“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” ~ John 15:5-6
Having been in Israel on many occasions, I am always amazed at how the Israelis have caused the desert to bloom. They have brought the Negev desert to life – mile after mile filled with farms of various sorts producing fruit and edible delights such as olives. They have pioneered technology to develop thriving plant life and water technology that causes the desert to flourish and the economy to prosper.
The key to sustenance is ensuring there is a flow of life from a continuous source. Jesus referred to Himself as the ‘vine’ and described His disciples and followers as being branches. In John 15: 5 Jesus extends an invitation to all to abide in Him to draw strength, nourishment and so much more that He only could offer.
I recall my first encounter with the vineyards of California, seeing row upon row filled with grapes being prepared for market, dried for raisins or harvested for the production of wine. However, once the crop had been harvested, the vinedressers would ruthlessly prune back the branches. The bare essence of the former vine was left to rest over the winter season only to see it spring to life with the onset of warmer temperatures.
With amazement, I watched in a short few weeks the new branches take shape and flourish. This discovery was such a wonderful depiction of Jesus’s invitation to each of us and His work in our lives. The process of abiding in Him allows us to draw strength and sustenance resulting in the production of fruit in our lives.
This productivity also applies to the stewarding of our finances. When we abide in Him, He releases His life flow through us causing us to discover who He is and His heart towards us. Knowledge and wisdom are an outflow of abiding in Him. His Spirit then leads and guides us, revealing the heart and good will of the Father.
Our abiding in Him gives us understanding and wisdom as to how we manage our finances. Not only for guidance on budgets and spending decisions to seeing provision, but to also produce wealth, seeing it multiplied and maximized for Kingdom purposes - all with the intent of bringing Him glory, seeing the advancement of the Kingdom and laying up treasures in heaven for eternity.
Abiding in Him has never had more significance then in turbulent and uncertain times. Drawing strength and rest, wisdom and knowledge and discerning of the way forward in our finances and in all areas of our lives, is critical to navigating the days ahead and to finishing well on this side of heaven.
Jesus invites each of us into a deeper place of abiding by asking Him to lead us on our financial discipleship journey.
notmine.ca is part of the family of ministries of Financial Discipleship Canada