Spend it!

I had calculated it out and the number came to approximately 6.57. That was the number of Starbucks tall skinny caramel macchiatos I could purchase with my brand-spanking-new gift card. I had just gotten it in the mail as a thank you from a friend and was beyond excited. I’ve been hooked on Starbucks macchiatos since January 2005 when my wonderful friend introduced me to them after staying up ridiculously late at a college ministry conference. There’s nothing like a macchiato on a sleepy morning…or on a coffee date with a friend…or when sitting and reading…or on a long road trip. Really, I’ve had a macchiato in my hand for many, many memories the last few years so my new gift card was a perfect thank you. After opening the card, I tucked it away in my little green bag and went about my work.

 

My day was filled with joy. Not only was it a good day in general, but I mean, come on, 6.57 caramel macchiatos just waiting for me! I began plotting the next morning’s activities (which happened to now include a stop at Starbucks) as I was driving home from work when I suddenly realized I had to get a car wash. I had prepaid for the wash a week before and the code was only good for a final few more hours. I pulled into the wash, flipped my car into neutral, and watched the large automated dish rags slap one after another on my windshield and car doors. As I slowly approached the end of the car wash I noticed a young man step out and grab a few towels to dry my car. I knew I hadn’t paid for the service, after all I usually select the cheapest car wash possible, so I wasn’t sure if this poor man was confused or if I chose the wrong code. As I pulled out into the daylight I saw a large “tip” jar standing at the end of the drive. Rummaging through my purse I was convinced I had a dollar or two somewhere at the bottom of the bag for the man, as any purse of mine tends to have everything but the kitchen sink in it. After a hurried, but thorough search there was not a dollar to be found. Reaching into the middle console of my car I knew I had a dollar somewhere in there…nope. Pepto Bismol? Yes. Sunflower seeds? Yes. Pepper Spray? Yes. A dollar? No!

 

As I rolled down my car window to tell the man that I didn’t have tip money I noticed his appearance. The man looked like he hadn’t showered or shaved or brushed his teeth for weeks. He stood squinting in the sun, his countenance telling the story of the hard life he had lived for his young age. Before I knew it and without a thought, I reached into my bag and grabbed my new, red Starbucks gift card and thrust it into his hands.

 

“Do you like Starbucks?” I asked. “This is a new gift card from Starbucks – you can have this.”

 

“Starbucks?” the man asked in a confused tone.

 

I began to explain to him that it was a coffee place where he could go and buy great coffee drinks, teas, or a little snack. I was honestly perplexed that this man hadn’t heard of Starbucks. I told him the various locations around town and asserted that the card was his now to use. He excitedly looked at the card and clutched it tightly with his hands, dirty and worn from work. I knew there was no way to get it back from the confused, but now happy man.

 

Driving away I rolled up my window and smiled a big, cheesy ear-to-ear grin rejoicing that I could give away my brand new Starbucks card… Um, no…I wish I could say that was my automatic reaction, but no… Not even close. Honestly, as soon as my window made it up to the top of the door frame I let out an “Aw, man!!!” All I could think about was how much I hoped he would use the whole card, every single cent of it. Everything in me really, really wanted him to go buy 6.57 caramel macchiatos or whatever he would like, yet I knew that the card might get lost, never used, or just barely tapped into. And it made me sad. I mean, I know I’m supposed to be joyful giver and all, but when you give something that you know has the potential for great things it makes it a little more challenging.

 

It was at that moment that the Lord began speaking to my heart. First of all reminding me to be a joyful giver and that everything I have is His anyway, but also that He gives gifts to his children all the time even when they don’t fully understand them or know where to use them.

 

“For the kingdom of heaven is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” (Matthew 25:14-18)

 

The story goes on to say that when the master came home and asked the servants what they did with their talents, the ones who had spent them all – risking loss but gaining more talents – were blessed by the master. The slaves who invested the five talents and the ones who invested two talents received a mighty blessing and were put in charge of more because they had been faithful with the little they were given.

 

I believe the Lord wants us to use up everything that we’ve been given. Like the Starbucks gift card I longed for the man just to spend, I believe the cry of the Lord’s heart is for us to use it all, to spend every single “cent” of what we’ve been given. I believe he’s calling the generations, both young and old, to not hold back but to rise up and use the things we’ve been given – our talents, abilities, spiritual giftings, and the power of God living inside of us! When we do so, we will begin to spread the love of God as we share what we already have inside.

 

So my challenge for you today is to ask the Lord what you need to start “spending.” Do you have a heart of praise? Begin to spend it on praising the Lord recklessly even if you’re all alone. Do you have a heart to see your city changed? Spend it praying for God to move in that city today. Do you have a heart for your children to be passionate about the Lord? Spend it praying for the Holy Spirit to move in their lives and asking the Lord for wisdom to know how to display the contagious love of Jesus. Do you have a heart to write? Spend it! Do you have heart for the poor? Spend it! Do you have a heart to pray for the sick? Spend it! Do you have a heart for the business world? Spend it.

 

Father God, teach us how to use what you’ve given us. Give us courage to rise up and “spend” every last cent and the knowledge to know how to best do so.