Kingdom Influence

What is influence? More specificly, what is Kingdom influence? In the Gospels we read that as Jesus' fame spread, multitudes were "moved" by His gracious words and His wonder-filled deeds. Is this Kingdom Influence, crowds or fame?

And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Luke 13:20,21

It's just like Jesus to take a common chore and teach profound truth, like making bread. It's also like Him to take a social norm and redeem it, like say "leaven". Leaven was used in the Old Covenant as a type of sin (What wasn't used as a sin illustrator in the Old Covenant?) The idea was that leaven, a type of yeast introduced into a grain type of dough, would soon "puff up" twice its size. The point would be: This is what sin will do to you, so avoid sin at all costs!

In this parable Jesus redeems and updates the image of leaven. In the process He taught us something about influence - Kingdom Influence. Consider this:

• God takes sinful - unhealthy people, He removes their sin and He makes them whole.
• He takes this same group of people and He fills them with purpose and destiny. He reintroduces them to the places and stations in life where He found them.
• They are plumbers, politicians, single moms , etc changed by a "touch" from the King. They now represent Jesus and His values, for His Kingdom is within their hearts.
• These precious people, sinful - yet cleansed, healed and changed are placed alongside others needing their "leaven". They are not there to tell a story so much as to live a life.
• As this army of ordinary yet profoundly new people, live out their lives, the world is transformed. Little by little, like "planting a seed" and watching it grow, it takes time!

So, Kingdom Influence is about more than winning elections or winning in the arena of public discourse, its about "Culture". The culture of any people group or organiziation is created primarily by leadership. Jesus wasn't looking for a crowd, approval, or verification when He taught, healed or loved - He was establishing His Kingdom's Culture. Transforming a city is one thing, but upgrading the "culture" with a new social norm - that's Influence. Kingdom Influence!

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Invested in the Kingdom

I have this re-occuring thought - "Do I want to be only 10% invested in the Kingdom of God?"Over the years I have practiced and taught the Biblical principle of tithing. Naturally there are many objections to systematic giving; some understandable, many are based in fear. Some people resort to arguments based solely on their understanding and/or mis-understandings of Old Testament practices. Today, most of the people that I love and serve are very generous supporters of local and global Kingdom projects. I ask the Lord to bless everyone of them, and yet neither tithing nor generosity is the basis for my post.

My post, this re-occuring thought, is an honest spiritual quest. The basis of this thought is: In uncertain economic times, such as the ones we are facing in the much of the world, do I really want to invest 90% of my assets in this economy. It would seem that the only certain thing disciples can do is convert their earnings into "Kingdom Economy". Consider this quote from Jesus:

... “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

Jesus has clearly stated that there are two economies, and we can invest in either. One economy is sourced in this world, and is bound by the market and global forces of the natural order. The other economy is based on a spiritual realm (the Kingdom of God) and is governed by the values and forces of the heavenly system. If my "thought" is correct here are some implications:

• The value of money in the earthly natural system is determined by common agreement. Common agreement may change with the whims of the people in that system. For example a dollar is worth a dollar because we agree that its a dollar. Yet there is no gold standard for that dollar, just agreement. Agreements can and may change.
• The value of the Kingdom is not based on money but worth. Jesus shows us clearly what He values and what He honors. (See the Sermon on the Mount - Matt. 5-7) In the Kingdom, Jesus' value system never changes. For example people, love, humility, and honor are always valued in the Kingdom and that value will never change.
• We can never take value or wealth from the Kingdom of God, because it is based on the unimaginable glory, honor, and wealth of Jesus Christ's gift to humanity - Himself!
• We can "shelter" money from this world system by investing it in the Kingdom of God. Unrighteous filthy dollars can be exchanged (or rather invested) into the Kingdom of God by placing it into the hands of those who are advancing the Kingdom in any faithful capacity. Dollars earned in America can purchase life saving medicines for people ministering among the peoples of Kenya for example. That money now has yielded Kingdom advancement and has been added to your heavenly rewards account. This hidden reward will one day be declared in Heaven!

This leads me back to my initial "thought", Do I want to be only invested 10% in the Kingdom of God? In this economy? I don't think so, what do you think?

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