For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

 Proverbs 13:22, 22:7; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 8:12-13; and 1 Timothy 5:8

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 2 Corinthians 8:12-15

I continue a pause of my study of Numbers to focus on text that will be discussed Friday morning with my men's small group.  The text today is focused on the second of two sets of five texts that will be used to derive Godly wisdom for a personal situation faced by one of my brothers in Christ. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do learn from the text about God?: God seeks for us to care for and provide for our families - yet we should be careful about wrongly interpreting Proverbs 13:22.  Most importantly is that we pass on to our children a love of God (see also this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com).  We should also be careful about how we use money as an instrument to exercise selfish or evil intent against those to whom we lend money (Proverbs 22:7) - we are to be good stewards of our financial resources and use them for His will.  The broader text surrounding Romans 12:18 is less about financial dealings then it is about how we generally interact with others, including our brothers and sisters in Christ, those who persecute us, and the lowly. 2 Corinthians 8:12-13 does concern how we give financially to others but it's important to also read surrounding text including vv14-15 where fairness is emphasized and corresponding text in Exodus 16:18 where some view this that we should trust God in how He provides and not concerns ourselves with gathering too much for ourselves.  1 Timothy 5:8 does instruct us about righteous behavior about providing for our family, and a reading of the surrounding text focuses on how we are to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ within the church - particularly widows.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Money is a difficult matter for nearly everyone so there is much scripture from which we can draw....the challenge is for us to rightly view this scripture and prayer for wisdom is key. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God is clear that we are not to use our financial resources selfishly nor for evil intent.  We are not to worry about finances as we should claim the promise that God provides.  Follow the example of Paul who was content regardless of need - Philippians 4:11-12.  Trust God and be a good steward of what He provides in our care. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of how You love, save, provide, etc.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.   Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:41-44.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv43-44):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "Jesus Knows Why We Give." 
• "With piercing divine insight Jesus saw both the gift and the heart, both the act and the motive behind the act. He knew those who gave only because others were watching, and He knew those who would have given if no one was watching. And then He once again turns the value system of the world on its head."  
• We are exhorted to give sacrificially as we pointed to William Kelly's commentary that shares: 'The test of liberality is not what is given, but what is left.' 
• The commentary then encourages us to study more deeply on what scripture says about God's purpose for money, sharing six purposes: "God wants to grow us spiritually by growing our faith (Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19). God wants to finance His earthly ministry through us for His glory and our good (Malachi 3:10). God wants to unite Christians who have needs with those who have surplus (2 Corinthians 8:14-15). God wants to reveal clearly His infinite power (Deuteronomy 8:18). God wants to help give direction in our lives (Proverbs 3:5-6). God wants to fulfill His promise to supply our needs (Matt 6:31-33; Philippians 4:19)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who provides for all of my needs - most importantly my spiritual needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:10-12. 

Excerpts from the commentary for the following two divisions and for the conclusion to the commentary's chapter covering Malachi 3:6-12:

• God’s Challenge for Israel to Test His Immeasurable Generosity (Malachi 3:10-11): The text includes "the only time in the Bible where God actually permits one to test Him in the area of finances....The temple’s storehouse was made up of numerous rooms that contained grain, oil, and various other supplies for the well being of the priests. It was the requirement of God that the people give money and supplies for the preservation of the Levites. God, who knows intimately the hearts of men, anticipated His people saying, “We can’t give ten percent.” So God said, 'Test Me.' They thought, 'We can’t afford to give.' God corrects them, 'No, you can’t afford not to give. Test Me.'...God appears to be saying, 'No matter what happens to you, when you are financially faithful to Me, I will provide for you. I will protect you.'"  
  
• God’s Blessing upon Israel Will Result in a Good Reputation among the Nations (Malachi 3:12):  God promises to make Israel (and His people) a great nation.
  
• Conclusion: Two lessons: (1) "if we obey the mandates of God in humble and faithful service, we can expect reward. This does not mean that reward is immediate, or even that we will ever receive it on this side of heaven. But we are guaranteed to experience God’s blessing, either here or in the coming kingdom"; (2) "what defines us is not what we have or what we think we have earned. Rather, it is what we do with the resources God has provided....God is always faithful to His covenant, even when the people are not. Israel would fail again, but in Christ we see the One who gave generously of Himself, even unto death, out of obedience to His Father. And in His sacrifice He also became the generous outpouring of heavenly blessing that God bestowed on all people."

I recommend a listen to this session of Ask Pastor John on DesiringGod.com where John Piper nets it out for believers seeking an answer to whether believers - based on the New Testament - are commanded to tithe. The answer is no but at the same time, those who truly love God as their highest treasure should think to themselves "why would we give anything less than a tithe (10 percent)?"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me...blessing me beyond what I ever imagined You could provide...and Your fountain of grace never stops flowing.  I am not deserving of course.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 3:10-12.  In these two verses, God makes a promise to Israel that He will bless the nation beyond the point where it will no longer have any needs that are not met - see v10 "until there is no more need."  A need is defined as "a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful...a condition requiring relief, [or as the] lack of the means of subsistence."  This promise is of course conditional on the people giving to God their tithe (see text that mentions tithe in the ESV Bible translation, including Leviticus 27:32 which specifically refers to 10%).  Another promise God makes is that Israel will be a land of delight.  For believers today who are under grace vs under the law, there is no longer a requirement for a tithe as believers give what is referred to instead as an offering - see this helpful resource.  We should give freely at least a tithe (10%) as an expression of our love for Christ who gave His life for us.  Believers should also understand that God is the source and provides for all of our needs and whatever we have it belongs to God - this includes our own body.  Everything we have - our lives and our belongings should be used in the service of the Lord, to fulfill His mission, including the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We should trust in how God provides.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs and never leaves or forsakes me - thank You!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You provide. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Malachi 3:6-10a

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10a

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books.  While yesterday my study included a commentary assisted overview of the book of Malachi and an unassisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a, today my study is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a.  This commentary for this text is includes the following excerpts:

1. Main idea and introduction to the text: "God’s commitment to His covenant trumps Israel’s rebellious history, holding out repentance to Israel and lavishing blessing on both Israel and the nations. Even though the people have fluctuated in their affections and devotion to God, He has not changed, which, as we will see, is the very foundation of His promise of restoration."
2. Division #1 - Malachi 3:6: The text begins with God's promise of mercy for Israel based on a promise He made to Jacob in Genesis 32:28.  God keeps His promises. The commentary shares: "Most of the time, when the Israelites are referred to as the children of Jacob, it’s a rebuke for their disobedience. It’s a reference to the name of their forefather before the divine blessing was bestowed. Yet, even though they were faithless, God would remain faithful to them, as He was to their father, Jacob. Their rebellion has led them far from God, but restoration is still possible if they desire change."  We are are challenged today with the same promise - repent and return to God and He will return to You (see v7).   
   
3. Division #2 - Malachi 3:7-10a: True repentance and reconciliation with God focuses on humility, where the commentary shares how Israel was challenging God by asking God how to return to Him, thinking they were already living as God intended.  God disputes this and offers a sharp rebuke - the commentary calls the dialogue here not one of "clarification" but one of "disputation."  We should not be so arrogant to argue with God believing His judgement is wrong.  Instead we should seek clarification about why and how we can live as He desires us to. We exist to glorify God.  God's rebuke focused on how the Israelites were not tithing to God - v8 - calling them robbers.  Our possessions come from God and belong to Him.  We should give back to God what is His in obedience to His commands - see also 2 Corinthians 8-9.  In response to those who claim that we are no longer under the law but under grace, the commentary shares that "grace never expects less;it always demands more...We should not give to God because we are under obligation to tithe, we should give because He has already given us the inexpressible gift of His Son Jesus Christ."  See also Luke 18-19. "Malachi is not necessarily calling out those who have been faithfully giving, asking them to give more; Malachi is calling out those who gave nothing. He is calling out those who haphazardly gave. He is calling out those who are giving without worshiping. God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to understand that a closed hand is unable to receive a blessing. With a generous, open hand, you are opening yourself up to receive God’s blessings. With a rebellious, closed hand, you are hindering your ability to receive God’s blessings."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Father God Jesus for Your grace and mercy and how You keep Your promises despite how I often fall down.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Pursuing Satisfaction in Money Is Meaningless. The commentary shares more broadly Solomon's focus with the book of Ecclesiastes: "Solomon has made the point all along in Ecclesiastes that if this cursed world is all there is, then everything is meaningless. It does not matter how much pleasure, success, or stuff you have, you come away empty. Solomon’s purpose is to expose the foolishness of life without God and to show us, through the Spirit, that everything is meaningless without Messiah Jesus."  Looking specifically at v11, the commentary highlights how wealth can attract those that seek to take from you, not caring about you, but instead about your money.  It  highlights in v13 how wealth can hurt you if you hoard, sharing: "[h]oarding riches does not help you; it hurts you. Being stingy with what you have can destroy your family because of your workaholism, it can ruin your health because you do not sleep well, and it can harm your character."  The commentary for this division concludes by sharing how in v17 "Solomon’s final point is that the rich man eats in darkness with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. This man does not enjoy life. He is lonely and has no one with whom to share his wealth. Thus, trying to find satisfaction in money and stuff is meaningless. It never truly brings satisfaction, and then you die." Pursue Jesus, not money and things!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is so good to me - giving me what I cannot attain on my own, not with any amount of money.  You give me my salvation and the blessings that accompany such an inheritance - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving...not by a long shot.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Pursuing Satisfaction in Money Is Meaningless.  Ecclesiastes 5:10 cuts to the point immediately and both the commentary chapter and division title aptly encapsulate this verse.  V11 also provides insights into the heart of those who treat money and wealth as an idol - when one acquires goods for his own pleasure but they don't truly provide an advantage to the acquirer.  V12 compares the "sweet" sleep of the poor or modest laborer with that of a wealthy person who might be constantly on the run, worrying about their pursuit of money or wealth.  Vv13-14 shares how money and possessions don't last and can be easily lost - see also Matthew 6:19-21.  Vv15-16 shares how all - regardless of their wealth - will die, and wealth, while it may be passed on to future generations through inheritance, cannot stop death. Finally, v17 shares how "all the days" of a wealthy person - without God - are spent "in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger," implying that without God we remain slaves to sin and condemned for eternity.  Believers can take comfort knowing that with God, He is with us all of our days not just when we are in our earthly bodies, but also with us for eternity in Heaven.  Believers rejoice for having such a Savior!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and made me one of Your elect.  Thank You Jesus!  But again I am not deserving - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.

1 Timothy 6

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. 1 Timothy 6:10a

I continue a short pause my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion - where John Piper examines what is meant by Paul's text in from 1 Timothy 6:10a. Piper starts by sharing that "[Paul] meant that all the evils in the world come from a certain kind of heart, namely, the kind of heart that loves money."  Piper then continues by defining a heart that loves money as a heart that places its faith in "what you can get from man — other human beings — instead of God."  Piper then pivots God's answer to this heart condition - Piper states that "God deals in the currency of grace, not money[.]"  Piper refers us to Isaiah 55:1 where the text says "[c]ome, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."  Piper continue by sharing that "[m]oney is the currency of human resources. So, the heart that loves money is a heart that pins its hopes, and pursues its pleasures, and puts its trust in what human resources can offer.  So, the love of money is virtually the same as faith in money — belief (trust, confidence, assurance) that money will meet your needs and make you happy. Love of money is the alternative to faith in God’s future grace." He wraps by referring us to Matthew 6:24 where Jesus said that "[n]o one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."  We are encouraged to trust, belief, and have faith in God vs what man can provide (see also Matthew 6:19-21).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and only You can provide forgiveness of sin, eternal salvation, Your Word, the church, the Holy Spirit, etc....all blessings that surpass anything that man can ever provide - not even close!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

I pause from both my study of Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's daily devotion from John Piper's Solid Joys found on DesiringGod.com.  Piper warns us, as does Paul, against covetousness for either possessions or wealth - this is a dangerous snare that seeks to not only pull us away from Jesus but also jeopardize our salvation. As Paul writes and Piper emphasizes us to pick up, we are to flee such pursuits and to take hold of our eternal life (lest we lose it!). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that all things come from You and they belong to You to be used for Your glory.  You provide - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide, bless, and save.  My sin is great - every day it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs....Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 1-6

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs....Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:7-10, 17-19

Day 350 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read the Paul's first letter after (his apparent*) release from house arrest in Rome. My commentary provides the following summary of this letter: "[i]t is probably from Macedonia that Paul writes to Timothy, who as a young evangelist is facing serious challenges to faith and doctrine within the church at Ephesus. Paul therefore deals with matters of church organization and conduct, particularly regarding prayer; the role of women; qualifications of elders and deacons; support of widows; and proper attitudes for Christian slaves. Paul gives Timothy personal instruction and advice on a variety of matters and warns him concerning both false doctrine and those who would teach false doctrine, whose only goal in teaching is either making money or achieving popularity. The entire letter reflects the tone of a father writing to his son, as indeed Paul apparently regards this young man, Timothy."
 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

As noted by my commentary, Paul writes about a variety of subjects but this morning, as I am blessed financially, I am struck by Paul's words on money and wealth.  I am to be a good steward of how God has blessed me. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me in many ways, including financially.  I am not deserving for the many ways that You have blessed me.  I worry...and I have other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. v6-8

Paul writes to Timothy warning him of the evil of money (v10).  Paul knows how God alone gives us what we need and we should be content with His provision.   Money is important but it can easily distract us from our need for Jesus and How He provides and provides contentment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen You provide in all circumstances - I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for never failing to provide - for all things.  I am undeserving of such blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 12

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. v6

In this story (see also Matthew 26 and Mark 14), Mary pours expensive perfume "on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair" (v3).  Judas Iscariot objects, according to John, not based on his care for the poor but because he was a thief.  As "keeper of the money bag", Judas Iscariot's nearness and ease of access to money was too tempting for him to avoid embezzling funds from Jesus' ministry.  This is a warning for us that are blessed financially - to put in place controls so as to avoid growing comfortable with money and ultimately comfortable with spending it vs using it for God's glory.

Check out this post on DesiringGod.com that posits that Jesus put Judas Iscariot in control of the money bag to teach us what happens when we love money vs loving God.  Scary stuff.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - You have blessed me beyond what I deserve in all ways - and most importantly by adopting me as Your son.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving as I sin daily.  I worry, I am selfish, and I harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Luke 19

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” v8

In contrast to the rich young ruler in Luke 18 who went away sad, recognizing that he could not have both salvation and love/idolatry of his wealth, Zaccheus was willing to give up his love of money in return for salvation.  Note that Zaccheus did not give up ALL of his wealth but 50% of it.  The rich young ruler, in contrast, was asked by Jesus to give up all of his wealth to have eternal life.  The difference between the two from Jesus' perspective was their heart condition and views on wealth. Zaccheus did not place his wealth above God (or even at the same level of God) but the rich young ruler did.  Heart condition matters.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me with treasures that surpass earthly profit.  You are worth SO much more than gold or silver - and You bless me with faith, Your Word, the church, my brothers and sisters and Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark - I often seek to bring glory to myself.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 18

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” v29

In v18-30 (also in Matthew 19 and Mark 10), Jesus engages in a conversation with a wealthy man (ruler) seeking to enter the Kingdom of God.  The wealthy man is looking for what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus engages with the man who believes he is in good shape early in the conversation when he tells Jesus that he is already following the commandments indicated in v20.  Yet he stumbles when Jesus confronts Him with a challenge (sell everything that He has) that implies He is not following the most important commandments as Jesus describes in Matthew 22:34-40.  You see, the man loves his money and possessions more than God and this is the problem.

We need to love God - first and foremost - above everyone and every thing.

See also this great post from DesiringGod.com.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has paid the ultimate price for me - You suffered a gruesome death...for me.  I can't even fully grasp this yet I know this is true.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and grace.  I gossip, and I worry, among my many, many sins...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind, and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.

Luke 16

But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. v25-26

A stark warning indeed from Jesus who teaches from yet another parable - The Rich Man and Lazarus!

John Piper does a great job examining how our heart needs to change to receive Christ to avoid the fate of the rich man as told in this parable. Piper warns us on the love of money and materialism.  I think how we spend our time is also critically important because selfishness and our own comforts and desires also prevent us from loving God.

Piper puts it this way: "[t]o recognize and receive Jesus for who he really is, we have to will to do the will of God, namely, pursue the glory of God above all other pleasures in our life". 

Key here is that we have to WILL to do the will of God with the definition of "will" being:  "intend, desire, or wish (something) to happen."

This goes to the topic of spiritual formation - and Dallas Willard indicates we need vision, intention, and method for this.  Method involves practice of the spiritual disciplines, including study, prayer, worship, service, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me faith and transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!   I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Luke 16

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. v14-15

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager of course is about money and Jesus warns us not to idolize or "serve" money (v13).  We are encouraged to be good stewards of the blessings God places in our hands.  John Piper encourages us to see how Jesus encourages us to do good with our money for the purposes of God's glory.

We must, just as the shrewd manager did, turn from our ways of waste (of our time, treasure, and talents).  See also John Piper: Calling All Clay Pots.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You are SO full of grace and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” v21

The Parable of the Rich Fool (found only in Luke) starts with a man asking Jesus to help him gain a share of an inheritance (presumably because he is not either entitled or in-line to receive a portion).  Jesus responds with the parable which contains a warning that we must be prepared for Satan to grab hold of our soul should we worship wealth and money.  In the warning, Jesus contrasts focus on wealth and money versus being "rich towards God".  

John Piper has a great post on these very words.

Jesus, please help me avoid focus on money and wealth and help me a good steward of the blessings You have entrusted with me. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God and You have always met my needs - I need not worry.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving because I do worry - about money and about my kids, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. v10-11

In this passage when a sinful woman (Mary) anoints Jesus with very expensive perfume, Judas objects, claiming the money "wasted" could be given to the poor.  Judas had already betrayed Jesus in his heart much earlier and now he was just being a poser - faking his faith and finding contentment not in Jesus but in money.  See also reference to same story in Matthew, Luke, and John.

Paul writes to his protege Timothy warning him how the love of money and the world corrupts us: 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

John Piper and his team at DesiringGod.com also warn us.  Watch these: Video1, Video2, Video3. Read this - from this post is this gem by C.S. Lewis:

Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be — or so it feels — welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. . . . Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?

If we focus on a wordly definition of contentment then we fail to cultivate good soil and our relationship with Jesus Christ will be obstructed and we cannot expect Him to bear fruit in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have come to save me and provide life - and life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” v29-31

This passage is repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  

In a message to seminary graduates, John Piper delivered this sermon.  As these graduates prepared to enter the work world and a life of independence (likely from their parents), Piper was imploring them to treasure Jesus vs the world and to live a "wartime lifestyle" (as does many others such as David Platt).

He warns also to avoid the fate of the rich young man who have a love of money vs Jesus.  Piper gives us two examples of those whose fate followed different paths.

Gehazi and the love of money
Mephibosheth and the love of God

Jesus, please help me live a "wartime lifestyle" and to treasure You above all else.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are as You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - yet there have been times in my life and there will continue to be times in my life when I put something or someone else, including money, above You - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops[.]

Proverbs 3

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops[.] v9

I have been blessed financially and it is my hope that I have been a good steward of the resources entrusted to me.  God wants us to be generous and to give freely and with a cheerful heart. 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

See also John Piper's thoughts on using money shrewdly and the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.

My Prayer; Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who provides - for all things and in all times - You are the source of all provision.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me - my cup overflows and I am undeserving.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.