Traveler's Log

Kyle Thompson

February 24, 2012

Today's Passage: Mark 12

Hey! I am Kyle Thompson, husband to Lucina for 30 years. We continue the adjustment of fully releasing our kids (now young adults) in this next stage of life. I am thankful for the hard/painful years of marriage that led to a sweetness only Christ and His transformation could produce.

Our son, Jordan, graduated from TCU in 2011 and lives in California. Our daughter, Audrey, will graduate in May from Texas A&M and work as a petroleum engineer for a Dallas-based oil and gas company. We are excited about adding a son-in-law in June!!

Key Verse:

A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (Mark 12:42-44)

Central Truth:

Full devotion to Christ is reflected in how I view and steward the resources God entrusts to me.

RADICAL GENEROSITY

WOW! What an amazing expression of love for God and confidence in the ways He will meet all of her needs. I have often thought about the widow in this story, and how, if I had been there, I might have "cautioned" her not to be so reckless in giving away all she had. This just further exposes my struggle with placing security in my financial backup plans rather than in God and His plans for what He entrusts to me.

Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it." I often live in a way that reflects a mindset that I own all that God entrusts to me, but I will share some with Him.

Two of my favorite passages are in Matthew 6. Matthew 6:19-21 remind me that how I handle God's resources reflects where my heart is with Him. I lived many years with the view that, as long as I tithed, I was free to use "my" money how I wanted. Scripture makes it clear that God is Lord over all, not just some percentage based on the Old Testament, and I am accountable to Him for how I steward all of His resources. Matthew 6:25-34 reminds me that God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, how much more will He care for me!

As Lucina and I have grown in our understanding of God's purposes with money (see also 2 Corinthians 8:12-15), He has allowed us to experience the joy and fulfillment He intended. Releasing resources has been a great source of growth and deepened our intimacy with Christ and each other as we have moved forward in action with the help of our community. We see a need for continued growth in this area as we daily remind ourselves of where our security and abundant life are truly found.

Discussion Questions:

1. How are you operating like God owns everything that He has entrusted to you?

2. Reflect on Matthew 6:19-21 and Matthew 6:25-34 today and ask God to show you where your heart and security are.

3. How are you inviting others you are walking with in community to help expose mindsets that are inconsistent with God's Word?

4. Commit today to walk through the MoneyWise curriculum with others to help you grow in this area. If you live outside Dallas or attend a different church, find a good course or curriculum about biblical stewardship and read The Treasure Principle. See link: http://www.watermark.org/ministries/care/moneywise-ministry/.

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MARK 8-12 (FEBRUARY 20-24)

Read Mark 10:35-45.

* What did James and John ask Jesus to do?
* What was Jesus' response?
* What did Jesus say most people "in power" do to those under them?
* How did He say they should respond to others?
* Did Jesus ask them to do something He had never done?

* Is there anywhere in your life that you are a leader?
* What about a place you want to be a leader?
* How does Jesus say you should respond?

Activity: Give everyone a piece of paper. Write down two different things you are going to do this week to serve others. Don't share them with each other. Put them in your room in a safe place. At the end of the week, talk about what you did to serve others and how they responded. How did it feel to obey Jesus' call and example to serve others?

Comments

Brett Johnston

February 23, 2012 08:31:21 AM

KLT way to bring. I know no one who does a better job at living this than you. You greatly have encouraged and grown Sheri and me in this area. Glad to be in it with you.

Robert McFarlane

February 24, 2012 06:20:08 AM

Appreciate your encouragement and the reminder that it is all His.

Kelly Batt

February 24, 2012 06:23:33 AM

Kyle, how wonderful to see you this morning! You continue to be such an example of Christ's desire for each of us. I never cease to be encouraged by you and Lucina. Much love to you all!

Barry

February 24, 2012 07:56:26 AM

Encouraging words this morning and totally consistent with the encouragement we've received by observing your heart and actions over the years. Thank you and Lucina for all of the ways you encourage the Wmk community to live radical lives of full devotion to Him. We love being on this journey with you.

Paul Rutherford

February 24, 2012 08:10:05 AM

Thank you, mr. Thompson. Questions two and three were particularly helpful as I prayed them to God this morning. Thank you!

Todd Wagner

February 24, 2012 08:39:25 AM

Loved being with you this morning friend with this word on your lips and heart.. May the Lord continue to grow us all in this area as well as use us to grow each other. I am humbled and thankful for how you lead us all already and I am praying your best days of leadership and my/our best days of encouraging you as we lead/steward are still to come. Pressing on with you.

Julie Hildebrand

February 24, 2012 09:18:57 AM

Wonderful word this morning, Kyle. I especially was "encouraged" by your statement, "as long as I tithed, I was free to use "my" money how I wanted". I too have been a "checked box" thinker concerning my money and my time -- if I gave some to the Lord, the rest was mine to do with as I saw fit. Not so. Not so with my money, my time, my thoughts, my kids, or anything else the Lord has given me. All His, all for His glory. Thanks for your words this morning!

Lucina

February 24, 2012 09:21:30 AM

I loved seeing your handsome face this morning. As your wife, no one can testify better how well you live this passage out. I see it everyday and thank you for leading me to give radically. It's exhilarating to let our resources go to bigger and better (in God's economy) things. I can't wait to see what giving opportunities God brings across our path this year...and may we be found faithful to let it go when he does!

Sheri

February 24, 2012 09:35:59 AM

I agree with Brett- you " brought it" by not only teaching us through God's Word, and not your own ideas, but also in how you and Lucina live this out daily. Thanks Kyle!!

Brandon Avance

February 24, 2012 09:44:26 AM

Good word and great questions. "Full devotion is reflected in how I steward resources." What a call and a challenge today.

Sue Bohlin

February 24, 2012 10:12:09 AM

Hey there, beloved Burundi buddy! ::big smile:: How cool of the Lord to assign you this passage of the widow with the big heart, when that is an area where Jesus has transformed you! Thank you for leading us with generosity and integrity. I love seeing the joy and, well, FUN on the faces of people who get to give away chunks of God's money! I was struck by this chapter's bookends of two very different kinds of fear. Mark tells us twice, at the end of chapter 11 and the beginning of chapter 12, that the religious leaders were beset by fear of the people. The poor widow, on the other hand, clearly had a holy fear of the Lord. Fear of man restricts and chokes off life, but fear of the Lord expands and earns His approval and affirmation. In fact, this morning I added to my ongoing list of "things that please the Lord" the widow's generosity and trust in Yahweh. I can just imagine Jesus sitting there across from the giving trumpets where people dropped in their offerings, watching this dear lady give all she had, His heart swelling with love as His face breaks out in a warm smile. May we all make Jesus smile as we trust Him with HIS finances!

David Leventhal

February 24, 2012 10:26:47 AM

Kyle - thanks for your words this morning. I wholeheartedly agree with my friends who have commented before me that what makes your devo so powerful is the consistency in your life in this area. You and Lucina have been a tremendous encouragement to Missy and me (& to many, many others) as you guys have led out in this area. Thanking the Lord for you and your leadership in our body.

Leonard

February 24, 2012 10:39:27 AM

Thanking God for you - for your consistant example of stewardship! Thanks for pointing us to truth today!

Jordan

February 24, 2012 10:44:48 AM

I can't wait to bring the MoneyWise curriculum to my community. What a great reminder to chech how I stewart the resources that God has entrusted to me. So thankful for the ways you have modeled this well-I am excited to be challenged and thrilled to grow

Jim

February 24, 2012 11:27:31 AM

Kyle, Thanking God for your example of servant leadership to Watermark and to the body of Christ. May all of us on The Journey be like this widow woman as we follow Jesus. Jim

Mary C

February 24, 2012 02:30:01 PM

I don't live in Tex., cannot do the Moneywise. Married almost 40 years, here's my situation: we were very traditional by choice, I was a stay home mom. Didn't haveknowledge of any money mgt plans, thought my businessman husband had it all under control. About a decade ago, I was shocked t discover no college $$ saved for our 4 kids. Also, other financial problems. Thrutheyears we supported FCA, Young Life, etc, and i was always quick to say, can we help or can we sponsor a child, etc..So this revelation was like a bad dream....My great sadness and the "who have I been living with" thoughts began to marinate my heart. It's been a process, the swirl of emotions and stress...sort of peaked about 5 years ago when it hit me: I've lost respect. Thru it all, no poor behavior, I pray daily to show him love, kindness and acceptance, and for the HS to fill my heart. Fear is very palatable to me. I don't want to live with this, but my culture tells me I've no great marketable skills, only a bachelors degree. Husband won't go to counseling. Can you give me a thought process to put in place, or...something. Thank you

Eric C

February 25, 2012 01:56:27 AM

Thanks for the great (and convicting) reminder Kyle, and most importantly, your selfless service to the body of Christ.

Susan Coy

February 25, 2012 09:13:38 AM

Kyle, as many others have commented....you live out radical generosity and have been a great example for others to do the same. Grateful for your life, leadership and example....all are a blessing to me :)

kyle t.

February 27, 2012 07:23:29 AM

thank you for your question Mary C. I am sorry for your discouragement in midst of circumstances. Know that God loves you and walks thru all our situations that are fearful to us. I John 4:15-21 is a passage that reminds me that God loves and cares for me in midst of all I am experiencing. In reference to the situation with you and your husband I would encourage you to follow God's guidance in Matthew 18:15-16 as you help your husband and bring others in that you are in relationship with to help you both. The Moneywise material is available for you to use wherever you reside by clicking the link and downloading. I would encourage you to print it out and walk thru this material with 2 or 3 other couples you are in relationship with in your church. Praying now for you Mary. Warm Regards, kyle t

Mary C

February 28, 2012 12:46:00 AM

I'm so grateful for a response. After sharing what I've never shared I soon felt shame which I know is not from God, so I uninvited Satan to my brain. I've never even thought of that before. Just sharing my story has helped me breathe deeper. Thank you for your helpful and gracious response and your time. Thank you for praying for me.