Treasures Within Reach Part 4 – Who Are You?

Matthew 17:24-27 – “24 When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?” 25 Peter said, “Of course.” But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?” 26-27 He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”” (MSG)

Our action and response in any given situation is determined by our understanding of WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE HAVE. When we are CONSCIOUS of our SONSHIP in God through Christ, we will respond very differently to the challenges in life.

When Moses was called to lead the people of Israel, it didn’t sink into his mind that God is All-powerful and Almighty. When the disciples encountered storm as they travel to the other side of the lake, they forgot the past miracles they witnessed. When we run around like a headless chicken every time a crisis hits us, it reveals how much we know who we are in Christ. If we are in Christ, we are NOT HELPLESS and HOPELESS.

WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD

Matthew 17:25b-26 – “25…Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?” 26 He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the CHILDREN get off free, right?” (MSG) Page 1 of 5 We are the CHILDREN of the MOST HIGH GOD!

When we are under the care and protection of our Heavenly Father, none of us should be in desperate need. Members of the royalty do not go around borrowing, stealing, or asking for money. They are expected to lead in grace and champion charity campaigns and social concerns. How we carry on our affairs, how we behave, and how we live life all point to the One we represent.

There’s an old saying, “A bad dog shames its master.” If a dog begs for food from strangers or misbehaves, it reflects on its master. When we turn to others apart from our Provider to ask for things, we do not glorify our King. When we are aware of WHO WE ARE and WHO WE REPRESENT, we will give thought to our CONDUCT and BEHAVIOR to ensure that what we say or do will bring honor to our KING. Knowing our IDENTITY guides us to our OBJECTIVE. You will NOT get lost in the JOURNEY OF LIFE if you know who you are in Christ.

Our society has many well educated and talented people who are clueless about what they want to make of their lives. They drift from one job to another, from one course to another, from one relationship to another. Despite their education and talents, they are never good at finishing what they started. They are like plants whose roots are not planted in the  ground, floating through the river of life, and never taking root to grow. People who are rooted in their identity will grow tall and strong, knowing what to do and what not to do. They know their purpose in life. Everything they do contributes to that purpose until they reach their God-given destiny.

CHILDREN OF GOD DEPENDS ON THEIR FATHER

Matthew 17:24-26 – “24 When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?” 25 Peter said, “Of course.” But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?” 26 He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the CHILDREN GET OFF FREE, right?” (MSG)

When people know WHO THEY ARE, they do not bring their problems or needs to other people, they bring it before their FATHER. They look to their King, their Father, as the Provider and Protector.

On several occasions in the Bible, God has declared He would be our God and we would be His people. So, if the Lord is our God, we know Whom and Where to run to when we have needs. We don’t depend on men, organization or government. They can be used by God as channel of blessing but we don’t depend on them.

When we face a need or a problem, do we sit, look at the wall, or we do something about our problem? Peter created the mess, so Jesus sent him fishing. Jesus did not allow a problem to grow big; He immediately addressed and resolved it. When we are operating in fear, our FOCUS SHRINKS. Unfortunately, our focus zooms in on the wrong thing blocking us out of all possibilities. This is why it is extremely difficult to get out of the maze of problems when we meditate on our difficulties. Fear prevents us from thinking beyond solving our problem for good.

Jesus was not only interested in meeting our needs. God wants us to have more than enough. SURPLUS is what we often miss out when we have a SURVIVAL mentality. Many people want to become millionaire but they don’t want to overcome their fear and leave their comfort zone of receiving salary on the 15th and end of the month. Faith liberates us from the bondage of fear. Fearful people are PARALYZED by their own fear.

FEAR builds its foundation on the shifting sand of FACTS. FAITH builds its foundation on the rock of TRUTH.