Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “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
“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.”- Matthew 6:24
“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
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”- Proverbs 11:24-25
“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”-Proverbs 30:7-9
“And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”-2 Corinthians 8:10-15
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Insight: Jesus talked about money more than any other subject. I wonder why? Jesus knew the importance money and wealth played in society. That is why he spent so much time teaching about it. He knew both the pluses and minuses of wealth. He knew if we have proper perspective and understanding, it can be used for amazing good, but if it controls us it can cause great harm. Jesus knew money could buy a lot of things but not the best things. He knew with money you could buy a house, but not a home. You could buy sex, but not love. You could buy a position, but not respect. You could buy a Doctor, but not health. Jesus knew how much money would be at the center of our world. He taught out of love to put it in its proper place and to use proper perspective in where and how it fits in the hierarchy of needs. He told us we must see it as a gift from God, ( He owns it all ) cared for by God,( we are just stewards ) and that it must be available to others. ( radical generosity is the key to financial freedom ). I have seen wealth and greed lead to quarrels and hurt feelings in my own family. I have seen the despair of wealth that doesn’t provide tranquility, peace or satisfaction. I have also seen wealth used to save kids from starvation, from keeping kids out of orphanages, affording the best medical treatment, and for obtaining educational opportunities. The main conclusion you can draw is like almost anything, money can be both used for both good and for evil, to save and to destroy. Jesus knows what we need even before we do. That is why he spent so much time teaching on this subject.
0 Comments