Underemployed

Underemployed

Revelation 6: ⁵ Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”

 

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Getting in my car, I noticed the seat would no longer stay upright. Having no money to spend on this, I figured out a solution. I grabbed a block of wood and propped up the seat. “There! Good as new!”

 

• My wages were not enough to cover the expense of the repair.
• My wages were only enough to pay for rent and gas to get me back to work.
• My wages were not enough for any luxury, so I ate wisely.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the third living creature say “Come!” after the third seal of Satan’s sentence scroll was opened. A spirit of greed was unleashed. Then John heard a voice from among the four living creatures. People would work hard and barely have enough money to eat.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will dismantle Satan’s temporary kingdom by allowing greedy people to raise prices.
• Greed will cause painful desires on the poor to want something better.
• GOD is in control of what gets damaged and what does not.

 

Greed is a silent killer. I mean, the world praises the rich and powerful and says “too bad” to the poor and powerless. As greed escalates, new words emerge that make people desire a piece of heaven on earth and justify indulgences. BUT GOD has all the wealth.

 

JESUS looked at humanity and cared enough to die for it. HE saw a price that no one could pay but HIM. Life itself was at stake. HE gave HIS life so you and I would not have to. HE gave up everything for us. But now HE is the most wealthy being and wants to share HIS love with us.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer convey unfairness?
• Does it seem like the rich and powerful get richer and the poor stay poor?
• Will you place your hope in JESUS who is methodically taking down Satan’s kingdom?

Lacking Nothing

Lacking Nothing

James 1: ⁴ Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. 

 

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After the conference this past weekend, someone from another country asked for help. I knew my meager funds would never be enough so I started thinking of solutions. His current solution to local hunger is to teach farming. I sent videos on hydroponic farming. His response was , “that’s for the middle class.” I found videos on farming using discarded plastic bottles. His response “That’s for the middle class.”

 

• I lack wisdom.
• I do not know how to address this.
• The problem is far greater than any of my current solutions.

 

James addressed a scared scattered group of people who believed in JESUS and were persecuted for it. The first solution was to run and hide from those who oppressed people with religious persecution. He knew GOD was the only solution.

 

My Observations:

• Extreme problems require GOD to intervene.
• It is amazing that I can ask GOD to address an extreme problem and HE is willing to help.
• GOD will provide the wisdom it will take to address the need.

 

Feeling helpless is not an option for many people. I mean, those who are facing major issues that they think need a financial solution cannot afford to fall into despair. A solution is needed. But what?

 

GOD says “I AM the solution.” I believe that James said “endure” , not for the poor to just remain poor, but for those sent to help to “endure” until there is a solution. GOD will provide the right people at the right time. HIS love endures forever. I am glad I can ask GOD for wisdom and HE is gracious and generous to provide it!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer talk about “falling?”
• Have you ever tried to do something and it seemed hopeless to the point where you felt like giving up?
• Will you ask for wisdom to address the overwhelming situation so GOD will get the glory and so eyes and hearts will be open to accept JESUS today?

Give Differently

Luke 20: ²⁰ Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ So the spies questioned him: ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’

²³ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴ ‘Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?’

‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.

²⁵ He said to them, ‘Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’

²⁶ They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

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Worrying about money had become a regular pastime of mine. I mean no matter how much I made it seemed to be just short of what I “needed.” With the mountain of debt growing higher and higher I found myself unable to give  like I truly wanted to.

• Many times I have felt “stuck.”
• Many times I have felt like I was between a rock and a hard place.
• Many times I have felt the pinch of making it from check to check, hoping nothing will go wrong.

Spies were sent to trick JESUS. They asked HIM about taxes, hoping to trip HIM up. JESUS saw through their “duplicity” and said to them “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to GOD what is GOD’s.” This made me think. What is GOD’s stuff?

• GOD says to me “I own everything.”
• GOD says to me “MY desire from you is to bear fruit.”
• GOD says to me “Give ME your family, your friends, your neighbors and your coworkers.”

What currency does GOD use? The being who owns everything decided to become a human so HE could be blamed for all of my sins. This was extremely “costly.” My debt to GOD is based on the value of life. No percentage or amount can be placed on what HE has done for me.

So what can I give when I don’t have anything? GOD wants me to give my love to those who hate me. GOD wants me to pray positively for those who speak negatively about me. GOD wants me to spend time with those who hurt and are in need. My fruit is the people I bring to GOD.

• Do you feel poor?
• Are you being asked to give more money when you don’t have any?
• Can you give your thoughts and prayers to those around you?
• Will you turn your complaining heart to that of love for others?