By Consuelo (Chit) Munar

We begin the season of Lent today, Ash Wednesday, reminding all of us to be reconciled to God. For the next 40 days, Christians are urged to reinforce their traditional Lenten practices to do good quietly, to pray privately, and to fast with a sense of joy.

Most of us have bank accounts – could be full, half-full, half-empty, almost empty. Depending  on our financial resources, our personal economy  could be fulfilling, being able to purchase our goods wisely, being able to fill in our needs, being a productive member of society.

Our spiritual economy  or spiritual bank account is just as important. In order to be reconciled to God, we must have a personal relationship with Christ. By accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour,  we are adopted into the family of God and given access to a spiritual bank account.

Many of us, unfortunately, never open and read our Bible; spend little time in prayer; and seldom think of God between our Sunday visits to church. Though going to church on Sunday is a vital part of our close relationship with God, those one or two hours on Sunday are not enough of a deposit to keep up with the withdrawals the demands of the world make on your Spiritual bank account. A full account requires an active spiritual life, a disciplined practice of Bible study and a continual fellowship with Christ Jesus.

How do we make spiritual deposits to our spiritual bank accounts?

First, consider to establish a close personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Accept Christ as our personal Savior and we become adopted to the family of God and we’re given access to a spiritual bank account.

Secondly, choose to serve Him and allow Him to rule over your life. Full surrender to Him allows you “to be a light in a dark world.” St. Matthew declares in 5:13:16, “you’re the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hidden. Neither do men lit a candle and hid under a bushel, but on a candlestick. And it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light shine  before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” By choosing to serve God, you not only have access to your spiritual bank account, but authority to receive the deposits given to those who follow Christ and do His commandments.

Thirdly, maintain fellowship with Him. Jesus invites all of us, through His Words, to have fellowship with Him. He initiates His fellowship by knocking on our heart’s door.  Having fellowship with Christ means talking to Him in prayer and spending time in His  Word. All relationships require spending time and getting to know each other deeply. Relationship with Christ is no exception. Each time we pray, each time we study His Word, we make deposits to our spiritual bank account.

Finally, we must rely on God and realize that daily battle in life is not ours. It belongs to the Lord. In trusting in God, we make big deposits to our spiritual bank account. Through trials and temptations, the world continue to withdraw from your spiritual bank account. Have full control of the abundance and balance in your account. Always take full control of your spiritual bank account..