They Gave Freely

Exodus 35:29
So the people of Israel - every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses - brought their gifts and gave them freely to the LORD.

Lord, help me to be this free with my stuff. I don't want to hold tightly to anything I have. I don't want things to have me instead. There is nothing I have that you haven't given me anyway. You give me the very breath in my lungs.

Lord, you have blessed me so abundantly and extravagantly. No, my family is not wealthy in the way most people think of wealth. But we have all that we truly need and more. Sure there are things I would LIKE to have, but I live comfortably and so I am content.

Lord, I would love to go to that Leader's Retreat. Right now we don't have the money. Would you please provide so that I can go? Help me to be content with whatever you decide. Whether I get to go or not. I love you and praise you, Lord Jesus. It's in your name I pray.

MEMORY VERSE

Salvation Not By Works

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

Salvation Not By Works

Who's on My Throne?

Jeremiah 17:5

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD."

Hosea 6:6

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 19:21

Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."

It seems better to me to have my treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Maybe it's easier for me to say that since I don't have a lot of possessions. And yet, as I take a look around me...my yarn, my laptop, the couch I'm sitting on, the home I live in...would I be willing to give all this up for Jesus?

That is a hard one. I'm beginning to understand why the young man went away sad. However, if I can keep an eternal perspective, then it seems more do-able. It seems much better to have treasures in heaven where I will have eternity to enjoy them.

Matthew 16:26

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"

Matthew 6:19-21

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

Jesus, help me to hold only loosely to the things I own. Don't let them own me! Help me to be content with what I have but not to treasure anything or anyone here on earth more than I treasure you. Help me to be ready and eager to share what I have so that I can store up treasures in heaven.

I think it was Louie Giglio who first said it, but Pastor Danny often quotes this:  "You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your loyalty. At the end of that trail you'll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship."

Jesus, I want you to be the ONLY one to occupy that throne!

How We Should See Money

Psalm 119:133

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Psalm 119:133

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Matthew 6:22-23

"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!"

Lord, these verses have always confused me. Would you please help me to understand them?

Why are they here between verses about money?

After looking up the cross-references provided by my Bible: Matthew 20 and Mark 7:22, this seems to be a warning against becoming too focused on money. If we think too much about money, then it will cloud our spiritual vision. Depending on how we see and use money, it will either bring us spiritual sight and health or spiritual blindness and death. You want us to use money to help bring others to you.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.