Just Wondering

There was a pastor that once said that if we really wanted to know about our relationship with God, there were two places we could check. Before he took us to those two places, he asked how many thought that they had a strong relationship with God. A lot of hands went in the air. He asked a follow up question about whether or not we gave or served in light of or based upon that relationship. There were still a lot of hands in the air. It was now time to check out what we had said.

He first encouraged us to take out our checkbooks and examine the line items that we had written in the register. Take note of all the bills and groceries and gas that is purchased. Take note of all the times we had eaten out and done fun kinds of things. Take note of all the times that money was put away for savings or retirement or for a rainy day. And then take note of all the places there was an entry that put money back into the kingdom (donations to Compassion International, tithes and offerings to our churches, gifts to other nonprofits, gifts to missionaries, etc). He asked what percentage was saved, what percentage was spent on bills, what percentage on fun things or things for ourselves, and what percentage was given to the Kingdom/God.

Then he asked us to think about a normal week (he even said that we could take out our calendars or PDAs if that would be helpful for us). Look at all the time you spend at work, at home, with family, with friends, doing fun stuff, etc. Now look at all the time you spend with God or in service for God. Look at the time spent in church, on missions activities, doing other outreach, studying the scriptures, praying, discipling or being discipled, etc. What percentage of time is spent on work? On eating? On sleeping? On playing? With God or doing God's work?

After a moment, he asked us if our checkbooks and our calendars answered his original questions the same way that we had answered with our hands. You might not be surprised to know that there were a lot fewer hands at this point. His point was that we are a society of people that puts our money (and our time) where our mouths are. If something is truly important to us, we will invest our financial resources and time in those endeavors.

This is a lesson that has stuck with me. As my faith journey has progressed, I have seen correlating changes appear in both my checkbook and my calendar. I believe it to be true, at least for me, that the longer I am on this journey, the more of my time and resources go towards the kingdom.

Have you found this to be true? Is spiritual maturity tied to our schedules (think priorities) and our checkbooks? Why or why not?