Building Project

Scripture is replete with military and battle metaphors. We are said to “wrestle” and “fight” and are told to put on “the whole armor” of God. Paul instructs Timothy to be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

During World War II, when fuel was precious, my mother worked for the fuel rationing board. Why was fuel rationed? Because every resource used for individual convenience was being diverted for the country's central concern, winning the war. In Canada they said "Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do and Do Without.” Here in the US signs simply asked “Is This Trip Necessary?” “Dig For Victory” and “Make Do And Mend” emphasized the need to do more while using less resources. As Christians, we are engaged in a great battle that also requires great resources (Ephesians 6:12). We too must realize that spending on our own private concerns leaves fewer resources for our kingdom's central concern.

Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs reflected this attitude when he wrote “Then again, we are not only travelers but soldiers: this is the condition in which we are here in this world, and therefore we ought to behave ourselves accordingly.”

Thus, as regards the Christian Life, the idea of a “wartime lifestyle,” is generally a more useful concept than “simple lifestyle.” Simple living may be self-centered and become an end in itself. Strategic, wartime living is kingdom-centered, a means to a greater end which is the advancement of the Gospel.

With this outlook an increase in income is not an opportunity to spend more but an opportunity to invest more in the cause. We should ask, “Does this really contribute to my purpose in being here on this earth? Is this an asset to me as a soldier of Christ, or is it a liability?”

We are about to begin the construction phase of our building project which will test our patience and commitment to the goal we have set before us. May we have a strategic outlook and be willing to sacrifice our convenience and resources for the good of the kingdom!