Tried With Fire

It is incredibly sad how sin, the world, and Satan have degraded marriage from God's original intention. What was intended as a lifelong covenant is now, more often than not, a temporary arrangement for self gratification rather than displaying God's glory in covenant keeping. When it ends, the main issues revolve around material possessions and money. In fact, the dissolution of the marriage can be faster than the equitable distribution of stuff and mammon. This evening, after my daughter came home, my husband stayed to get some of the things that were his part of the "division of marital property". Highly awkward to say the least. I wasn't bothered by losing the things that he took. He is more than welcome to them. I don't want them or care about what he took. However, I am grieved that this is all it comes down to for him and the courts. Money and stuff. But we are not those who live without hope. Marriages will fail on earth but the spiritual real...

Pastor Ryan's sermon was entitled The Family Treasury on Matt 6:19-24. From my notes: What does my family treasure? Is my security in the Gospel or in money and possession? Regardless of whether we are poor or rich too often we find our identity in our possessions. Too often we are quick to sell our Savior for 30 pieces of silver. What ever controls your heart will ultimately control where your affections lie. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is not a best case scenario but Jesus is drawing a line in the sand. If you are Mine, your heart will be Mine. How much of our family's labor is for things? What does what we do with our money say about our lives? Do we show love for our family by the stuff we give them? If we're finding our identity in the master of materialism, we cannot serve Christ. Are we, am I despising Christ by my service to money? Are we, am I despising Christ by serving my stuf...