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 - September 10, 2015

Thursday - Act On It - Structured Rest

I used to be really good at resting. I rock climbed, mountain biked, went running. I went to movies, read books, relaxed at home. Then I got a job! It became a lot harder when I was no longer a student. Add to that that pressures of family life - marriage and children - and it's even harder to rest at all, much less daily, weekly, yearly and beyond. So how do you carve that out and protect it? We asked Jerry, a friend of RTC and a business owner, how he does it. Be sure to catch his interview on video or audio. For Jerry, maintaining daily, weekly and less frequent rhythms of rest is a witness to others - they know when your store is closed, and it says something about the values of the family behind the business. It also teaches his family what's important to him and his wife. They are not just about money, there is much more to their life. Challenge: Find at least four other people in your line of work, and ask them how they handle their need for rest, leisure and restoration. Ask them how that looks on a weekly basis, and throughout the year. Then ask them to keep you accountable.

From Series: "Work and Rest"

Just in time for summer's blend of work and rest, Redeem the Commute is starting a new series of daily challenges to help busy people restore life to the commuting lifestyle. This seven week series will look at the meaning and purpose of work, rest, and ancient practices that have helped followers of Jesus to keep the two in perspective and balance for centuries.

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