Spending

          I like to spend.  Spend, spend, spend!  My favorite store is Limited Too.  I love their clothes!  I also like Hallmark stores because I love to buy Webkinz and then register them online and play on the Webkinz website.  I just turned 9 years old and was given some money and giftcards and I couldn’t wait to spend them! Some might say that money burns a hole in my pocket!

          But the bible teaches us to be rich in eternity by using our time on earth now to invest in things that will last. Matthew chapter 6, verses 19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  

          Here are some ways I can store up treasures in heaven instead of treasures here on earth.  First, I can spend my money on what heaven directs.  God puts money in our hands so that we might be his servant in distributing it here on earth.  I bring pleasure to him when I spend the money he’s given me on his concerns.  For example, my family supports two children through Hope for < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">Haiti’s Children.  I keep a picture of one of the Haiti children, Erica, in my purse to help me remember to give to people in need.  Erica is 8 years old, close to my age.  Her entire family lives in one room! The bible directs that we take care of the poor.  Deuteronomy 15, verses 7-8 says, “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard hearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.  Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.”

          Second, I should spend my spiritual gifts on Heaven’s concerns.  For example, I can use the spiritual gift of mercy to take meals to someone who just had a baby or someone who is sick.  I can use my gift of creativity to help decorate for Vacation Bible School. I just recently used my gift of being outgoing to introduce myself to a new visitor, Sarah, and make friends with her so that she would enjoy coming to our church.

          Third, I can spend my time and energy with heaven’s perspective and resist the urge to fritter away my valuable time and strength. Instead, I can invest it now on things that will last through eternity.   I can do this by investing in people: family, friends in need, and fellowship time. Some ways I do this is to attend Bible class, church activities, inviting friends to church and church activities, reading my bible, and participating in Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes events such as Bible Bowl, Puppets, Scrapbook, Art, and Speech! I read my church newsletter to learn about opportunities to spend my time and energy wisely.

          The theme of this convention is First Corinthians Chapter 16, verse 13, “Be on Guard and stand firm in the faith.”  As I grow into a pre-teen and a teenager, I will need to be on guard and stand firm in the faith to spend my money, spiritual gifts, time and energy on things that will last.  My stylish clothes from Limited Too and collection of Webkinz will not last, but spending my money, time, and spiritual gifts for the Lord will last for eternity.  I can still love to spend, spend, spend! As long as I remember to spend with heaven’s perspective.

          The end.