Category Archives: Money & Wealth

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

April 28, 2017

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, Faith & Hope, Fruit of the Spirit, God's Plan, God's Promises, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Spiritual Gifts, Today: Make it Count

SEND IT ON AHEAD

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)]

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. [Matthew 16:27 [(ESV)]

orchid“A Christian doesn’t die,” declared the pastor, which may have been news to some of those attending the Celebration of Life. “He just moves!” the minister added as an explanation. Indeed, we are just temporary residents here on earth. Death for a Christian is simply a relocation and, unlike most moves we’ve made, it doesn’t require a purging of the items in the attic, garage sales, packing up boxes, or wrangling friends into helping us carry the heavy stuff! This is one transfer that neither requires moving vans nor mail forwarding.

Although we can’t take anything with us, our pastor often reminds us that we can send things on ahead! That doesn’t mean we gather our favorite possessions and take them to FedEx but it does mean we can store treasures in heaven. Unlike treasure here on earth, however, heavenly treasure has no monetary value. It’s made of up things like earnest prayers for others (including our enemies), sharing the gospel message, loving unconditionally, using our wealth for God’s good works, being generous with our time and talents, obedience, patience, taking a stand against evil and wrongs, and fulfilling God’s purpose for us. These are the treasures laid up in heaven and no good deed will be overlooked.

At first, that sounds a lot like salvation through works but it isn’t. All the good works in the world won’t get us into heaven without belief in Jesus. We are saved through God’s grace—it is His gift to us. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the price for our ticket to eternal life. There is, however, some fine print on that ticket—once we get there, God will hold us accountable for His gifts to us in this life. Were we good stewards who used them wisely or did we squander His blessings? Did we invest God’s gifts in His kingdom or bury them in the ground? Did our activities transform the world in some way? Did we change anyone’s life for the better?

I can’t pretend to know what our heavenly rewards will be but I seriously doubt they’ll be anything like gold faucets and marble floors for the truly generous and just stainless and linoleum for those who didn’t tithe. I think the rewards will have something to do both with joy and responsibility. Here on earth, responsibility sounds suspiciously like work and work is hardly what we consider a reward, especially in heaven! Yet, in the parable of the talents, Jesus told the servants who had invested wisely that they would be given even more opportunities to serve their master. The difference between earthly work and heavenly work is that it won’t be a burden; work in God’s kingdom will be a joy! Perhaps the greatest reward, however, will be hearing His voice say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, “Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” [Matthew 25:20-21 (ESV)]

Copyright©2017 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 22, 2017

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Fruit of the Spirit, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith, Today: Make it Count

DOING FOR OTHERS

Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! [Luke 6:31 (MSG)]

Great Blue HeronYears ago I took a short class in genealogy research. One of the first things told to us was that we were obligated to share any information we discovered with the rest of the genealogy community. Genealogy research depends on the results of other people’s searches of sources like birth and death records, cemeteries, census results and newspapers. We simply owe it to those who led us to our findings to share our knowledge with those who follow in our footsteps. I thought of that class as I wrote yesterday’s devotion about offering thanks.

A few years ago I wouldn’t have been any use at all to those people we helped at the swamp. I knew next to nothing about any of the birds in southwest Florida or where to find them. I’m still a rookie birder and most of my avian knowledge is limited to the shore and wading birds. Nevertheless, thanks to the people who generously shared their knowledge with me—who so willingly pointed out birds, identified species, answered my questions, and explained their behavior—I can now help others who are even less knowledgeable than am I. As for that off-the beaten-track conservation area, the only reason we knew about it is that someone kindly shared his knowledge of it with us.

Both the genealogy information and bird lore I’ve received were given to me gratis. There was no quid pro quo—I gave nothing (but my thanks) in exchange for what was given me. It was shared out of kindness with no expectation of repayment—a little like God’s grace. We can never pay the deeper debt we owe to God for all of His goodness. Any attempt to repay Him is a contradiction of grace because grace wouldn’t be grace if it could be repaid. Just because it can’t be repaid, however, doesn’t mean it can’t be spread around. The Golden Rule tells us to do to others as we would have done to us and then I think of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. He humbled himself to serve them and told the disciples that they must do for others what He had done for them. We must do for others that which has been freely done for us. Whether it is the giving of knowledge, service, skill, assistance, forgiveness or love, the good things that have been done for us are not ours to keep—they are ours to share. When doors are opened for us (both literally and figuratively), we are obligated to open doors for others.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. … In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. [Matthew 5:14,48 (MSG)]

Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”  [John 13:12-14 (MSG)]

Copyright ©2017 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
Standard

Posted by

Posted on

March 15, 2017

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Fruit of the Spirit, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith, Today: Make it Count

SERVANTS

But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. [Philippians 2:7 (NCV)]

There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good. [1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NCV)]

Steamboat ski areaI emailed a friend to ask about her winter and got one of those bad news/good news answers! Her husband suffered a compression fracture in his back, had a heart attack, and underwent surgery. A blizzard then deposited ten-inches of snow in their driveway! The good news was that my friend was blessed by a young man who volunteered to shovel their snow all winter as his “outreach to the elderly.” While I was struck by the man’s kindness, what really disconcerted me was that my friends and I have apparently moved into what is considered the realm of the elderly!

As much as I hate to admit it, I have chores I can no longer do easily and that list grows a little longer every day. Nevertheless, regardless of our ages, we all are called to serve. Fortunately, servanthood doesn’t require exceptional skill, special talents, or even youth.

Today, I saw a large ad for a service that provides professional readers. For a fee, a person will come and read to your loved one. I’m not begrudging people an opportunity to earn a living but I thought it sad that anyone would have to hire someone to read to children, the visually impaired, retirement home residents, or hospital patients. Is there no one who would do it out of kindness? That’s something even the “elderly” can do! We seniors may no longer be able to shovel snow but we can read to people, provide casseroles to shut-ins, and volunteer in charity resale shops. We may not be able to do the heavy lifting or install sheetrock for Habitat but we can assist in their offices or help raise funds. We may not be able to set up chairs and tables at church but we can offer respite for caregivers, become a reading partner with a child, stock shelves in a food pantry, or drive people to chemo-therapy.

While servanthood has no age constraints, it does have a few other requirements. It’s a ministry rather than an obligation and requires the heart of a servant—a heart that helps out of love rather than duty. Servanthood requires observant eyes—eyes that focus on the needs of others and look for tasks that need to be done. As servants, we must think like stewards rather than owners and understand that our time, talent and wealth are not ours to keep but God’s to use. Finally, if we’re real servants, we’re not afraid to do the work of a servant or to be treated as one. Jesus washed the filthy feet of His disciples and, as his servants, we must be willing to get our hands dirty as well!

We may get too old to shovel the walk but we’re never too old to be servants and do God’s work!

 Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. [Dalai Lama]

My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.  The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” [Galatians 5:13-14 (NCV)]

Copyright ©2017 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
Standard

Posted by

Posted on

February 28, 2017

Posted under

Church & Worship, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Fruit of the Spirit, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith, Today: Make it Count

HIS FAMILY

clam-pass-pelicans-terns
Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to see you.” Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.” [Luke 8:20-21 (NLT)]

Last Sunday, my morning’s Bible reading was Luke 8 and I was again struck by Jesus’ rather brusque words dismissing his mother and brothers. They weren’t really a denial of His earthly family; after all, His last words expressed concern for His mother. He was making the point that His work as Messiah was even more important than blood ties, adding that those who heard and recognized God’s word had a closer link with Him than even His earthly family. Even so, I found His words rather curt and un-Jesus-like.

We were visiting friends so I attended church with our Roman Catholic hosts. Although I’m Protestant, as I read their bulletin and joined in worship, I found we had far more similarities than differences. We said the same creed, recited the same Lord’s Prayer, sang many of the same songs, celebrated communion similarly with bread and wine, and heard words from the same Gospels, Epistles and Psalms. We prayed, praised and worshipped as a family. Like Christian churches everywhere, their parish visits the sick, brings communion to the homebound, has a bereavement group, collects food for the food pantry, and needs volunteers for various church tasks and teachers for Vacation Bible School. I recalled Jesus’ words in Luke and realized I’d been concentrating on His rebuff of relatives rather than the meaning of the rest of His words. Jesus’ family isn’t limited to flesh and blood but includes all those who hear and obey His word. If I am His family, all believers are part of my family! Regardless of their denomination, all Christians are my kinfolk—my brothers and sisters—no matter what house in which they choose to worship.

Later in the day, I finished reading their church bulletin and saw that their “prayer intention” for the month of March was for persecuted Christians that they might be “supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.” According to the U. S. Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ. According to Open Doors, 215 million Christians experience high to extreme persecution. Their web site reports that every month, 332 Christians are killed for their faith, 772 forms of violence (i.e. beatings, abductions, torture, and arrest) are committed against Christians, and 214 Christian churches or properties are destroyed.

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul eloquently points out that Christians are all God’s children, saying that “together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” He then adds, “But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” [17b-18] If we truly share in His suffering, we also share in the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ. With Paul’s words in mind, I ask Protestants and Catholics alike to abide by Pope Francis’ direction to focus our prayers this month on supporting persecuted Christians everywhere.

We are One in The Spirit, We are One in The Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. … We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand. And together we’ll spread the News that God is in our land. … Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love. [From “We are One in the Spirit” (Peter Scholte)]

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT)]

Copyright ©2017 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
Standard

Posted by

Posted on

February 21, 2017

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Miracles, Money & Wealth

LAY ON THE LOVE

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors. [Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (MSG)]

snowy egretsWe’d purchased a gift card at a grocery store for someone in serious financial straits and started talking about her, wondering how she got so deep in debt. A lot of unwise decisions combined with the loss of employment and topped off by major health issues was the answer. We then reminded ourselves that our task is not to analyze the hows, whys, could haves and shouldn’t haves of her or anyone else’s life—our task is simply to lay some love on our neighbors.

I recalled a discussion we had in Bible study about this very thing. Someone asked about giving money to street people—wouldn’t they just use it for drugs or drink? Our pastor reminded us that we’re not to be the judges; that’s God’s job. We’re simply to be the conduits of God’s grace. He also suggested doing what he does—rather than offering money, he gives $5 McDonald’s gift cards to panhandlers. They’re not valuable enough to be traded for drugs and can only be used for food. Another person shared that she gives street people a baggie filled with things like socks or mittens, hotel-sized toiletries, a religious tract and a card with information about local shelters and food pantries. Those kinds of gifts neither enable nor judge but they do spread God’s love. Money, gift cards and socks are just temporary solutions, however, and connecting someone with the right resources is ideal. Nevertheless, immediate needs must be met immediately, social services are rarely immediate, and some situations fall through the cracks.

When I see street people or panhandlers, I think of my nephew who, because of a combination of incredibly poor decisions, mental illness, drugs and alcohol, is one of them. They are the modern day version of the Bible’s lepers who had to sit outside the city gate—outcasts. Society has no use for them and they no longer fit into society. To a great extent, they must depend on social services and handouts to get through the day. Some are lost souls and some are scam artists, but how am I to know and who am I to judge? Rather than getting self-righteous, I remind myself, “There, but for the grace of God, go I or my children or grands.”

Jesus didn’t ask people how they got in their predicaments before healing them or ridding them of demons and the prodigal’s father didn’t ask his lost son for an accounting of his wastrel ways—they simply laid on God’s grace. Whether or not someone is worthy of our assistance is not a question that we, as Christians, should be asking. Rather, we should be asking what we can do to remedy the situation both in the short and run long. Remember, none of us are worthy of God’s grace but we all happily accepted it!

I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. [Luke 6:35-38 (MSG)]

Copyright ©2017 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
Standard

Posted by

Posted on

November 28, 2016

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

CORE VALUES

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. [Galatians 5:19-21a (MSG)]

God can’t stand deceivers, but oh how he relishes integrity. [Proverbs 11:20 (MSG)]

great egret

Last month, I read an article about a local construction company. Its founders built a successful business by focusing on a core set of values that are bookended by integrity and faith in God. Values such as leadership, lasting relationships, healthy environment, and quality are found in between those two. I recalled a dinner we had just attended that honored five businesses for their excellence. In their acceptance speeches, nearly every CEO mentioned integrity as one of his company’s core values. Considering how many corporate scandals have hit the news lately, it was heartening to find successful businesses that consider integrity to be one of their guiding principles. In just the last few months, the news has been filled with stories about corporate greed, insider trading, hacking schemes, Medicare fraud, kickbacks, identity theft, phony accounts, false claims, bribery, corruption and tax, securities, and accounting fraud. Integrity seems to be in short supply these days.

Integrity is being honest, fair and reliable. It is having soundness of moral character and being honorable, incorruptible and straightforward. It is having the courage to do the right thing in all situations. It is conducting our lives in private the same way we do in public. It is treating people who can do us favors the same way we treat those who can’t. It is what each and every person and each and every business should have but, unfortunately, often doesn’t.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the published core beliefs or corporate values of several of the recent black sheep of the business world and was surprised to see that many of them listed things like integrity, doing what’s right for their customers, ethics, and honesty as one or more of their guiding principles. Apparently, it’s easy to say we believe in integrity but much harder to act with it. What I didn’t find on any of those websites, however, was any mention of faith in God. Perhaps the mistake those scandal-ridden businesses made was not having a value like integrity bookended with faith in God. After all, it’s only through the power of the Holy Spirit that our sinful nature can be conquered.

Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you. [H. Jackson Brown, Jr.]

Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. [2 Peter 1:3 (MSG)]

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. [Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)]