“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” – 2 Timothy 1:14
Our lives are enveloped by numbers. Sometimes more, it seems, than we can count. What are all these numbers?
Most involve money (of which the Bible speaks volumes). How much we have – or don’t have – often determines where we go, what we do, and whom we do it with.
Apparently, keeping track of numbers overwhelms many. Fully one third of Americans’ checking accounts – 120 million in total – are in the negative at some point during a given calendar year. Banks charged $30 billion in overdraft fees in 2020.
Businesses have even more numbers to track. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash flow, profit and loss … the list goes on. All figure into a “balance sheet,” which reflects the overall financial health of an organization.
Problem is, we aren’t born with the skills to know what all these numbers mean. We’re taught them in school, or learn on our own.
The business graveyard is littered with those who couldn’t decipher their balance sheets. Countless entrepreneurs learn its importance the hard way. For many, it’s too late.
Whether a simple personal checking account, or a complex business balance sheet, one principle holds true: To stay afloat, more must be coming in than going out.
So how’s your “spiritual balance sheet?” Or, amid all the myriad numbers of life, have you not thought about this?
A wondrous account that keeps giving
“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil – this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 5:19
Long, long ago, God made a spiritual deposit in us. His amazing gift protected us, and nurtured us, and helped us grow. Its number is unquantifiable – its value, priceless.
We draw on this spiritual account for energy and strength. At certain times, our withdrawals ramp up – such as facing a bad health diagnosis, or an issue with children, or a relative or close friend needing support during a crisis.
No matter how much we take out, this account never seems to go into deficit. We never get hit with overdraft penalties. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t replenish it, though.
In fact, we need to make regular deposits, both for the “health” of the account, and our own. We should give a portion of every day to God.
How do we make these “deposits?” By praying, fervently and honestly. Spending time in Scripture. Going to church. Enjoying fellowship with other Christians.
“Oh sure,” you say. “I can do that.” Except, many don’t. Good intentions only go so far. Their spiritual account runs low, or even in deficit.
No text or e-mail alerts appear. Yet, indicators of a well run dry manifest themselves: stress. Emptiness. Directionless. Anger. Bitterness.
Balance the account, balance the soul
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruits of all your produce.” – Proverbs 3:9
Know that God never leaves us. Know, also, that we owe God all the respect, honor and praise that we can give Him. Doing so keeps our spiritual account in balance … which allows us to live joyously and fulfilled. Isn’t that what we all seek?
The numbers in a checkbook, or on a business balance sheet, are right in front of us. They don’t lie. They can, unfortunately, distract and misdirect us. Maybe, even, overwhelm us.
Our spiritual account operates very differently. It’s a bubbling spring of love, and peace, and strength, and wonderment. Bring your glass, fill it full, and drink deeply. Just remember to put a little back in, and it will always be in balance.
(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Submit a prayer request for a pressing need in your life. Participate in a virtual prayer session to ask God to be with those who have submitted requests. Follow C Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)
