Five Things Money Can't Buy

[Cris]

Five Things Money Can't Buy



We all want a good reputation. We all want to be remembered well when we die. If you're like me, you want to leave behind a legacy that will be carried over to future generations. I realised a long time ago that the only legacy I can leave behind that has eternal value is my influence. Webster's dictionary describes influence as 'to affect and effect the thoughts and actions of others'. In a world that seems to have gone mad, with countless millions on an accumulation binge, obsessed with getting more and more, whilst the rest of the world is seething in abject poverty, I believe that God is mobilising a holy brand of totally committed followers who literally affect and effect every aspect of our world with the culture of Jesus.

If we really are going to change this planet that is our world, then we need to possess some things that money can't buy.

Character - The inward motivation to do what is right regardless of the cost. The assignments of God are never based on our ability or our gifts, but always depend on our character. As the reminders, the living representatives of God here on earth, wherever we go, whatever we say, in everything we do, we must become reflectors of the character of Jesus. Some of the things I love about Jesus are that He is always available, He is content and compassionate, He's diligent and enduring, faithful and forgiving. Jesus is also gentle and grateful, humble and honoring. He's joyful and meek, patient and persevering, sincere and self controlled. And He's tolerant, truthful and wise. If you want to know what your character is, it's the sum total of all your habits. Talent is a gift, but character is a choice and we must make choices for Christ-like character every moment of every day.

Conduct - Jesus has called us to be disciples, not 'church goers'. A disciple is someone who passionately follows in the footsteps of the master, imitating his every action. As radical followers of Jesus, we must conduct ourselves as the master did, with integrity - a strict adherence to moral and ethical principles, with soundness of moral character and honesty. There can be no 'grey' areas in our lives. Romans 12 tells us to take our everyday ordinary life, that's our eating, sleeping, going to work, walking around, interaction with people, leisure time - whatever we do, and place it before God as an offering. Then it goes on to say, "don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God and you'll be changed from the inside out!" Often we conduct ourselves in ways that do not imitate Jesus because we've become so well adjusted to our culture that we're actually no different than those who do not know him.

Conversation - Did you know that Jesus actually wants you to use your conversation for kingdom purpose? Proverbs 10:6-32 tells us to use our words skillfully to speak the truth in love and to proclaim justice. Our words should speak hope for a future and become a fountain of life to others. We should use our mouth to speak words of wisdom and save others from ruin. What we say has the power to feed and nourish others and we should always express what is right and nurture the right in the hearts of others. Proverbs tells us that He who guards his lips, guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Many are affected and effected by the power of the tongue!

Contributions - I ask myself, am I using my energy, my ability, and my resources to affect and effect the kingdom of God? I believe that the extravagance of God in our lives is going to produce an outpouring of generosity that will be used to advance God's kingdom here on earth as we literally saturate the planet with His great love. Contributions involve a lot more than just finances. In 2 Corinthians 9 we read that "God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done!" That means to make a contribution to affect and effect your community, your world!

Compassion - Compassion is NOT pity or guilt! Pity often leads to pride and causes me to say; "Thank God I'm not like that". But compassion causes me to invest whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others. It's an awareness of another's pain that activates my own sensitivities and stirs a heartfelt desire to help heal the hurt. Compassion always causes us to act. Compassion caused God to act - for God so loved the world that He gave. Compassion led Jesus to the cross. Until there is compassion in the church, there can be no mission for the church. Compassion is our most potent weapon in our stand against injustice. It causes us to love those who hate us. To do good to those who abuse us. To spread extravagant acts of kindness to those who are hurting and dying all around us. Compassion empowers us to take on the powers of darkness that have taken our world hostage by wielding spiritual weapons of love, prayer, faith, holiness, tenderness, kindness, goodness, patience and generosity. I have to ask myself, when was the last time that I got down on my knees and lifted my eyes towards God and asked him, "Oh God, break my heart with the things that break your heart. Give me a fresh baptism of compassion that will compel me to meet real need in my world but come wrapped in a package of love that is irresistible"?

What will you be remembered for when you die? What legacy will you leave for the next generation? Will it be your toys and your trinkets, or will it be the affect and effect that you had on the thoughts and actions of others? Will you be remembered as someone who motivated and inspired others to become all God had destined them to be through the beauty of your character, the integrity of your conduct, the grace of your conversation, the generosity of your contributions and the love behind your compassion?

© Marilyn Skinner. Printed with permission.