It Was Never Ours

Hi everyone! Welcome back to the blog. :) 

Oh how I have missed writing, so I am back! So settle in and let's get into what is on my heart this evening.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:19-21

We live in a culture of abundance, surrounded (and honestly suffocated) by material and superficial things. I feel like we find any excuse to buy new decorations, new clothes, go on a fancy trip, treat ourselves to a $10 coffee, the list of things goes on. It seems like we are quick to spend our money on ourselves, but are hesitant to spend our money on things that don’t directly help ourselves.

I am guilty of this. Greed is one of those sneaky sins that can creep into your life when you least expect it. When I first got a job out of college, I didn’t know how to handle having an income for the first time. The financial independence was intoxicating and exhilarating. I could go on trips, buy new clothes, and I didn’t have to ask or tell anyone. 

This financial independence was challenged when I got married. Suddenly, what’s mine is his and what’s his is mine. Jonathan had already established a tithing routine of the first 10% of everything he makes going back to the Lord. The thought of this honestly baffled me. I figured since I didn’t make a ton of money, that I wasn’t expected to give in such an intense way.

As Jonathan helped me navigate this hold I had on money and not wanting to let it go, I really felt like I was in spiritual warfare. As we continued to give each month to our local church and as I began to confess my struggles with money to the Lord and to my friends, I started to feel real peace and trust that the LORD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE.

Ever since we trusted the Lord in our move to Raleigh, He had and has provided again and again. Whether it is through finances, beautiful friendships, jobs that we love, a community of believers on fire for Jesus, God has truly had his hand over it all. It has been such an amazing year and a half and it wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t completely trust the Lord every step of the way.

So, it really is crazy to see how giving the first 10% of everything we make back to the Lord and not just the scraps left over after we pay for lodging, groceries, and what not can change your whole heart. God can see what you're idolizing before even you can.

It is just so evident that God’s hand is all over my story, and if he’s all over mine then there is no doubt in my mind that He is all over yours too. 

Even through raising money for our trip to Guatemala, it has been so encouraging and inspiring to see so many friends and family giving out of their abundance to help a cause that doesn’t affect them at all. We should all truly push ourselves to get outside of ourselves and see into the next life. There is something soooo much better than this after death. There isn’t going to be labubu’s or mansions or trips to Greece, but there will be everlasting peace and joy. There will be no more suffering and no more pain, no more death and no more sorrow. 

My challenge to you, is if you are not regularly tithing, I encourage you to start giving 10% to your local church. And if you don’t have a local church, this is my gentle nudge to you to go join a local church and get involved and meet some people who love Jesus just like you do. 

Confiding and trusting friends that can hold you accountable and encourage you is so powerful. We aren’t meant to do this life alone, so don’t try to. Lean on those around you and ask God to send a community into your life.

God truly listens to us and wants us to be with Him forever. All of Heaven rejoices each time someone is saved. How beautiful and important are you that ALL of HEAVEN rejoices when you accept Jesus into your heart. 

I love you all. I hope this encourages or pushes someone to give out of their abundance. God is so good!

XOXO,

Aves