What Matters

Work that Fulfils

Work was part of God's original blessing.  Work is one of God's best ideas - really!  In this message we explre a biblcal framework for finding fulfilment in our work.  Along the way we will discover that Christians never really retire.  Read the message here: Download Work that Fulfils  Listen to the message here: Download Work that Fulfils

Moderation (Proverbs 30)

Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.  (Proverbs 30:7-9)

Wow - what a chapter!  This is perhaps my favourite in the whole Book of Proverbs.  At the start, Agur says that he is the most ignorant of men (v. 2), and then proceeds to detail some of the most insighful, evocative and witty words in the whole collection of wise sayings.  Here we see again that humility is the beginning of wisdom.

Agur seeks life in the middle.  With enough food to eat, but not enough to become bloated; a life of moderation.  This is consistent with repeated admonitions in the Bible about wealth and poverty; neither are God's desire for humanity.  Poverty is a curse, a distortion of God's economy that results from the sin of injustice and greed.  Wealth is a danger, a snare that traps the unsuspecting in pride and ignorance.

Our life is created to be lived in dependence on God, and so we pray, 'Give us today Lord our daily bread.'  In our affluent society much of life is centred around getting, protecting and growing our wealth.  We never seem to have enough money, even when historically we enjoy lifestyles unrivalled.  So many of us are never, ever satisfied.  So Lord, Agur's prayer is my prayer - lead me into a life of moderation and daily dependence on you.

Financial Focus (Proverbs 27)

Be sure you know the conditions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.  (Proverbs 27:23-24)

I am trained as an accountant.  Through my financial career I was paid to give careful attention to the state of client's assets and income.  Our job was to help them protect and grow their wealth.  In the firm I worked for were business consultants, tax advisers and auditors.  There were also insolvency experts - people who wound up companies in financial distress and led individuals through the travails of bankruptcy.  Their very presence, not to mention lucrative business, is testimony to the fact that riches do not endure forever.

My confession is that as with doctors who do not take care of their physical state, I have been guilty of being an accountant who paid too little attention to our family's financial affairs.  There was/is always more important things to do.  Such focus requires discipline that I do not always have.  But Proverbs gives multiple warnings, father to son, to be focused, diligent and disciplined in protecting that which God has given us.  John Wesley's adage on such matters was, 'Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can.'

Thank you Lord for what you have blessed me and my family with, including the incredible opportunities we have living in this abundant country.  Help me to live out of a sense of gratitude as I protect and grow what you have given us for your glory.

Marriage that Works

Woody Allen has said that there are three rings involves in a marriage; an engagement ring, a wedding ring and the suffering!  Marriage is, it seems, an institution under threat.  While this may be the case, it is still one of God best ideas and greatest gifts.  Here we explore the uncommon wisdom of Proverbs as to how we build marriages that work.  Listen in here: Download Marriage that Works Or read the manuscript here: Download Marriage Manuscript Final

 

Financial Vapor (Proverbs 23)

Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.  (Proverbs 23:5)

I am a (recovering) accountant, so I have more than a passing interest in things financial.  I still read the Business section of the paper, we dabble in the stock-market and I sometimes wonder what might have been if I had stayed working in commerce rather than embarking on full-time ministry.  I remember being in bible college, driving my crappy car past my previous place of employment and thinking, 'Why did i give that (income) up?'  Not very noble I know, but that is the truth of it.

The Gold Coast is boom and bust central.  Even the name of our city in some ways denotes the glitzy sheen that we attempt to coat ourselves in.  It is a city of multi-million dollar apartments, waterfront mansions, 'new' money, luxury cars and lots and lots of debt.  Developers come and go, property cycles churn wildly and new businesses start daily, while others fold just as quick.  If ever there was a city that testified to the fleeting nature of riches, ours is it.

But here is the thing; as much as money comes and goes just as easily, still people invest a lifetime in its pursuit.  Some of them are successful, with the symbol of that success a mansion on the water with more bedrooms than they could ever need and little or no family and friends to share it with.  Truly, really riches lies not in our bank balances, property holdings or stock-market portfolio, but in the wealth of the relationships with others, and especially God, that we enjoy.

Pursuing Excellence (Proverbs 22)

Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)

There are some things I wished I learned a lot earlier in life.  More particularly, there are some things I have pretty much always known that I wish I had applied earlier.  One of these life-lessons is to make the most of what I have - in this case the God-given gifts that I have been entrusted with.

One of the gifts that God has given me is the ability to preach and teach. I preached my first sermon at 18, and with the gift of the gab, my rough and ready words garnered some positive feedback and I was away.  Truth be told, for many years after I coasted on my ability to tell a story and weave some phrases together.  Some messages were better than others; all could have been much better had I been more focused on developing my skills as a communicator.

Bill Hybels has an axiom, 'Excellence honors God and inspires people.'  Since coming to Newlife I have had to become much more disciplined in preparing for preaching.  Before coming, the opportunity and challenge of preaching week in, week out to the same group of people excited and terrified me.  Would I have enough to say?  Anything to say?  These questions drove me deeper into reading God's Word, studying and into many more hours of sermon preparation than I previously engaged in.  And, surprise - surprise, I believe my skills and effectiveness as a communicator have increased markedly.  The really cool thing is that I know there is a lot more improvement in me, so for many more years yet I will enjoy the journey towards God-honoring excellence. 

Count the Cost (Proverbs 20)

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. (Proverbs 20:25)

I am impulsive by nature.  I tend to make decisions and commitments quickly.  There have been (many) times I have regretted doing so. Why did I say I would do this?  What was I thinking?  The point is that too often I have not thought through carefully the things I should consider before declaring to God and/or others my promises.  But I am learning.

At present I am considering nominating for a position in the wider church.  It is a role that I think suits me and my gifts.  Before I take the leap though I am working my way through a number of questions and steps.  I have asked those close to me whether it is a good idea.  I have considered what I may need to stop doing in order to take up this role.  I have got all the information I can about what is required by the role in terms of meetings and out of meeting commitments.  In short, I am attempting to count the cost of any commitment before making it.

What applies to me as an individual equally applies to the community I belong to.  Before we step out into any new major mission venture we should prayerfully and carefully consider the cost (the financial cost, people cost, opportunity cost etc.) before making the leap.  This is hard and requires great discipline, but in the end is fundamental to healthy and effective life.

Flood Sermon

Over the last week our state (and country) has been overwhelmed by the devastating effect of floods.  Their size has been breathtaking and the stories that have emerged have been heartbreaking.  Here I address some of the questions I have wrestled with as a result.  You can read my message here: Download Floods Or you can listen here: Download Flood Sermon

Wise Friends (Proverbs 13)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.  (Proverbs 13:20)

We are the company we keep, so the popular saying goes.  Our developing character is a product of our personality, the large and small decisions we make and the input we receive from friends, family and others.  I am blessed to have some very wise people who have walked with me; my parents first and foremost, Sue (who is full of common sense wisdom she readily shares) and mentors through different stages of life.  I have also been served wonderfully by wise companions I have never met but who nonetheless speak volumes into my life; authors ancient and modern.

Dallas Willard and Richard Foster have lead me into the life-transforming application of the spiritual disciplines.  John Wesley has challenged me to squeeze the most out of every day through his diary.  Tim Winton, Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O'Connor have poetically inspired me.  Theologians like Jurgen Moltmann and Stanley Hauerwas have stretched me.  Biblical scholars Walter Bruegemann, Ben Witherington and others have opened the expanse of scripture for me.  And the list goes on.

I have walked with these wise people and others and have been blessed as a result.  I have grown in wisdom in ways that I do not even yet recognise.  And I am inspired to walk further with them and with others as I read and study and reflect on the wonder of God and the world God has made.

 

Animal Care (Proverbs 12)

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.  (Proverbs 12:10)

I grew up around animals; Tammy the Australian Silky Terrier and Bert the cat were too beloved pets of my childhood.  After we married, Sue and I bought a dog before we had children (Ahndii the Corgi) and now we own (at great veterinary expense) Corker, the one-wonkyeyed-wonder dog.  Corker rules the house as he slumbers, snores and eats his way through life.  In short, we are pet people.

Over recent days as the flood crisis has emerged in south-east Queensland there have been many stories of people fleeing their homes with nothing but some hand carried valuables and their pets.  The RSPCA abandoned their main refuge and were assisted by dozens of volunteers.  At our best, there seems to be some innate and positive connection between people and animals.  This connection goes back to the Creation command to care for and steward all that God has made.  The Creation story includes the wonderful vignette of Adam naming all the animals as God parades them before him (Genesis 2:19-20).

This proverb reminds me that my life with God is lived in each moment and action of every day, including my interaction with animals.  It is our privilege and responsibility to care for creation, including its animal life.  Amongst other things, this has implications for the protection of endangered animals and their habitats.  Tragically and shamefully Australia has lost so much of our unique animal species to the ravages of unfettered land clearing and introduced pests.  We can and must do better.