GOD SEES HOW WE LIVE AND HOW WE GIVE

November 27, 2014

GOD SEES HOW WE LIVE AND HOW WE GIVE

Revelation 18:20–24

Sally Michael

Central Truth

John is reminding us that, as followers of Christ, we are not to be citizens of this Babylon, storing up treasures on earth. This chapter should challenge us to evaluate our financial goals and get rid of selfish and arrogant living.

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,
"So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
and will be found no more."
(Revelation 18:21)

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven,
and you saints and apostles and prophets,
for God has given judgment for you against her!”

21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,

“So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
    and will be found no more;
22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
    will be heard in you no more,
and a craftsman of any craft
    will be found in you no more,
and the sound of the mill
    will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp
    will shine in you no more,
and the voice of bridegroom and bride
    will be heard in you no more,
for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
    and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
    and of all who have been slain on earth.”

This angelic act of throwing a millstone into the sea is symbolic of Babylon's fate. Many things vanished with the destruction of Babylon: music, labor, light, pearls, fine linen, wine, precious stones, spice, etc. (see verses 11-14).

As believers, we are called to live in the midst of our culture today, but we are "not of the world" (John 17:15-16). Babylon represents a city of lavish lifestyles, corruption, greed, luxurious living, and the selling of goods and fine things. Sound familiar? We are called to have an eternal perspective and not be personally attached to the luxuries of this world.

I am reminded of how God is a Father of amazing gifts. He wants us to have good things, but our hearts are selfish, greedy, and always wanting more. I work for a luxury apparel company for men. I am hoping many of you reading this today are in your J.Hilburn on your way to work! This passage serves as a great reminder to me that, even though luxury apparel is my work, I have to constantly check my heart and remember how fleeting the things of this world are.

Possession of wealth is not the problem so much as the arrogant use and mindset that we have. As Christians, we need to make sure that we are not citizens of this Babylon, laying up for ourselves treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-24).

Sometimes, I am very attached to my stuff. A good friend and spiritual mentor told me that if I am too attached to some of my stuff, then it is holding me back in my walk with Christ. She recommended that I take a look at what those things are and give them away. The freedom I experienced from giving them away was HUGE!

I realized that being caught up in this world kept me from having an eternal perspective. So don't tell me that I have cute earrings on at church, or they might have to show up on your porch! God cares about my choices. God sees how I live and how I give.

1. How do you view the luxuries of this world?

2. Is your heart set on acquiring more and more of this world for yourself, or do you have your eyes fixed on Christ?

3. Would it break your heart if the things of this world that you cherish and expect went up in smoke?

4. Do you need to give something away today?