"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,
discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had
something to boast about-but not before God. What does Scripture say? 'Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" (Romans 4:1-3,
NIV2)
Bankcards can be quite handy, especially when you are strolling through an
outdoor market in France, you find just the perfect gift, and then you realize
you don't have any more cash! No problem! Just go to the nearest bank and get
some!
But did you know that ATMS can all be linked to different networks? PLUS,
Cirrus, Maestro, etc., and a bankcard is only good at an ATM connected with your
bank's own network!
We found ourselves in exactly this situation while visiting the open air market
in Dinan, France. There were so many nice things, and the prices were so
reasonable that we quickly ran out of cash.
No problem! We had our bankcard, and there was a bank right there in the square!
The only problem was, when I inserted my bankcard in the ATM, I received the
message of doom: "Funds denied!" Though no explanation was given, the ATM was
clearly not connected with the PLUS network, the network associated with our
card.
But if we wished to continue to enjoy ourselves in the street market, we needed
that cash. We located a tourism bureau nearby, and they gave us a map indicating
the location of every bank in the area. Unfortunately, none of these carried the
PLUS logo on their ATMs either! We were in for many more messages of doom:
"Funds denied!"
We finally found a bank just outside the old city of Dinan that displayed the
PLUS sign at their ATM. Our persistence paid off. And it was a good thing,
because if we hadn't found that bank, we would have had but two choices: Abandon
the outdoor market; or hold out a hat while I serenaded the town. My wife
wouldn't have been very happy with me if I had taken the first choice, and I
might have received a few rotten tomatoes in the face if I had chosen the
second! Yup, my voice is that bad! Just ask my kids! So all in all, it was good
we found the bank!
This made me think . . . We too have a spiritual bankcard. It's also known as
"the Bible". The only problem is, we often tend to try to bank at the wrong
establishments. The "popular" establishment, the one that is well known among
the people, does not let us withdraw any spiritual funds! Its name? Works.
The problem with works is that we invest a lot of time, but we get nothing in
return. Why "works" isn't even insured by the key Financer in heaven!
Others bank at an institution called "indifference". They invest on the
assumption that the spiritual bank in heaven is generous enough, and whenever
needed, salvation funds will be forthcoming. But just like any bank, no funds,
no cash.
Abraham was right to bank on faith. After all, our spiritual bank is not based
on monetary funds, but on trusting our God with all of our hearts, souls and
minds. Our relationship with Him not only manifests an abundance of love towards
mankind, but assures us an abundance of funds available to us, ones that are
rightly named "righteousness".
We may be banking with the wrong bankcard. We better take some time and assure
ourselves that our spiritual funds are invested according to the Master
Financer. After all, He is the One who made salvation possible. "But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV2)
Banking anywhere else is insulting to the Master Financer. He is the One who
invested in us, and not the other way around!
"Funds denied!"
What will you do about it?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.