The Problem With Having More Than One Bank Account

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also..” — Matthew 6:19-21

We have several bank accounts.  One is for our personal business, one is for the ministry, and another is a temporary account we set up in Texas while we are here serving on mission.  We use each account depending upon what the source of the money we receive is or what the expense is.  As Christians, that is much the same way that we live our lives.  We have two bank accounts, a spiritual account and a carnal account.  Oh “carnal” is such a harsh word isn’t it?  Maybe I should have used something softer.  Something that suggests that what’s been deposited in that account is not all bad.  And that may be true by the world’s definition of good and bad, but not God’s.  (Sorry, had a “squirrel” moment!)   Back on point …. Our new life in Christ is transformational, “the old is gone, the new has come” and it demands that we always deposit to and draw from our spiritual bank account for everything.  But we don’t do that do we?  Instead we live the best we can and if we have to, we will rummage through a desk drawer to find our spiritual “checkbook” to write a check.  If this analogy or parable is too obtuse, let me be plain.

From observation and personal experience, I have come to inescapable conclusion that most of us trust in our flesh and our culture more than God.  We believe that we can live two lives.  Our natural one and our spiritual one.  Our natural one for most things and our spiritual one for special occasions.  In fact … that is heretical (wrong) thinking.  In truth is, we are supposed to crucify our sinful old nature and live fully by our new, spiritual nature.  (Galatians 2:20) The reason, I believe, that we have this problem is that we are not disciplined in our pursuit of a deep relationship with the Father. We don’t spend much time each day focused on the spiritual.  One of my favorite verses is (Joshua 1:8-9) “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In computer programming we would call that an “if-then” statement.  If you do this .. then this will happen.  For most of us .. “IF” … is a big word for only having two letters!  And that is where most of us fail.  If you don’t do the “if” then you won’t experience the “then”. It’s up to each one of us.  I can only encourage you … and you can only encourage others.  Actually “only” is a poor choice of words because we are admonished to encourage each other.  (Hebrews 3:12-13) “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Maybe it’s time to close one of your accounts for good … you only need one after all … your new one..  Might I suggest you consider another “if-then”.

“(IF you) Delight yourself also in the Lord, And (THEN) He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

By pursuing my relationship with God, He changes what my heart wants and brings it into alignment with His heart. His passion becomes my passion.  His passion becomes your passion – but only “IF”.

Now – where did I put that checkbook!!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone