Reluctant Acceptance

Reluctant Acceptance

Genesis 43: ¹¹ And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. ¹³ Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

 

============

 

Seeing there were no other options, Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that Benjamin had to be sent to Egypt. He told his sons to take the money that was returned to them and give it to the Egyptians. He also said give them special items from the land.

 

My Observations:

• Israel finally accepted that the famine was still there and he had to do something.
• Israel did not mention Simeon’s name, but he did mention Benjamin, which shows he and Simeon still had strife between them over Dinah’s assault.
• Israel seemed to brace himself to also lose Benjamin by saying “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

 

It seems like Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that nothing was going well and he was about to lose the son from the woman he loved. Rachel, his wife, was barren for so many years that it seemed like she would never have children. But when she had Joseph, then Benjamin, everything seemed alright with Israel. But now Rachel was dead and so was Joseph, or so he thought. He could not see what GOD was doing.

 

Israel figured he would try to make the situation better by sending items that were locally grown and were appealing. He may have hoped that he could keep Benjamin alive by sending extra stuff. We do this too. We try to control the situation that GOD has ordained. Israel had seen enough sorrow. GOD saw everything and was planning something huge that Israel did not expect.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Israel’s response to his son’s request to take Benjamin to Egypt?
• Have you ever settled in your mind that you have to be miserable?
• Can you not settle for a miserable outcome and ask GOD to renew your faith in HIS power to make you thrive?

Am I shining my light?

Exodus 27: ²⁰ “Command the people of Israel to bring you clear oil that is made from pressed olives. Use it to keep the lamps burning and giving light.

²¹ “Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Tent of Meeting. The lamps will be outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant. The lamps must be kept burning in my sight from evening until morning. That is a law for the people of Israel that will last for all time to come.

============

“What’s the purpose of serving” I said to myself in a moment of tantrum. I mean GOD doesn’t seem to listen to me anyway. Why do I have to do all this stuff? Maybe I’ll stop serving and then I will get my way.

This came after being rejected for a job that I really wanted. It was going to be my way to move back to the city where I grew up. People saw me pouting and avoided me.

• When I am down because I am not getting what I want I hide my light.
• When I am angry because of what someone else is doing I hide my light.
• When I am judgmental and excluding towards others I hide my light.

Every law is important to GOD. HE made the priests shine light for all the people to see and wants me to do the same. JESUS said “do not hide your light under a bushel” meaning not letting my lust, anger, selfishness or fear get in the way of showing others how GOD loves me. The more I pout, the more I tell people GOD doesn’t care.

• GOD cares about me so I should tell others.
• GOD loves me so I should show this with excitement.
• GOD forgives me so I should forgive others.

There are many ways to show my light. In the face of adversity I can smile. When someone is in need of a drink I can provide a meal too. If I’m facing trouble instead of being pitiful I can serve others with joy. GOD’s light and words will not come back void. In other words the smallest thing I do or say grows HIS kingdom and that’s reward enough!

• Are you pouting right now?
• Are you hiding your light because you are not getting your way?
• Can you share your faith with others by focusing on what is right?
• Won’t you help someone grow today?

Make GOD number ONE

Genesis 34: ² So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. ³ Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” 

============

Productivity was extremely low around the company as the impending message of doom was going to be announced at the company.  It was early in my career so I felt a little confident but that confidence waned as the week went on.  I had worked so hard, were they going to cut me? I began to pray.

I received a call asking me to move to another city with the company. GOD had answered my prayers. “Well I guess I better put the company first” I thought to myself.

• Many times I have made work my idol.
• Many times I have made money a false god of “security.”
• Many times I have made cars and other toys things to cherish.

I have treated some of the material things better than humans pushing thousands of dollars into them just to maintain them.  I have also treated jobs like they were a god, dedicating more time to it than GOD HIMSELF. What does GOD want from me?

• GOD wants me to make HIM the number one GOD.
• GOD does not want any human or job to be worshipped more than HIM.
• GOD does not want my house, car, money, clothing, jewelry or any other material thing to be worshipped more than HIM.

If anything or anyone gets in the way of worshipping HIM it will soon become a problem. Worry, fear and doubt will permeate my being and that is not what HE wants. GOD wants me to have peace. Anything or anyone that destroys my peace has been placed higher than HIM. GOD says look at ME and you will have peace.

• Are you worried about something?
• Are you thinking about someone and get filled with fear and doubt?
• Won’t you place your faith in GOD, knowing HE has control of every situation?
• Can you accept your purpose with HIM?

I know how you feel

Revelation 2: ⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

============

My parents had given me five dollars to go to the amusement park. Somewhere between here and there I lost my money. I cried and cried because my possibilities of having a fun day turned out to be disastrous.

Now as I look back on this incident I find it humorous. I mean I have traveled to other countries and have seen people who wonder where their next meal is going to come from. How in the world can the poor be rich?

• When I think I am poor I am usually blinded by my ambitions rather than GOD’s blessings.
• When I think I am afflicted I am focused on the ailment or the wound rather than GOD’s sovereignty.
• When I think I am finished I have given up too quickly because my faith in GOD has waned.

There are some situations that are more difficult than others but each time I look back on them I realize GOD was there watching over me. I can’t lie and say I felt this way during the trial, but after I have gone through it I felt stronger.

• GOD says “I know your afflictions” so HE knows when my body is sick or hurt.
• GOD says “I know your poverty” so HE knows when I worry about finances.
• GOD says “Yet you are rich!” so HIS view of being rich is thoroughly different than mine.

Being “rich” is having a large “bank account” of people. The more people I help, the larger my account grows. My account grows even larger when I can help others praise GOD even when I am going through a very tumultuous time. GOD says “I know” which means HE has understands the trial is difficult but HE has it in control and will not let it destroy my soul.

GOD’s plan is sovereign and full of love. Though trials appear my faith in GOD grows.

• Are you facing a trial?
• Are you feeling nervous about your finances?
• Do you believe GOD knows what you are going through?
• Can you stop listening to what “they” are saying about you and focus on how GOD made you perfect for HIS purpose?

A big stress reducer

1 Timothy 6: ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ 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.

===========

“Car” was the answer to the question what would you buy first if you had “x” amount of dollars. It seemed like we had many of these conversations. We would talk about vacations, houses, gadgets, clothes and jewelry. When the raises and bonuses were passed out we immediately went on a shopping spree to get more stuff.

Even when something broke there were no worries because we could just buy a new one. I guess the sleepless nights, political coos and not seeing my family was worth it, right? Hmm…

• When I think about losing my stuff I get stressed.
• When I look at bills mounting higher than cash I feel anxious.
• When I see new stuff has come out and my old stuff is obsolete I get discontent.

What is it about the “stuff” that makes me want it so bad? Is it the commercials that say my life will be better or is it the reaction from the crowd that points at me for having the latest thing? I don’t know what it is but I want it! Or maybe I don’t.

• GOD wants me to be content so I should take my eyes off of stuff.
• GOD wants me to have peace so HE says “don’t desire stuff so much.”
• GOD wants me to remain in the faith so I should guard my mind against the anxieties of the world and allow GOD to handle my finances.

I want to be rich but does GOD want me to be rich? Can I handle wealth or will I become the thing GOD hates the most namely an arrogant, proud, useless soul who cares more about the stuff than people. Being wealthy is not the problem, GOD blesses many. The “desire” to be wealthy is where I open myself to doing “anything it takes” to get there.

• Are you doing anything it takes to get more money?
• Are you content?
• What drives your worries the most?
• Can you let go of some of your worries and focus on what GOD is doing in your life?
• Won’t you spend some of the time you normally spend chasing your dream on GOD?

Wisdom says don’t wait for things to be perfect!

Luke 7: ³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ ³⁵ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

============

Procrastination with GOD has been a problem of mine for a while. I think to myself “when the conditions are right then I will serve HIM.” Well, the conditions never seem right so I wind up going through a trial feeling miserable and at the same time not bearing any fruit.

• It takes practice to give so give when I am poor.
• It takes practice to love my enemies so love those who are upset and mad at me.
• It takes practice to serve GOD’s humans so serve even when I don’t have time to serve.

Life has many distractions. Jobs, lack of jobs, broken relationships, school, kids, and parents all bring their share of trials. It seems like there is no time to bow our knees to GOD and ask HIM, “what do YOU want LORD?” In fact it seems like the conditions to serve GOD are never there, or are they?

GOD loves when I serve others when I don’t feel like it and give to the needy especially when I am in need. HE loves when I love those whose love isn’t there and HE especially loves when I persevere in HIS ways in spite of my sins.

The Pharisees judged JESUS and never recognized HIM as being GOD. They complained about HIM because in their mind they had another “perfect” condition in mind. JESUS was their opportunity for perfection yet they passed thinking there would be a better time and a better person. Little did they know that “now is the time to act the way GOD wanted them to act.”

• Are you upset at “that” person?
• Are you waiting for conditions to be better in order to serve GOD?
• Can you act with love today the way GOD wants you to act or is your heart to hard?
• Will you give up your “stubborn will” today and yield to GOD’s ways?

I want money, power and fame!

Luke 4: ⁵ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

 ⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

============

Money, power and fame were powerful drivers in my life. One time I imagined myself reading some popular magazine that I was on the cover as I flew off into the sunset on my private jet. But as I started my “climb” to success I began my “descent” into darkness.

• To gain money I would work so hard I would not take time for my family.
• To gain power I would ban together with the unscrupulous until I no longer needed their cunning backbiting behavior.
• To gain fame I would talk about “my” accomplishments no matter what the conversation.

It seemed like I was becoming more and more fearless in the business world and less and less fearful of following GOD’s ways. In fact I was embarrassed to mention one simple name in business, namely “JESUS” who should be the main reason for all of my words.

• GOD wants me to have lots of money as long as I have the sincere heart of giving it away.
• GOD wants me to have extreme power so HE leaves me weak and dependent on HIM.
• GOD wants me to have fame for the more people who know me the more they can hear about JESUS. (Yeah I said HIS name!)

Worldly possessions are nothing if they are not coupled with GOD.  HE doesn’t mind if I have a big house or drive a nice car as long as I open my house to teaching and pick up the meek giving them a ride while treating them with respect.

My purpose has to be to “Serve GOD” with all my mind, body, soul, desires and possessions, then the devil cannot claim he gave me anything.

• What will you do for attention?
• Are you trying to get “noticed” but not in a GODLY way?
• Are you seeking power without GOD’s permission?
• Will you serve at least one person today for GOD?

Generosity is not conditional.

Luke 3: ¹¹ John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

============

As an executive I drove a company luxury car but when the position was cut from the company I found myself without a car. For the first time in years I had to think about survival rather than excess.

Without asking any questions my father in law gave me his van and told me to keep it as long as I needed to. Wow! “I wish I could do that” I thought to myself.

• Generosity is not a condition of how much excess I have.
• Generosity is not a condition of how well my investments are doing.
• Generosity is not a condition of a tax write off.

It actually takes practice to be generous. I cannot wait for conditions to be perfect in order to start being generous. In fact most times it takes sacrifice to be generous because needs tend to pop up at absolutely the “wrong” time.

• To be generous like GOD wants I have to give up worrying about me and think of others.
• To be generous like GOD wants I have to want to please HIM instead of always seeking pleasure.
• To be generous like GOD wants I have to remove my conditions of how someone looks, acts, smells, or how they treat me.

It is never going to be the right time to be generous BUT GOD has given me just the right amount or right thing to share with “that” person. GOD has been extremely generous with me so it won’t hurt for me to do the same. Since GOD owns everything HE wants me to be generous with HIS possessions.

• Are you waiting for more money or stuff to be generous?
• Are you angry because you don’t have more?
• Will GOD ask you how much stuff did you acquire or will HE ask how much did you share?
• Will you sacrifice just this once to help “that” person?

Living life with “purpose.”

Matthew 25: ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

============

My supervisor had given me the easiest assignment so I could finish my work in half the allotted time. After doing this a few times I saw an opportunity for me to jump in my car, go home, eat, watch TV and return unnoticed.

“I am going to fire you one day” were the surprising words I heard from my boss’s mouth. “How did he know” ran through my mind. I guess it was the smell of food and half done work that gave me away.

• When no one is looking, GOD is watching me.
• When I have something good and I use it for evil, I come out on bottom.
• When my thoughts are constantly on getting “over” on people rather than helping them, I come out on bottom.

My life should have meaning, purpose, goals, but when I squander my life on selfish gain I lose out on GOD’s wonderful blessings. GOD wants to use my life to do some amazing things and HE requires me to be excited about HIM and HIS SON.

• When I use my talents to tell someone about JESUS, the FATHER gets excited.
• When I use my time to focus on worshipping our LORD and SAVIOR I receive blessings beyond my wildest dreams.
• When I use my treasure to further GOD’s kingdom HE not only sustains me, but HE grows my wealth to share with others.

I am not trying to say I need to work my way into heaven, but when I am obedient to GOD’s leadership I have never been disappointed. Being faithful to GOD has truly been a blessing to me throughout the years.

• What talents has GOD given you?
• Are you using them to grow HIS kingdom or squandering them on selfish gain?
• Will you focus a little of your time on serving someone?

All things are possible!

Matthew 19: ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

 ²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

============

Who can be saved? “What am I being saved from” should be the question. I mean won’t I live a rich life then die and cease to exist? Many people have doubted the “afterlife” especially those who attend church.

• Ignoring the fact that GOD has a SON who died for “all” my sins shows I doubt the afterlife.
• Ignoring the fact that GOD is in control of today’s problems shows I doubt the afterlife.
• Ignoring the fact that GOD has appointed a “specific” day and method for my death shows I doubt the afterlife.
• Ignoring the fact that GOD cursed Satan, demons, the earth and the worldly possessions I crave shows I doubt the afterlife.

I fight, fear and worry over today’s life. In fact, I work hard to stockpile a great amount of wealth so that I can feel secure, thinking this will “save” me. GOD says no amount of wealth can save me so I may as well share the wealth HE has entrusted to me.

• My purpose in life is to have a relationship with GOD.
• My purpose in life is to have a relationship with people who believe in GOD.
• My purpose in life is to have a relationship with people who do not believe in GOD, serving them in hopes that someday they will believe in GOD!

Sometimes I assume people know what I stand for so please allow me to clarify.

• When I mention “GOD” I mean GOD the Father, GOD the SON and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT.
• When I mention “saved” I mean saved from eternal separation from GOD in Hell.
• When I mention “worldly stuff I’m chasing” I mean homes, cars, TV’s, cellphones, clothes, power, fame, fortune and anything else that takes my eyes off of the “afterlife.”

GOD did an amazing thing by saving me. As many sins as I have committed in my life, HE still looked at my life and died for me. Who can be saved? A person like me.

• Are you fighting for security here on earth?
• Do you believe in GOD’s kingdom?
• Are you still lusting over the world’s possessions or are you hoping others will believe in GOD?

I will do anything for money!

Matthew 6: ¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

============

“I’ll bet you two dollars you won’t climb on top of the school.” This was the bet that was placed in front of us. Notice I said “us.” We raced towards the school and began climbing. Fortunately my nerdish build prevented me from getting no more than two feet off the ground. 

The more daring guys climbed their way to the top of the two and a half story structure. When they climbed down, the principal was there to meet them. No one got the two dollars!

• My love of money will make me do some extreme things.
• My love of money will make me work extreme hours and leave my family on their own.
• My love of money will make me stab someone in the back and justify it in my mind by thinking “they deserve it.”
• My love of money will make me question the person who is trying to get close to me in hopes that they won’t want any of my money.

Many times I have thought what crazy thing I would do for money. I see the reality shows with people racing around the world or eating bugs or living on islands to gain a few dollars. Then I thought, “I wouldn’t do that” but would you work for thirty six hours straight? I did!

More money and trinkets has been a driver in my life when I got “more money and trinkets.” It seemed like the more I got the more I had to have. It also seemed like “the more I had” “the more I had to lose” and the harder I had to fight to keep what I had. What I had was “no peace.”

• It’s alright to have money but don’t store it up rather distribute it.
• It’s alright to have nice things but don’t cherish them because they will get broken, stolen or worn.
• It’s alright to have plans and goals to attain wealth but only on GOD’s plan and timing.

JESUS walked the earth without a dime. John the Baptist was declared the greatest human outside of JESUS and he didn’t have a dime either. GOD isn’t impressed with my earthly wealth because HE owns everything. HE is quite impressed when I share my wealth for the specific purpose of growing HIS kingdom.

• What’s in your heart?
• Are you sad or depressed because you don’t have enough money?
• Would you do “anything” for money?
• What amount of time do you spend getting money and how much time do you spend giving money?

Brother can you spare...

Matthew 5: ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

============ 

It seems like they were everywhere.  People had their hand out asking for stuff and I only had so much to go around.  I mean I wanted my new house, furniture, car, clothes and vacation. Can’t these people just pull themselves up by their “boot straps” and get it together? “All they have to do is…” Wasn’t my naïve young mind in a strange direction?

·         I don’t understand why there is an inequity of wealth, BUT GOD wants me to have compassion.
·         I don’t understand why it seems like the selfish get richer, BUT GOD wants me to be generous.
·         I don’t understand why someone who seems to be following GOD can be broke, BUT GOD wants me to share my wealth with them to show HIS generosity.

One way GOD wants to show humans HIS love is for me to be generous.  I’m not talking about selective generosity, I mean an overwhelming generosity that permeates every aspect of my life. In lean times HE wants me just as generous as times of plenty.

Generosity takes practice.  I can always find a reason not to give. “They aren’t organized” or “They don’t know what they want” or “they are not trying to help themselves” or “My bills are crawling all over me.” These are all reasons to zip up my wallet and hold back.

·         GOD gives me plenty so I can give plenty.
·         GOD loves when I am not selfish with the wealth HE has given me.
·         GOD desires that I spread the wealth to those in need to draw them closer to HIM.
 

My prayer for others has to be adjusted. Instead of praying for money to fall out of the sky for them and me, I pray the LORD meets our needs and draws us closer to HIM to be used as HIS instruments. A generous heart makes a great servant of GOD.

 
·         Are you questioning the plan of the person asking you for money?
·         Can you give to “that” person without complaining?
·         Is there someone you have in mind you can give to right now?

I’ll do anything for money!

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

   “Never will I leave you;
   never will I forsake you.”

============

Snow, snow, snow was the prediction last week and boy they were right for a change! Before the big snowstorm hit I threw some bread crumbs out on the patio for the birds from some old stale buns. I also threw some sunflower seeds on the step.

Then the big storm hit! Fifty mile per hour winds blew the tops off my barbeque grills that sat “on the patio.” When the storm was over I went to the front of the house and 3’ 6” drifts conquered our driveway. When I looked in the backyard drifts were the same except in one small area. The breadcrumbs were still there and so were the sunflower seeds! Birds gathered and ate!

• Loving money is truly a problem.
• Loving money causes me to worry when I don’t have it.
• Loving money makes me fight anyone to try to keep it.
• Loving money distracts me from giving.
• Loving money thwarts any efforts of being generous.

Generosity is not a factor of how much wealth I have rather I am either generous or not. I have seen many people with far less than I have be far more generous. Unfortunately my generosity has been guided by how much I see in the bank rather than what GOD sees in me.

• If I don’t have money then I can share my home.
• If I don’t have a home then I can share my food.
• If I don’t have food then I can share my joy.

GOD wants me to be content so I can cheerfully give to others. HIS church is comprised of people with needs and HE wants me to meet those needs without worry.  When I saw the birds feasting on breadcrumbs GOD had preserved I remembered that HE takes care of them, wouldn’t HE take care of me that much more?

Being content takes practice. Bills piled high and income low doesn’t always put me in the place where the words “be content” add comfort to my worries. BUT GOD does mean “be content” during tough times.

• Be content during times of plenty.
• Be content during very lean times.
• Be content during peaceful situations.
• Be content during trials.

Being content helps me keep the right perspective which is focused on GOD’s wealth, not mine!

• Are you content with your current situation?
• What are you worried about?
• Can you release your worries and focus on GOD’s strength?
• Do you have joy in your heart no matter what the circumstance?

Give the gift of a “new” you this year.

2 Timothy 3: ¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

============

“Wow, what a harsh list” I thought to myself as I read this scripture in the middle of the night.  What in the world am I going to write about that could possibly be encouraging about this scripture? This particular scripture was on my plan and there was no way around it.

When I pondered over it, I saw it wasn’t so bad. In fact I saw a wonderful Christmas list I could give my family and neighbors.

Here are the top twenty (20) gifts I could give this year:

1.    Do not be a lover of myself rather love my family and neighbors.

2.    Do not love money instead I can be content with GOD’s blessings.

3.    Do not be boastful rather when GOD blesses me with plenty I should remain humble.

4.    Do not be proud instead I can allow people to serve me and admit when I am down.

5.    Do not be abusive rather include my family in decisions leveraging their strengths.

6.    Do not disobey my parents instead listen to their wisdom for they have been where I am going.

7.    Do not be ungrateful rather be thankful for all the blessings GOD has given me.

8.    Do not be unholy instead focus on GOD’s love and remain pure to HIS word.

9.    Do not be without love rather love those who can’t or won’t understand my love.

10.  Do not be unforgiving instead I should be the quickest to forgive and ready to do it again.

11.  Do not be slanderous rather hold my harsh tongue when I’m ready to ridicule someone else.

12.  Do not be without self-control instead control my thoughts, eyes, and obsessions.

13.  Do not be brutal rather be gentle with the souls GOD has placed in my care.

14.  Do not be evil instead be a “lover of good.”

15.  Do not be treacherous rather remain positive and focused on GOD’s ways.

16.  Do not be rash instead remain calm and patient especially when things go wrong.

17.  Do not be conceited rather think humbly of myself and my capabilities.

18.  Do not be a lover of pleasure rather than a lover of GOD.

19.  Do not have a form of godliness instead worship GOD the way HE wants to be worshiped.

20.  Do not deny GOD’s power instead throw all my doubts away and remain true to the faith.

Have a very merry Christmas being a new you!

I wanna be rich!

1 Timothy 6: ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ 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.

============

“Do you have any stock tips for me?” I asked a very wealthy man. “Not really” he replied “they bounce around a lot, but I did make a boat load on ‘x’ stock last year." I quickly jumped on my computer and began my new get rich quick plan of “day trading.”

Months after the purchase of my penny stock, I received a letter from the SEC stating the company was no longer in business and my money was gone!

Money itself is not evil.

• The “love” of money causes me to do strange things.
• The “love” of money makes me stay in a job that’s bad for my health.
• The “love” of money grows my greed and shrinks my giving.
• The “love” of money increases my envy, raises my insecurity and inflates my ego.
• The “love” of money makes me forget I need GOD.

There is nothing wrong with having money and there certainly is not a problem with having a lot of it, BUT GOD wants me to keep my wealth in perspective.

• GOD wants me to share my wealth so that I would not forget HIM.
• HE always wants me to depend on HIS love, not my wealth or security.
• GOD wants to supply my needs wealth tends to feed my lusts.
• HE does not mind me being wealthy as long as HE is first in my mind, body and soul.

In my wealth, I found myself less eager to pray and more eager for the finer things on life. When people approached me for assistance, I would judge their motive and methods. “Why are they in this position?” I would ask myself in a judgmental tone. In reality, I was just thinking of reasons to keep my wealth.

Fear ensues when I worry about money because I depend on “it” rather than GOD. Now I know HE wants me to depend on HIM rich or poor.

• Are you worried about money?
• Do you depend on money more than GOD?
• Do you think or talk about money more than discussing what GOD has done for you?
• Are you trying to be “good” for a short period of time in hopes to manipulate GOD into making you rich?

The purpose of money.

2 Corinthians 9: 10Now 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. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 

=================

Cellophane wrappers glistened the aisle and a musky odor touched my nose. As we purchased a comic book for my son, the salesman told me that a mint condition “Superman” comic episode 1 was worth thousands.

 

To my dismay I remembered having this comic book and I also remember it being thrown in a bin of toys, junk and trash in my attempt to “clean” the basement. Mine was worthless because I didn’t care about it and didn’t know its value.

• Money and trinkets are only temporary.
• Having money, then having it taken away brings deep sadness when I have the wrong focus.
• Money is only valuable if the lifestyle that it brings is valuable to me.
• Money can bring status amongst humans but not with GOD.

It’s amazing how much of GOD’s resources I have wasted over the years. As I said before, I wasn’t too much of a giver because I considered myself poor. When I had little, I gave little. I did not tell people about GOD’s SON and I felt GOD needed to give to me first before I gave to other people.

• Blessings can come from GOD and from Satan.
• Just because a criminal or godless soul is wealthy doesn’t mean their wealth is a blessing from GOD.
• Jealousy of wealthy godless people is like me saying I want to be blessed in the wrong way rather than accepting GOD's current plan.

Abundance of trinkets that come from GOD is reserved for a few people here on earth. GOD knows when a person is truly generous and will bless them with wealth because that kind of person doesn’t let wealth go to their head. They know the problems that come with the wealth and they still give to people without judging them. But their true focus is telling people about GOD's SON.

• Money from GOD is meant for me to distribute to GOD’s people.
• It’s alright for me to have nice things as long as I have served GOD’s people first.
• My bragging should be contained to GOD’s wealth, not mine.
• When I have little, I still should be generous.

A friend and I just spoke about this topic yesterday and I am amazed that it’s here again. GOD wants me to be earthly “and” eternally wealthy but it starts with "eternity" and that should be my focus.

• Are you sad because you can’t buy the latest thing?
• Are your bills greater than your income?
• Can you still be generous in spite of your situation?
• Do you place money higher than GOD?
• Can you give just a little to someone today?