My wife, Jenny, has certain shows she absolutely loves to watch. And now that we got rid of our satellite service and are just doing streaming and what we get from our external antenna, she can watch these things whenever she likes. Most often it's after a long day of running around, working, getting stuff around the house done, etc. So when I get home, these shows like Survivor or The Amazing Race are on - and, honestly I get sucked into the drama that is on the screen.

But I KNOW that I drive Jenny crazy, because I haven't been tracking the progress of the show like she has. And I'll either come into the room in the middle of an episode - or even start watching an episode, but like 4 episodes into the season - and I will ask, "So what's going on? What's happening? Who is he? Why did she say that?"

And I'm sure Jenny is thinking, "Just watch and you'll figure it out!"

But it would be helpful if she clued me in a bit, right? That way I can know what's going on and can track much better. What's going on? THAT'S how I want to begin today's message, because Exodus is the second book of the Bible. And we're smack dab in the middle of a story, it seems, as we begin our reading. It would be super helpful if we knew what happened in Book 1 (Genesis), where we see the beginning of the story…and not just ONE beginning, but three.

There’s a story of a man who worked with Mother Teresa for a period of time. Every night he would go out with the Sisters of Mercy into the streets of Calcutta and pick up men and women who were on death’s door. They would then take these individuals to a hospice home called Kalighat, where these people who were actively dying would be cared for in their last days. A friend of a friend had gone out there to serve personally and said it was a HARD ministry to be involved with...

So anyway this man who was helping Mother Teresa, after spending a week at this hospice house said to her, “I wouldn’t do what you do for a million dollars!” And Mother Teresa said, “I wouldn’t either.”

Say what you will about Mother Teresa, she was certainly someone who came to understand that giving of one's talents and time and effort and giftedness couldn't be measure in terms of earthly treasure. What they found to be true about the Treasure Principle is that these principles we have looked at go beyond our financial lives.

This week, I want us to look at what the Bible says about what we do with our time and our talents.

You may have observed in the time you have known me that I don't have a great sense of balance. Therefore when I navigate through uneven terrain, I must be very careful. Balance is one of those things that is necessary when you have to go through rough terrain.

Today is going to be about finding balance. And whether you are talking about whole body balance, or whether you are talking about balancing, let's say, this, science has demonstrated to us that there are a few laws that govern balance. And what's REALLY cool is that if you can get your mind around the laws of physical balance, it's going to be easier to think about the other areas of your life that God has called you into balance.

Ultimately when we live in God's holiness we live in balance in a number of ways: our appetites, our relationships, our emotions, our work life, and since we've been on the subject, you can add our finances. And here's what I've observed in my lifetime: though the number is starting to grow, there are very few people out there who actually live a balanced life when it comes to their personal finances.

So today – I’m going to ask this question: What is the overall objective when it comes to money? What am I trying to do? What is the one thing I am trying to accomplish with my money?

Now that question has a variety of answers for a variety of people.

There have been times, I must admit, and I would imagine so must you, when poor planning has brought about some serious problems in my life. And there have been times when I could have sworn that I DID plan things — it was just a lousy plan. I didn't take things into account; I didn't foresee real issues that could possibly (and often DID) pop up.

It's good to plan, for sure. If you are engaged in an important endeavor, it is good to think through the things that could happen that might be obstacles or challenges along the way. But here's the deal: you can plan and plan and even think of potential pitfalls and come up with contingencies, and there will still be times when things go awry - things totally out of your control, and things that frankly, you never thought of.

So how does GOD want His people to plan? I've unfortunately been a part of teams where it ended up that WE thought something was a good plan and then WE asked GOD to come alongside us and, essentially, bless this mess (as it turned out). Many believers live their lives like that: God, these are my plans; I'd like to invite you into my plans. When, as it turns out, God is asking us, His people, to find out HIS plans, and to find ways that we can fit into those plans, rather than vice versa.

This is what the next part of James' letter is all about: not presuming what the future will hold, and what plans you will accomplish, but to humbly ask God to guide and direct you where HE wants you to be, doing what HE has assigned and empowered you to do for HIS glory and HIS plans.

This last week in our Staff Meeting, I said some things out loud. And they weren't horribly critical. I think that they were just funny observations (at least in MY mind). And the staff basically told me how awkward it was to hear them. I told them that's what popped into my mind. And that's when Ethan said, they pop into our minds, too, Trey - but those tend to be INTERNAL conversations with us! 🙂

That was funny. But then it got me thinking, in light of this week's message: how often do we let things slip out of our mouths with no filter at all; things that SHOULD have stayed as INTERNAL conversations that flow out of our mouths. Now again, mine weren't critical at all… having fun with people's names, as I recall. BUT I have to admit that there have been times when what comes out of my mouth IS critical. And like Thumper's mom, I would do well to listen to the advice: If you can't say something nice…don't say anything at all. Especially if I'm not saying things in a helpful way.

Sometimes the things that come out of my mouth have been downright judgmental. And THIS is exactly where we find ourselves in our study in the book of James: slander and unrighteous judgment. And it shouldn't be surprising. Again, James is writing to those who had been a part of his congregation, people in the First Century Church in Jerusalem. And the times they were facing were getting tough. But these were REAL PEOPLE who were learning how to "do life together" in Jesus - people who in many instances came from completely different backgrounds, with the only thing they had in common (often) WAS their faith.