We’re recently started a new series called “reset”.  In the first week, we talked about how Jesus makes it possible to reset all of life, giving us a fresh start in life that impacts every key area.  We’re going to look at many of these in depth, and this week we see how Jesus resets our use of money.

Have you ever dramatically changed your priorities around money?

Some examples would be at the birth of a child – people usually budget for fewer restaurant meals, and more diapers.  Suddenly RESPs and life insurance all become more important.

On news of a serious Illness, if one’s future earnings are suddenly in doubt, spending priorities change.  Or in a recession, when jobs are being lost, and investments are losing money.

On a nicer note, getting a new job can mean a new budget with less debt, and some important expenses finally covered.

There are many more examples, not always tragic, but following that usual pattern.  New priorities in life get reflected in how we spend our financial resources.

Sometimes we realize it should have been this way all along, and have our eyes opened.  We look back now at some financial choices in our past, and realize we were being short-sighted, lazy, cheap or any number of other missteps.

Sometimes we should have known better at the time, other times we couldn’t have known better, just lack of experience and wisdom.

Following Jesus is meant to be that kind of moment where you completely reassess, reset life, including finances.

Quote: Our chequebooks and appointment books say as much about our faith as our prayerbooks.

Question: What kind of life event would make you completely reassess your finances?

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - July 18, 2013

Thursday - Act On It - Originality

There is some teaching, especially when it's unoriginal and shallow, that you can take under advisement. You can simply say, "That’s interesting" and then move on with your life. We read stuff like this all the time. Magazine articles. Newspaper. Blogs. Facebook posts. Some people are very skilled at rehashing other people’s research in entertaining and interesting ways. I often read things that are of little value to me. They're just interesting, and not going to change my life. I hope the Sermon on the Mount we've been studying is not that way for you. We saw last week – hearing and living these words is like building upon a stone foundation for life. Hearing and ignoring these words is like building on a sand foundation that washes away. How you hear the Sermon on the Mount is like the difference between a wedding announcement and invitation. With a wedding announcement in the newspaper or on Facebook, you say, "Oh, look, they’re getting married, how nice". An invitation is quite different, since it has your name on it. It’s for you. We want you to come. The Kingdom of heaven is often described as a party, and it would be a party with the most original, profound teacher ever at its centre. The very source of truth, wisdom is the attraction. His way of life would now be the only reality. The kingdom he’s been describing, would be there in living colour. He’s issued that invitation to you. Come to my kingdom, my celebration, my party. And this is not just a future reality, somewhere else. It’s something we are called to start practicing now, really living it out, to be ready for the full production . Life on earth is meant to be a practice party, and you’re invited. We're establishing a new church, or Christian community, in Ajax – and it will be built on the model of a party with Jesus at the center. It will be like nothing you've ever experienced before. We're planning our first party for this fall. Challenge: We're running a poll right now, that you can find in our app or here on our web site: http://bit.ly/15B2yry Tell us what kind of party you could RSVP to!

From Series: Sermon on the Mount | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

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