We have an offer!

Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

I’ve been pondering this passage since last night. Perhaps it’s an odd passage to reflect upon during our days of orientation prior to going to the field. But you need to know that we received an offer on our house yesterday afternoon! “Was it a good offer?” you ask. Any offer is a good offer at this point! It was substantially lower (85% of our asking price) but it was an offer nonetheless!! We are happy and thankful to have an offer to prayerfully consider.

We told our realtor we would like to sleep on it. We will most likely counter the offer this morning. Please pray for the Lord’s wisdom and favor.

But we’ve been asking ourselves, if the potential buyers don’t budge an inch, can we live with it? I think that’s why this Scripture in Hebrews has been speaking to me. It teaches us to look higher and ask a much different question: “If we had nothing else but the Lord Himself, would that be enough?”

Our tendency is to zero in on the warm, fuzzy part of Hebrews 13:5, “I will never desert you or forsake you.” It is certainly a promise that provides comfort and strength as we journey this sod. But the purpose of this promise, it seems to me, is to make the command to “be free from the love of money” and to “be content” so much easier and obvious to obey. It’s as if the Lord is saying to us, “If you have me, what else do you really need?” This is consistent with our Lord’s words, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Regardless of the outcome, we would ask that you pray that our character will be free from the love of money and that we will be content and generous with whatever He gives us. We don’t want “the cares of the world” and the “deceitfulness of wealth” to choke out our fruitfulness. Matthew 13:22

Thank you for lifting us up! Your prayers are not in vain! Since our last writing two weeks ago, orientation has not let up in its intensity. We’ve experienced moments of brokenness – coming to the end of ourselves. But it has been invaluable. The goal is to learn to live there – in a state of brokenness and humility, that is.

On the Potter's wheel...