The Widow's Might

Mark12:41-44

Jesus watches rich and poor present offerings to God. The rich were very generous. Their incomes and offerings were large. Poor people gave, too, but their contributions were not noticed. Everyone brought an offering as was expected.

The giving was public. They were pouring money into containers called “trumpets.” The coins made a constant clanging noise as they were cast into the containers. The clanking was an immediate reward for the giver; more coins made it louder. The clanking served as both a celebration of generosity and a reminder of responsibility.

There was a community expectation of support for God's work. The public giving created an atmosphere of accountability. The people lined up in a stewardship parade waiting their turn to give their offering.

A poor widow drops two of the smallest coins; their faint click is drowned out by the heavy clanking of more substantial coins made by the rich. She seems unnoticed but Jesus is so impressed that he says her offerings are more important that those made by men of wealth and prestige.

Jesus was impressed because she denied herself. She had two mites to give and could have kept one for herself. If she had only one coin then the decision would have been simple but she had two coins and the choice was greater. She gave both.

She surrendered all and trusted God for the care of her life. She knew that if she was to be assured of God’s care, she had to give all. Jesus said, “...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

Whether we are rich, poor or somewhere in between, Jesus looks at the size of our sacrifice more than the size of our gift.

Honoring God with our Best

Proverbs 3:5-10

When we give God the First Fruits of our labors he will reward us abundantly both spiritually and physically. The Bible challenges us saying, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

A sacrificial first fruit offering demonstrates obedience to God. "Trust in the LORD" (v. 5), says the Bible. One of the principles of a first fruit offering is trust in the promise of a future harvest. The first fruit were just a taste of what lay in store at the end of the full in-gathering of the harvest. A first fruit offering represents a prayer to God for the future harvest.

It, also, tests our faith in God promise to bless our giving. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)

A sacrificial first fruit offering demonstrates our commitment to God. The passage continues: "in all thy ways acknowledge him"(v. 6). Giving your First Fruits means you are acknowledging God’s ownership of all you have. We sow seed and water but God provides the harvest. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. (James 1:17)

Money is like a magnet. It pulls our hearts towards wherever we put it. When I give money to God it pulls me closer to Him. The Bible says, "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops" (v. 9)

God deserves the best part of our lives! God is honored by no less than our very best. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

In Malachi God chastised the people for giving inferior gifts. “ When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 1:8)

God is NOT an afterthought…

• God desires our best when it comes to our worship.
• God desires our best when it comes to our service.
• God desires our best when it comes to our giving.

God deserves our First Fruits.

No One Can Serve Two Masters

Guest blog by Jonathan and Marina Clark

Jonathan:

We have been praying about how God might use us and our resources to be a part of His work here at Baptist Temple. We do not give to Baptist Temple, these buildings, not to lights or salaries but to God who gave us everything we have. Through study we have come to know that every stitch of clothing and every possession we have was always God’s, they do not belong to us.

The scripture says,

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Our debts represent another master in our life and they frustrate the desire to give to God because ultimately they represent our own selfish desires in that they hinder us. Our ability to give is hindered by other masters.

When we married we had to combine our households and we ended up with an abundance of stuff that we would not let go. Consequently, our stuff has become another master.

Despite our mismanagement God continues to provide for all of our family’s needs. So we are recognizing that God is the one who has made it possible for us to give above and beyond our current tithes and offerings.

Marina:

This year, when we returned to school we were told that we would not only receive a raise they had originally considered but also 2% beyond that. During the same time our church began the Capital Campaign and challenged us to seek prayerfully the amount God was calling us to give over and beyond our tithe. While Jonathan and I were praying and discussing an amount we realized that I had not received a raise by chance. My raise happened just as the scripture says “for such a time as this” so we decided that the minimum amount we would give over the next 3 years was the amount of my increase that I received as a raise.

A portion of some unexpected return of moneys has provided us a way to make a first fruits offering as well.

God is helping us to sell off, throw away, and cast out the excessive possessions we have hung on to so long. Jesus said that, to whom much has been given much is required. He is already revealing ways that we could use these hindrances for His glory. Our marriage is being strengthened because He is creating a like mindedness about giving and providing freedom from oppressive masters as a result.

We challenge you to pray and see what God has blessed you with this year because He never gives without purpose.

Gift Giving is One of My Love Languages

Linda loads groceries for food pantry.

Guest blog by Linda Grinnell

I learned about tithing and giving as a child, and gift-giving is one of my love languages – how I express love. I love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, mind, soul and might, so tithing or giving offerings and sacrificial gifts to God are not difficult for me.

Steve and I have been a part of Baptist Temple for almost 33 years. When we moved here from College Station, we felt this was where God wanted us. This is the church family with whom God would have us worship, study His Word, grow, and do ministry. We believe in what God is doing here and are committed to helping to make sure the Gospel continues to be preached and that people’s physical and spiritual needs are met. We wholeheartedly support the Heartstrong for CHRIST! campaign. Having celebrated BT’s centennial a couple of years ago, and learning about the diverse ways God has used this church to share His love in the past, we are excited about what God is doing here now and His plans for future ministry here. We must make sure the buildings and parking lots are maintained and repaired so that God can continue doing ministry in this location.

In 2003 Steve and I purchased a second house down the street from our home. We first rented it to our daughter, and later to our son. After our last renter moved out we began demolition of a bathroom and the kitchen with the plan to remodel the house, move into it, and then sell or rent the house in which we currently reside. Our plan for the “second house” – the one we decide to sell or rent, was going to be the source of money we would use to buy a new car and put the rest of the money in a retirement account.
 
Steve and I have been praying and discussing and praying some more about how we can give sacrificially in such a way that God will be pleased. We don’t make a lot of money – we are not rich monetarily – but during these past few years, when many people have lost homes to foreclosure, I have marveled at the way God has provided us with the resources to pay two mortgages and pay down (almost pay off completely) our credit card debt along with staying current on all the other bills – you know – groceries, utilities, etc. I believe God has provided and protected this investment, the second house, for the purpose of this campaign. We are not sure exactly how this is going to work out, but we have pledged what we believe to be an amount that we would have spent on a new car. This is a huge step of faith for both of us, but I am excitedly anticipating that Steve and I will experience multiple miracles to make this happen.

With regard to the First Fruits Offering – my first thoughts went to the account given in Exodus of a time when God instructed Moses on how to build a tabernacle (Exodus 35 and 36). I always thought it was so cool that people brought their jewelry (as well as other items) as an offering to the Lord for his Sanctuary. I don’t have a lot of gold, but I do have silver and turquoise jewelry that I would be honored to give as an offering to my God. As some of you know I’ve been showing my paintings and drawings this past year. I offered to God that if He will bring buyers for my art, I will give the money to Him for this campaign. Steve has sold a go-cart and will be selling a motorcycle as a part of our first fruits offering, and we have other items we are planning to sell. We are both so excited about God’s future plans for Baptist Temple!

God revealed Himself to me at a very early age, and as I grew, I learned about tithing and giving by watching my parents. I am grateful for God’s provision and protection throughout my life, and I am grateful for this opportunity to show that I am Heartstrong for Christ! by giving sacrificially to this stewardship enrichment campaign.

Generation to Generation

Guest blog by Devra Thomas

In many ways, Baptist Temple is my second home. My mom first brought my brothers and I to Baptist Temple when I was seven.

As a child and a young adult I remember always being involved. I remember attending Sunday School, Sunday evening worship and activities, Wednesday services, children’s choir and youth choir, performing musicals and at choir festivals, caroling at nursing homes, children’s camp, youth camp, Pre-Easter retreats, mission trip, lock-ins, Vacation Bible School, Fall Festivals and much, much more. Just about every weekend was filled with something to do at church. I guess you could say our church was alive very much the way it still is today and the way we need to ensure that it continues to be for generations to come.

So many people that helped teach me are still here today. This is the kind of dedication that really touches my heart. This is the kind of dedication I hope to show not only my children and grandchildren but, also, to your children and grandchildren. This is the dedication that I hope my children and grandchildren will show their children and grandchildren and so on and so on. But how are they to know if they only hear us talk about being committed to Christ? We need to be God’s people of action and not just words. SHOW God’s love and not just tell about it. In II Corinthians, Paul said that we prove our love for Him by our giving. How can we say we love Christ if we are not giving to meet the needs of His church? Because this building is HIS.

As someone who works quite a bit with our children, I see the hope that we instill in them and, through sharing God’s love, we fuel their desire to want to be more like Him. Our children are really motivated in learning to have hearts for Christ and in that same way, we should also be Heartstrong for CHRIST! Haggai 1:8 says “Go to the mountains, bring wood & rebuild the temple that I may be pleased with it & be glorified.”

I’ve heard several stories from other parents, and have a few of my own, where our kids have reminded us of what God says and what God wants from us. Our children get really excited about wanting to please God and SO SHOULD WE. We need to get excited about what the future holds for this building....Excited

I am still praying about what God would ultimately have me give and about things I don’t necessarily need and can do without. But, within my means, and the same holds true for you, no matter whether my amount matches up to be smaller or greater than yours, if we put God first and we are true to Him, He will put all of our amounts together to serve his purpose here.

Called to Sacrifice

Guest blog Elizabeth Trujillo

Long ago, the Holy Spirit called us to attention and said, “I plead with you fellow members that you present yourselves as living sacrifices which is your spiritual service.” (Romans 12:12) What does that mean though, to sacrifice for the Lord? As Christians we are to put God first in our lives and he will bless us immensely. Following the Lord does include sacrificing for him. When we discuss sacrifice, the thought turns to monetary sacrifice. However, sacrifice can be of one’s time, talent, and treasures. I am one who understands sacrifice deeply. As a single mother, I have sacrificed for my daughter every day. I began to realize that I did not always sacrifice for Jesus.

This realization brought me to the verse: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that by His poverty you might become rich” (II Corinthians 8:9). This “aha” moment brought me to my knees, knowing that my greatest fear is the inability to provide for my little family and that I needed to trust God with that fear. I handed it over to him and began to sacrifice my time and talent working in the nursery. I began to share my treasures according to his will. In this time of great giving the sacrifice in which we all make must be one that is worthy of that which our Savior made for us. Nothing could ever be written, spoken, or imagined to fully demonstrate how great the price Jesus paid for our redemption.

Sacrificing for Jesus should be something worthy of our Lord. With David we must say: “God forbid that I should offer to Him that which is not a sacrifice.” (Samuel 24:24) Only the complete surrender and sacrificial giving of self and substance will suffice. Once such sacrifice is made, the Lord will provide justly. Each of us must be prayerful about our sacrifices during this time of giving, growing, and gathering.

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

My God is a Mountain Mover

Guest blog by Melissa Baxter

For the past few months, I’ve been involved in two very different, but very huge events in my life. My husband was diagnosed with a form of cancer that, had it been caught much earlier, would not have been life-changing. It wasn’t, and he has now lost most of one ear in addition to the hearing out of that ear. At the same time, I’ve been involved in the Stewardship Enrichment Campaign, Heartstrong for CHRIST, as the Alumni Committee chair.

Both of these have caused me to slow down and to review my life priorities. As I pondered the week 2 devotionals, I was hit in the face with the fact that I had not given God all the keys to my life. I shared with the ladies in my Bible study about that key, and how I had determined to hand that key over to God. It is both scary and exciting to give up that key, but I know that God will provide for all my needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus, just as he promised. As a testimony to this verse found in Philippians 4:19, on the same day as I had given up that key, God provided in abundance for our family through his loving and obedient servants.

My mother was raised at Baptist Temple but moved away. When circumstances brought her back to San Antonio, we moved in with our grandmother who lived in the shadow of the church.

The Clothing Ministry served our family the way our thrift shop serves so many today.

Baptist Temple's food pantry was there when we needed help with food. Today, we feed over two hundred families a month.

When mom needed help with school supplies, members of the church helped out. A tradition that continues today.

There are many other ways that I have been helped by the ministry and programs of Baptist Temple. Today, I am asking you to continue the work that those before us have started.

While we have not determined the amount of our sacrifice, I know that God will lay that amount on our hearts. When my husband is healed from his cancer, I will be able to return to the workforce and increase my sacrifice to this most worthy cause so that the ministries of Baptist Temple will continue into the next century.

Baptist Temple's Walls Echo with the Sound of Ministry

Guest Blog by Kay Richardson

Listen! Can you hear the voices? Children singing, playing, learning, basketballs bouncing. Teachers teaching...in our charter school, daycare, Sunday school... Teenagers and adults singing, hammering, sawing, mowing, feeding, clothing, learning, ministering... We are alive and working hard to serve God on this corner of Drexel and Gevers.

I've been a member of Baptist Temple almost all my life. I grew up here. I was a child when the construction for our gym building began. I was a young married adult when this beautiful sanctuary was remodeled.

My dad was chairman of the building committee when the gym and connecting building was built. The committee chose the verse in Psalm 127:1, “ Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the laborers is in vain”. 

At one point a prominent member of the church came to my dad and told him, “If you build a gym this church will go down the drain!” 

I'm thankful my dad and his committee listened to the voice of God! He and his committee listened when the architect encouraged them to make the walls non-load bearing to allow flexibility in the years to come and that has proved helpful just this past year! My dad served on many committees that ensured these buildings would be strong and useful for ministry for many years to come.

So I learned at an early age that these big buildings come with the responsibility of taking care of them...of always looking not just to the present but to the future. These are important buildings but never more important than what happens within them.

Baptist Temple is a facility that God uses for ministry and service and I believe God wants us to make sure this facility is in good repair so that our ministry can continue. I support the Heartstrong for CHRIST Campaign because it takes money to do God's business and we continue to strive to do His business here at Baptist Temple!

It's like being small pieces of a puzzle...one small piece added to another small piece, added to another small piece will enable us to complete the picture! It will take all of us. 2 Corinthians 8:2 says “though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their abundance of joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving generously.” 

Some can give just a little, some can give a little more, and some will be able to give big amounts. We'll put our money together and our finished product with help us to complete an even bigger task!

When I first heard that we were headed into a capital funds campaign, I began to pray. Then Sammy and I began to talk and pray. Sammy, my mom, and I began to read the devotionals that guided our thoughts and prayers each day helping to prepare our hearts for what God wants us to do. 2 Corinthians 8:8 says, “This is one way to prove that your love is real, that it goes beyond mere words.”

Sam and I have been better off financially in years past than we are right now so with past campaigns we “upped” our giving but it wasn't as much a sacrifice as this one may be for us. Tithing is almost thoughtless for us....it has always been just a given...it's what we should do. Giving above our tithe requires thought, planning, and prayer.

God has not given us a final number yet. He has brought a percentage to mind and he has brought to mind things we can do without so that we can give a little more. Sammy and I will continue to pray and ask God to lay on our hearts what He would have us give.

In the spring of 2009, Baptist Singing Men of Texas sang here in this room. The words to one of the songs were, “I'll follow you down any road at any cost.” One of the men shared a story of a woman who wanted so deeply to give an offering. She said, “I've given all I have. I can't give anymore.” and then she wept. The question God asked me that night and continues to ask me is “When have you wept like that? When have you given like that?”

Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” 

God began a good work in this church over 100 years ago and He will continue to be with us as we allow Him to work through us to complete His purpose through our sacrificial giving.

How Strong is Your Heart?

I was once served with three lawsuits for a total of over half a million dollars over a car accident that wasn't my fault. It was my final year of seminary. After years of financial sacrifice it seemed that the light at the end of the tunnel was an oncoming train.

I cried out to God in despair. He reminded me that it is He who provides for my needs. I was almost 30 and had been on my own since I was 17. I'd always had food, clothes, a car and a place to live.

I realized that I developed a belief in my own power to take care of myself. I was not only being served a lawsuit but, also, a reminder that all I am and all I have belong to God. The lawsuits went away and I grew stronger in my faith.

As I have encountered financial blessings and financial hardship, I have been able to praise God from whom all blessings flow; in all circumstances. He has given me the courage to walk by faith; walking step by step into the future knowing that God goes before me.

When I was called to Baptist Temple I saw the potential, not the need. I saw the opportunity, not the obstacles. God has always provided and He always will.

As we move into this capital campaign I realize that this is not about how much money is needed. It is an exercise of faith. The theme Heartstrong for CHRIST! resonates in my soul. How strong is my heart? How strong is my faith?

God has given me this opportunity to partner with Him in this effort to maintain the ministry of Baptist Temple and extend it into the future. I am excited about it. I am convinced that God will prevail because He is greater than all our calamities.

I ask that you join me in prayer. Ask God to reveal His will to us as individuals and as a church.

We want to be Heartstrong for CHRIST

Guest Blog by Clinton Shull

Janet and I haven’t been members of Baptist Temple for very long but we saw God working through His people in Baptist Temple. The members' involvement in ministry and outreach to the community are some of the things that God used to draw us to Baptist Temple.

We believe that God uses His people to support the local church, people like Janet and I, and people like you.

We want to be Heartstrong for CHRIST. As God continues to bless Janet and I; we make a commitment to give above our tithe to support what God started here at Baptist Temple. We do this in order that Baptist Temple can continue to minister to its members and to the community into the future or until Christ comes for His church.

Down through the ages God’s people have always had to make the decision for commitment to Him. God will raise up individuals to support His work, Janet and I want to be part of that group of individuals that God raises up to meet the challenges of the future. We have made the decision to get on board; to step out by faith.

We are excited to see God work in our lives and are grateful to be counted worthy to participate in this endeavor. Put God to the test and watch Him accomplish in you far above anything you can imagine.

God bless Baptist Temple, you and those in our community.

Lifestyle Changes and Sacrificial Giving

Guest blog by John Richey,
pastor of Family Deaf Church

In the time of Solomon, the Temple was a sign of God living with his people. At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon said: 

 

May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us. May He turn our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations He gave our fathers. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that He may uphold the cause of His servant and the cause of His people (Israel) according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands, as at this time. (1 Kings 8:57-61)

Baptist Temple is also a sign of God being with His people and active in our lives. Led by Him, you share His love and blessings with the surrounding neighborhood, through the thrift store, food pantry and other ministries. A little over a year ago, God opened doors and brought Baptist Temple and Family Deaf Church (FDC) together. Because of what you have done for FDC, we have experienced a revival, growing in number and Spirit. Now He is asking us to do even more, to repair our temple so that we can open new doors and go into the world, so that the world can see His light shining in us, through new exciting ministries.

My wife Mary Ann and I have been praying and continue to pray about what God wants from us. In addition to our service with FDC, we feel in our hearts to be a larger part of what Baptist Temple is doing. We have decided that when we sell our motor home, we will give the money to support the Heartstrong for CHRIST! campaign. Additionally, God is leading me to dedicate more of my life to serving Him. First, many of you are familiar with the Catholic Church tradition of giving up something for Lent. I feel called to give up Diet Cokes and donate the several dollars a day for more than 1000 days to this campaign. This serves as another daily reminder to focus on Jesus and to seek His will. Second, at a recent religious seminar, God opened a door for me to rejoin Wayland Baptist University. I have accepted a temporary, part time teaching position with them and will be donating those funds to Baptist Temple.

While these may seem trivial to some of you, for me they are lifestyle changes leading to increased, sacrificial giving of my time, talents and treasures in obedience to what Christ has put in my heart through the Holy Spirit. I will pray as Jonah prayed: “But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9)

Connecting the past to the present and the future

Easter is a time when the old, old story of Jesus' life, sacrificial death and resurrection is retold and connected to both our current, victorious life and our future hope. It is, therefore, appropriate that the past, present and future were all brought together on Easter Sunday at Baptist Temple.

The service began with the baptism of Ernest, a young man who attended Baptist Temple as a child. He, along with siblings and cousins, would be picked up each Sunday by the church bus ministry. He would attend Sunday school and worship where, he would not only hear the gospel but, also, see it lived out in the actions of the men and women who showed these children so much love.

Ernest had strayed from the faith but, when the Holy Spirit began to speak to his heart, he returned to the place to where he had heard the Word of God. Ernest came to faith because a few years ago faithful Christians maintained and drove the vans, taught the children, gave the needed finances and, most importantly, loved the Lord.

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

The result is that on Easter Sunday we baptized a member of the millennial generation who is now a co-laborer in fields that “are white unto the harvest” (John 4:35). The work of the past bore fruit in the present and shows promise for the future.

Towards the end of our worship another act underscored the theme. A special offering was presented from the estate of a beloved saint whose work and giving for the sake of the gospel was part of the reason that our church was able to teach young Ernest the gospel and baptize him when the seed took root.

This generous gift from Nel's estate will go towards building an endowment that will help to ensure that Baptist Temple will continue to be a light in this community where Ernest's children and grandchildren will hear the Word of life. Nel supported her church when she was alive and her gift ensures that she will continue to do so now that she is in the presence of our Lord. She was part of Baptist Temple's past and present and will be a part of the future.

Many Christians' commitment to the gospel is so strong that they have left a gift for their church in their wills. They have ensured that their generosity will extend past their natural life. They not only believe in the gospel but, also, that their church will continue to bring that gospel to future generations.

Furthermore, they know that others before them had sacrificed so that could hear the gospel. Their planned gift is a way to honor those past sacrifices. Remember your church in your will.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Heavenly Investments

When we give, the blessings we receive outweigh our original investment. Jesus put it this way: “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

When Debbie Fields (Mrs. Fields Cookies) opened her first store she was anxious to get her first customer. Her impatience led her to step outside with a tray of fresh-baked cookies and start giving away samples. Many people decided to buy the cookies they sampled. Debbie discovered that giving and receiving are often connected.

The Apostle Paul was impressed with the sacrificial giving of the Philippians. They gave from their poverty not from their abundance. He wrote to them, “Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)

I guess if you can’t take it with you, you can send it on ahead. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

Charitable giving is not only tax deductible but also, according to the Bible, a heavenly investment. James L. Kraft, founder of Kraft Foods, gave 25% of his fortune to Christian causes for many years. He said, “The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money that I have given to the Lord.”

Are you investing enough to get a healthy return? A wealthy but stingy woman died and went to heaven. She was told that she would be taken to the house, which had been prepared for her. She passed by many beautiful mansions but her house was small and rundown. She complained and protested, but she was told, “I’m sorry, but this is all we could do for you with the materials you sent up.”

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (I Timothy 6:18-19)