As we think about our freedom in the coming days, we have to ask the questions: Free for what purpose? What are we using our freedom to build, encourage, promote, and call people to? God has placed us in a country where we can pray openly, give generously, and go to our neighbor without fear of retribution from our government or other groups. But do we? 

 

 

Do we give as those who are free to give to whoever, whenever we want without the bounds of government control of our money? Blessed with more resources than any country on earth backed by God who owns the cattle on 1,000 hills? Do we give as though we believe in the King, the Prince, and the mission, or do we use "financial stewardship” as a cover for fear and self-appeasement to get what we want for temporary pleasure?

 

Do we go as those free to travel wherever we want, sharing Christ, serving the needy, and resourcing others not harassed by a government bent on the destruction of opposing ideas, but as people not only set free by Christ, but free to go? Do we use our freedom to travel to hard places in need, or only to travel to nice places for ourselves?

 

What is the purpose of our freedom? I’m convinced that one day when we stand before God and give account, we will have to answer for how we used the freedom God blessed us with that most people can only dream of. Was the main thrust of our freedom to promote things of temporal value: self, success, hobbies, travel, etc.? Or did we use our freedom to encourage, promote, and call people to Christ? 

 

Have we used our freedom to build empires of dirt, or have we used our freedom to invest in eternity?