The president has signed the Economic Stimulus Package into law, trying to get the economy back on track. One of the arguing causes against this kind of fix was the staggering cost. It would be equivalent spending $1 Million dollars a day for the next three hundred years. Now that’s some serious cost, but hey, we won’t be around in 300 years, right? So, if it doesn’t affect me now, it’s no big deal… I don’t think so. 

We’ve started a new teaching series at Desert Cross, “Living the Life – Leaving a Legacy”, living for God intentionally to have an impacting faith that will be others centered. It is a call to live having a mindset for those who will follow in our footsteps. Jesus said we are to love God with all our being and then translate that into a living love for our neighbor. We’ve heard this before, so we know we should live to draw others to Jesus, but do we?

Have you noticed the J. G. Wentworth TV ad that has everyone saying “It’s my money, and I need it now”. The premise is if you have been hurt and are on a structured settlement, but can’t pay your bills, then because it’s your money, you need it now to make ends meet. This is a powerful commentary on the self centered nature of Americans these days – it’s all about me – it’s my money and I need it now! On the surface this may seem reasonable, but the undercurrent goes against the idea of God being our source, our sustenance and our supply. This kind of thinking has no place in the heart of the believer because it is diametrically opposed to loving God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself. When believers focus more on themselves, then the church suffers. It suffers not only in the area of giving, but in power. When we love ourselves more than God, the church becomes just a social club that meets my needs, rather than the dynamic unstoppable force to change this world for God.

If we let the self centered culture of today influence us, we won’t live to influence anyone for the future, but only to please ourselves. As believers we are called by God to more than ourselves and our wants. We are called to a generous faith that is others centered. We are called to live today looking over our shoulder to see the future for those who are coming behind us. Steve Green said it this way, “May all come behind us find us faithful.” Everything we do today has an affect on those who follow us. 

So, how are you living today, for the influence it will have for tomorrow?