And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 2 Cor. 8:1-5

From The Treasure Principle

The streets of Cairo were hot and dusty as we made our way down an alley to a plot of overgrown grass. It was a graveyard for American missionaries. Our guide pointed to a sun-scorched tombstone that read: "William Borden, 1887-1913." Borden, a Yale graduate and heir to great wealth, rejected a life of ease in order to bring the gospel to Muslims.

The New American Standard Bible translates Romans 13:8 as follows: "Owe nothing to anyone." This would appear to prohibit debt. The New International Version reads, "Let no debt remain outstanding." This translation would allow debt, but insists it be paid off as soon as possible.

You may or may not be a list-maker. It doesn't really matter. Because whether you are or you aren't, we all live by a list. We all do what's most important to us-our ones, twos, and threes. The tens, twelves, and fifteens rarely make an actual appearance.

Jesus told a story about three men, each presented with an allotment of money to handle in the way they thought best. Two of the men took their share, invested it wisely, and earned a 100% return. But the third man, afraid to risk any loss, buried his money in the ground. Rather than feeling free to be creative with what God had given, rather than enjoying a relationship with his master that gave him room to try and fail, he was always looking over his shoulder, motivated less by success and more by avoiding punishment. He thought of his boss as a “hard man” (Matthew 25:24), itching to crush anyone who crossed him. You never knew what might set him off.