Emergence

As you have seen if you've been around the site a while, we love receiving guest submissions from Emergence attenders. Many of these people are at the core of what God has done and is doing--and their writings are simply responses to that. One of these folks who help Emergence be what God has made it is Jerry Ruud. He and his family have been attending Emergence for a long while now. And, even though he is a Dallas Cowboys fan, we are thrilled to welcome him into our guest blogger ranks. Enjoy.

After reflecting on Ryan's message this past Sunday, I really had to ask myself, "Do I love money?".  I don't think of myself as loving money.  After all, there are many people who have a lot more money than I do, people in my field that make a lot more money than I do, people with more stuff, nicer stuff...but do I love money?  
 
New Jersey - especially Northern New Jersey - is an expensive place to live.  Property Taxes are high.  State Income Taxes are high.  It costs a lot to heat and cool our homes or apartments.  Food and services are not cheap.  I need to make a lot of money just to get back to PAR.  I don't love money but I need money and a fair amount of it just to survive....but do I love money?
 
At a previous church there was a stewardship meeting which the leader commented "people will give where there heart is, where their passions lie".  He went on to say that if the church (or mission) was meeting a "heart need" generally these get funded.  When your heart is touched it is easy to allow your wallet to follow.  So where is my heart?  Where is YOUR passion?
 
The easy thing for me to do is SAY is what I'd like to hear, "I don't love money".  While I need money to survive and take care of my family, LOVE is a strong word.  However, if I had to survey people who didn't know me and had them look at my life via a movie clip, what would they say about my life?  What would they say about YOUR life?
 
My self evaluation about "do I love money?" needs to occur more frequently than when I hear a good sermon.  It is a struggle that I need to repent daily about and make sure that $$$ does not become a false prophet that I am giving into or worse leading my greatest mission field - my family - towards.  
 
Am I fully and wholly content with food, clothing and JESUS?  Unfortunately, not today.  While I love JESUS, I still struggle with the material things that the world offers.  However, my desire is to continue to walk with HIM and allow HIM to change my life.  For those who fight this daily fight...you are not alone.  I know of at least one person in this boat.....me.