wrong voice,”Stan replied. “If I’m listening to some other voice than to the voice of God.”
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Riches do not profit in the day or wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4.
For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your provision of eternal salvation through the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Thank you for those individuals who are involved in “Kingdom building” through the resources you provide. I pray for each individual who has been blessed financially to be moved to want to be involved with what you intend for your Kingdom. Too many people you have blessed want to keep the blessings for themselves rather than to help others avoid eternal separation from you. I ask you to move in me and in them to do what we can to help others come to the truth before it’s too late. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: If every believer were involved in personally telling others the truth of salvation, it wouldn’t take a lot of money. Do you agree with that? Why or why not? Current Kingdom building techniques require resources to get the word out telling others the truth of God’s provision of eternal salvation. How do you put a price on a person’s salvation? God’s gracious gift of His only begotten Son is free. It costs nothing to accept it, but it does cost money for others to know it’s available for free. Do you have a role to play in making resources available for Kingdom building? Why or why not? Are you doing what God has enabled you to do? If not, do you want to do so? Do you know how to do it?
Waiting for the Train 