Only One Gave Thanks

Luke 17:11-19 KJV; Thanksgiving Day; Only one in ten who were healed gave thanks and he was made whole.

No Room For Others?

Luke 2:6-7 KJV; Imagine spending Christmas or any day homeless. The governments apparently have no fix; too many other things to spend taxpayer's money on. Jesus told Peter and us if you love me; feed my sheep.

Corruptible Things Will Not Save You

1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV; We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone not for anything we tithe or any good works or even any traditions that we might think we need to follow.

What Are The True Riches?

Luke 16:10-15; The true riches are found in the Kingdom of God.

Beware Of False Gods

 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 

                                                                      (Gal 4:1-9 KJV)

We know that through Christ we are free men and women. We know that we are the children of God and have been freed from bondage to those who by nature are not gods. Yet, something within us keeps driving us back into bondage to serve those false gods. Beware of the false gods that would creep into your life. Some of those false gods might seem innocent enough. But, they are not. They will take away our freedom. 

We are not always even aware when we have become obsessed with them; after all, we live in a world where false gods tend to take center stage in the world. When we cannot do without something or some activity then, dear friends, know that you have sold yourself back into bondage. You have sold yourself to a false god. as you are giving your time, your money, your life, to serve this false god. These false gods cannot save you. They can even bring you any real happiness or joy. They will not give you peace of heart or mind or soul.

We are children and heirs of the living God. Jesus freed us from bondage with his blood. Take hold of that freedom and turn away from all that would return you to bondage. 

Rejoice, for the Son has set you free and you are free indeed! (John 8-36)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Listen To Him

Psalm 1:1-4 KJV

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

+++

God's will; His way, is for the good of all who listen and follow in that way. When we decide that we would rather do our own thing than listen to him things don't always go so well for us.

According to the prophet Isaiah:

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."  

                                                                            (Isa 55:2-3)

And when Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus being transfigured and speaking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain they heard a voice that told them that they were to listen to him.

"While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matt 17:5)

This is His beloved Son. This is our beloved brother and our savior. Listen to him for all that he has done and is doing is out of love for humankind; for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Of Money

1 Tim 6:10

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. 

                                                                     (Eccl 5:10-20 KJV)

There was a time when just about everyone rejoiced that they had work that would enable them to provide for themselves and their families. Their rejoicing was not because they were going to be rich and and have every material thing that they desired. They rejoiced that God had provided them a means to be able to have shelter and food to eat for themselves and their families. They were not so greedy to want every material thing because they actually wanted to have time to spend with their families and friends. They knew that there were and are more important things in life than "stuff."

One of my husband's great-uncles told me the story of how he provided for his family. He had been struggling to make ends meet so he prayed that God would give him enough money to support his ever growing family. Within short order he was hired by the post-office and lived financially comfortable; yet, not rich in things, ever after... He was ever grateful to God who provided for his family.

Things are not the most important thing in life. Great wealth can very easily rob a person of the greater pleasures in life. 

Let us give thanks to God for the real pleasures in life. Live life in Christ and rejoice!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Fulfills The Law

"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." 

                                                                                 (Lev 19:15-18 KJV)

What has scripture to say about treating some people in your community; in your congregation, better or worse than others?    

The law reminds us that we are not to base the way that we treat others on their status in this world; whether they have money or if they have none. Do not gossip about them to bring about their demise.  Rebuke your brother or sister in Christ out of love for them not wishing them harm and definitely not causing them harm.

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

                                                                                       (Matt 22:35-40)

The law reminds us that we are to love God and to love one another. Jesus fulfilled the law in that he loved us so much that he was willing to die for a world full of sinners that we might be reconciled to one another.  His loving sacrifice was given that we might live in peace in the presence of God our Father for all of eternity. 

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10)

Let us love one another that we might be reconciled to God and to one another; that we might live in peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Gifts Of God Cannot Be Bought By Us

 

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 

                                                                      (Act 8:9-15, 17-24 KJV)

It takes time to really get to know the LORD. We may hear the message and believe; but, it still takes time to really get to know; to have a relationship, with the LORD. There are many lessons to learn along the way in order to grow in Christ. Some of us take longer than others to learn the lessons.

Simon, the sorcerer, did not understand fully when he was first baptized. The people thought that he had great power; that is, until Philip came to town. Philip was busy proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Even this sorcerer, Simon, heard Philip, believed, and was baptized. 

When Peter and John came to town, they prayed and laid hands on the new believers because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. In his zeal, Simon wanted this ability to lay on hands so that people might receive the Holy Spirit. Whether he wanted it to make himself look good or in order for even more people might come to know the Holy Spirit or both, we do not know for sure. It may have been a noble quest or it may have been a self-centered request. A real problem was that Simon thought that he could buy this gift. He did not yet know Jesus enough to know that the gifts that are given us were purchased by His blood. They cannot be bought.

A few years ago, I tried encouraging an elderly woman to return to worship now and then, as she was able. She had no problem getting around; but, no longer drove so I promised to pick her up. She did not want to go. Her response was "I paid my dues." I reminded her that we cannot buy salvation. She was a very lovely woman and it made me very sad to think that her relationship with Jesus all these years had been a relationship built on the law and not the graceful love of God. She, had indeed been very faithful in attendance when she was younger. But, I wondered, had she really heard and understood the message of God's gift of love to her, in His Son, Jesus the Christ. Had she accepted Jesus Christ as her one and only savior?

When Peter and John pointed out Simon's sin in thinking he could purchase God's gifts it appears that he repented and grew from the lesson as he asked for prayer. May we all be willing to accept that our works will not purchase for us any of God's gifts. May God help us to, day be day, to grow in relationship with Him, our Father, our Savior, our Counselor.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Tempted

 

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

                                                                                       (Matt 4:8-11 KJV)

When Jesus was tempted by Satan; when Satan promised Jesus that he would give him all the kingdoms of the world if he would only worship him, Jesus said no. Yet, why is it that although we profess to worship the one true God we still often seek ownership of things of this world; not because we need them to live; but, because we seek the glory of them for ourselves?

We are tempted and often succumb to those temptations. There is nothing in this world that can compare to the glory of Jesus. So why is it then that when we are promised by false prophets and politicians that they will give us this or that we all to often listen and follow them?

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" 

                                                                                            (Matt 6:24-25)

Life is more than the material things we seek and cling to in this world. Money, diverse forms of property, godless gain, prestigious status; none of these things will bring you peace. You might think that money will buy you happiness; but, it does not bring you peace. Only the love of God can do that. All things in this world are temporary; but, the love of God in Christ Jesus is eternal. The Kingdom of God is eternal. The Kingdom of God is peace. Seek that which will bring you eternal peace; not, those things that will rot away. Seek first the Kingdom.

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 

                                                                                            (1 Tim 6:5-10)

There is only one God, worship Him alone! Trust in Him above all others!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Meaningless Love of Money

The older I get the more death becomes a reality, I lapse into more moments of thinking that life is as meaningless as Solomon would imply. Why all the years of toil, if it is to be gone in a second?

This toiling after riches is meaningless.

"The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.

When goods increase, those who eat them increase; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

Sweet is the sleep of laborers, whether they eat little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep.

There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands. As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands."
                                                               (Eccl 5:10-15 NRSV)

That is not to say that work is evil. We must work if we expect to eat. But, it becomes very bothersome, even a burden, when one works only to amass riches. Jesus told this story to a crowd who followed to listen to Him:

“And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
                                                               (Luke 12:17-21)

Our work should bring joy to us as well as to others. Live life! Enjoy the life that God has given you! Whether it is in the hours you spend laboring or during the hours you are relaxing with your friends and family, life here on earth is to be lived and enjoyed. Life, abundant life, is a gift from God.

"This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God."
                                                                (Eccl 1:18-19)

While you are yet making your journey through this world focus not on amassing wealth or power to the exploitation of others, but on living life so that God may be glorified.

And... may the peace and joy that is found in being in relationship with God, our Father and with one another, through His Son, Jesus the Christ, be with you always. Pr. J

The Meaninglessness Of The Love Of Things

The older I get and death becomes more of a reality, the more I lapse into moments of thinking that life is as meaningless as Solomon would imply. Why all the years of toil, if it is to be gone in a second? This toiling after amassing riches is totally meaningless. Living life to amass things means that we will miss out on living and enjoying our lives in Christ in the here and now. We can; after all, only serve one God. 

Solomon's words of wisdom in the book of Ecclesiastes tell us:

The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.

When goods increase, those who eat them increase; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

Sweet is the sleep of laborers, whether they eat little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let them sleep.

There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands. As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands."
                                                                        (Eccl 5:10 - 15 NRSV) 

That is not to say work is evil. We should work if we expect to eat. But, it becomes very bothersome, even a burden, when one works only to amass riches. Jesus told this story to a crowd who followed to listen to Him: 
 

Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’  Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
                                                                             Luke 12:16-21

Our work should bring joy to us as well as to others. Live life! Enjoy the life that God has given you! Whether it is in the hours you spend laboring or during the hours you are relaxing with your friends and family, life here on earth is to be lived and enjoyed. Life, abundant life, is a gift from God.

This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot. Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God. For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts. (Eccl 5:18-20).

Focus your journey here on earth, not on amassing wealth or power to the exploit of others, but on living life so that God may be glorified.

And... may the peace and joy that is found in being in relationship with God, our Father and with one another, through His Son, Jesus the Christ, be with you always.  

Pr. J

Loving Money

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

This is not to say that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. Maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given you wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world. Be careful that the love of things does not bring you down a path with pain and sorrow at the end.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might advance the Kingdom and glorify His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Not Riches

Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
there is nothing left for them to inherit.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.  (Eccl 5:10 - 15 NIV) 

Is everything as meaningless as Solomon would imply? Why all the years of toil, if it is to be gone in a second? Even if you have something to leave your offspring, how long will it last them? Do they have the skills to be good stewards of what is left them? Do they follow in the way that they should go so that all that they say and thing and do will glorify God? Will their inheritance be wasted away on trivial stuff - fleeting moments of pleasure rather than those things that will bring real joy (that is glorifying God)? Will they appreciate all the years that you spent earning and saving it for them?

This toiling after riches is meaningless.

That is not to say that work is evil. We should work if we expect to eat. But, it becomes very bothersome, even a burden, when one works only to amass riches. Amassing riches will not bring you the happiness that you think it will. Without genuine love; love as of God, there is no joy; there is no peace.

Jesus told this story to a crowd who followed to listen to Him: 

   “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
   "Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
   “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
   “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God."
                                                                                                                             Luke 12:17-21

Brothers and sisters, do not let your life go by without knowing the joy; the happiness, of genuine love. Do not allow the love of money to make your life utterly meaningless. Live life! Work hard at what you do; but, love hard as well. Love the Lord your God will all your heart and soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39) Happiness is a bi-product of love. While you are yet making your journey through this world focus not on amassing wealth or power to the exploitation of others, but on living life abundantly loving one another so that God may be glorified.

And... may the peace and joy that is found in being in relationship with God, our Father and with one another, through His Son, Jesus the Christ, be with you always.  Pr. J

In The Name Of Jesus The Church Grows

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8 NIV)

Church budgets often end up being the central focus of many congregations and denominations. How are we going to keep going if we can't pay the bills? I guess one question we might need to ask is what are we intending to keep going. Are we here to keep the buildings that were built by human hands together? Or, are we here as part of the living temple, built not by human hands; but, by the blood of Jesus Christ?

Peter, who is considered by many as the first "Pope" was broke. He had no money to share with anyone. He had no money to be used for building up buildings. John who was with Peter at the time had no money. None of the apostles, except maybe for the tax collector Matthew, was wealthy. They were not wealthy; they had no money to build building; but, somehow under their direction the early church grew by leaps and bounds. It was not money that grew the church; but, the power of the Spirit of Christ working in and through them. It was by reaching out to people in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that the church on earth grew by leaps and bounds.

Peter was broke. But, he was willing to share what he did have with others. And, what he had was worth so much more than silver and gold. He could bless the crippled man in the name of Jesus the Christ so that this man could live life more fully. He jumped up praising God, healthy and whole. He could walk and would no longer need to beg. 

Money might get us a building or even a cathedral or two. But, we don't need money to share what God has given us through Jesus the Christ. He has given us Jesus. We have the name of Jesus and in him we have more to share with others than any amount of money can buy.

May God help us to focus on the real treasure and that treasure is Jesus the Christ. Let us praise God for all that He has done for us and share the awesomeness of Jesus with anyone and everyone in any need and we are all in need. We are all beggars who rely on the love and gifts of God to live life most fully in this world and the Kingdom to come. Let us share with others what we do have. Let us share the love of God through Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Cannot Serve The Lord And Money

1 Timothy 6:10

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matt 6:24

Oh, my... so many unworthy masters; false gods in the lives of those who profess to be Christians! I seem to have to warn people about false gods way too much. Over and over again over many years I have been warning people I love about the evil that comes with the love of money. I hope that this is not a season that I will be, again, reminding the same people to beware of the false gods of greed and of money and material things; for these false gods will sneak into your lives without you even knowing it. If you are not very careful, they will drag you down and pull you away from the master who truly loves you.

I am not implying that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. In fact, maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given use wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might glorify Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Toiling After Riches

The older I get the more death becomes a reality, I lapse into more moments of thinking that life is as meaningless as Solomon would imply. Why all the years of toil, if it is to be gone in a second? Even if you have something to leave your offspring, how long will it last them? Do they follow in the way that they should go so that all that they say and thing and do will glorify God? Will their inheritance be wasted away on trivial stuff - fleeting moments of pleasure rather than those things that will bring real joy (that is glorifying God)? Will they appreciate all the years that you spent earning and saving it for them?

This toiling after riches is meaningless.

"Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?
The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
there is nothing left for them to inherit.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands.  (Eccl 5:10 - 15 NIV) 

That is not to say work is evil. We should work if we expect to eat. But, it becomes very bothersome, even a burden, when one works only to amass riches. Jesus told this story to a crowd who followed to listen to Him: 

 “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
  "Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.  And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
  “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:17-21

Our work should bring joy to us as well as to others. Live life! Enjoy the life that God has given you! Whether it is in the hours you spend laboring or during the hours you are relaxing with your friends and family, life here on earth is to be lived and enjoyed. Life, abundant life, is a gift from God.

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." (Eccl 1:18-20).

While you are yet making your journey through this world focus not on amassing wealth or power to the exploitation of others, but on living life so that God may be glorified.

And... may the peace and joy that is found in being in relationship with God, our Father and with one another, through His Son, Jesus the Christ, be with you always.  Pr. J

Lying To God

Lies invite darkness to descend upon the soul;
even upon the world.

 

  Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

  Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

  When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

  About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

  “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

  Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

  At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 

                                                                                                                              (Acts 5:1-10)

I have been lied to and about so many times that there is no way that I could even count the times. We all have. Frankly, it makes me a bit weary. Sometimes, the lies are used to make someone look like someone they are not; like they are in the right and are doing good for others; while they are in truth, not.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira attempted to make themselves look righteous. They wanted to look as generous as the others who had sold their property and gave the proceeds to the church for the good of all of the people. But, they withheld some. Their sin was not so much in keeping some for themselves. The sin was in attempting to lie to God the Holy Spirit. God knows everything we say and think and do. It is just a bad idea to try telling God lies. The humans that we might tell lies to; usually know that we are not telling the whole truth, as well. We may not be able to prove the lies; but, God knows the truth. Lying to God, to others, and to ourselves can be very detrimental to our lives, to our futures.

The rest of the story for Ananias and Sapphira was that when they lied to Peter and to God, they died. They died immediately. When we lie to protect ourselves and our own egos; a bit of us dies inside, as well. When we tell untruths we are not who we were or who we can be in Christ Jesus. Make every effort then to speak and live in the truth with integrity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Prosperity Gospel Full Of Greed

   Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
   “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone." 
                                                                                                         (Luke 11:39-42 NIV)

Having fallen asleep with the television on, I woke up this morning to hear one of those "prosperity gospel" preachers. He reminded me of many of our politicians; with no clue as to what poverty really means. They have no clue as to how many people in this country and around the world are living without the very basics needed to sustain healthy lives. This early morning preacher was encouraging people to "sow a seed" of $1000.00 and God would reward 1000 of those givers of $1000.00 seeds with 100 consecutive days of miracles to prosper them. God would bless these 1000 poor people. 

Now, a whole lot of you might think that someone who only has a thousand dollars to sow is poor. But, the reality is that if you have a thousand dollars to give away you are not the poorest of the lot in this country. If you can afford to give a thousand dollars away in the hopes for more money (i.e. gamble the money away) then you are far richer in this world than multitudes who live pay day to pay day and get further and further behind in providing even the bare necessities of life to their families. When Christians give we are not to be giving to gain anything; to help ourselves in this world or the next nor can we buy our salvation. We give because we want to help others to live. The kind of giving that this prosperity preacher is advocating is the greed and wickedness that we hear our Lord warn us about in the Gospel of Luke (11:39-42).

Giving is a good thing. It is even a necessary thing. But, we do not give to honor ourselves or to gain anything for ourselves. We give out of love for God and for others, even as Jesus was willing to give his whole life for us.

May God grant to us generous hearts as we give to the poor; doing justice; and, loving God.   

God's Peace - Pr. J