Curry Favor With Humans Or God?
Sunday, September 21
Luke 16:1-13
“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” (v. 13, NIV).
Who is your allegiance to? A manger in this passage was in trouble. His mismanagement of his master’s goods had been found out. So he came up with a scheme that would make him look good in the eyes of those who owed the master money. When his master found out, he commended him. In the last verse Jesus summarizes this parable: you can serve God or money, not both.
Heavenly Father, help me to focus on you and your kingdom. Help me to ignore the world’s advice and instead listen to your Spirit for guidance. Amen.
Pray And Intercede For All
Monday, September 22
1 Timothy 2:1-7
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (vv. 1-2, NIV).
Do you pray for those in power over you? I usually do not do that. I pray for my family, friends, those I minister to in the hospital as a chaplain. But I tend to forget those over me, whether that be a boss or the president.
Paul urges Timothy to pray for those over him so we may live peaceful lives. Paul reminds us that Christ is the mediator between God and us, who gave himself as the ransom for each of us. Paul is sharing this message with the Gentiles, which includes you and me.
Heavenly Father, help me to pray for those over me—from my boss to the president. Guide those in power to make just and right decisions. Amen.
Physically Fit And Godly Training
Tuesday, September 23
1 Timothy 4:7-10
Paul points out in this passage that it is important to be physically fit. Implied in this verse is that if we are physically fit, we a better able to carry out the great commission.
Yet our greater emphasis is on acquiring godliness. Verse 7 tells us to avoid “profane and foolish tales” (NRSVUE), and verse 8 tells us that godliness is valuable for all things. These verses guide us to verse 9 that informs us that verses 7 and 8 are true and we need to train ourselves to be godly. Our hope is in Christ alone, the Savior of all people.
Heavenly Father, help me to focus on both my physical and spiritual fitness, recognizing that both are important to help me to carry out your will for my life. Help me to grow in godliness. Amen.
God, Not Riches
Wednesday, September 24
Luke 18:18-30
The ruler had done everything right—except the one thing that mattered, to sell all he had, give the money to the poor, and follow Jesus. But he became very sad and could not do this one thing because he was very wealthy. He was unwilling to part with his money even though his riches were transient.
Jesus tells us it is difficult to give up our wealth even though there will be blessings in this world and in heaven. How do we focus on what is eternal as opposed to our stuff? I like Michael Card’s take on this concept in his song “Things We Leave Behind”: “Every heart needs to be set free / from possessions that hold it so tight…. / With Jesus, our only possession / and giving becomes our delight / and we can’t imagine the freedom we find / from the things we leave behind.”
Father, help me to focus on what is eternal, not what is worldly and temporary. Help me to focus always on you, following as you lead me. Amen.
Contentment From Riches? No! Contentment With God? Yes!
Thursday, September 25
1 Timothy 6:6-11
We bring nothing into this world and will take nothing with us when we die. Let us be content with the basics we need for living and serving God—food and clothing. Riches are a trap that leads to destruction and ruin. Paul summarizes his teaching on the pursuit of money: some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (v. 10).
Why torture ourselves pursuing something that will cause much pain and anguish? Let us be content with what we have. Verse 6 informs us that godliness with contentment is great gain.
Father, help me to be content with what I have, to not pursue wealth, to follow you and the freedom you bring. Amen.
Flee And Pursue Righteousness
Friday, September 26
1 Timothy 6:12-19
We have explored the relationship between faith and money this week. Paul and Luke have highlighted that the pursuit of money can become an obsession, an all-consuming passion that will hinder our relationship with God and lead us down the wrong path—away from God, toward destruction and ruin.
Paul charges Timothy in these last verses to flee from the love of money and to pursue godliness and righteousness. Let us cling to the eternal life we are called to live for God. Let us hold fast to the commitment we made to God until Christ reappears.
Father, help me to cling to the commitment I made to you. Help me to fight the good fight! To pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love and endurance and gentleness. To hold onto eternal life that will be my reward. Amen.
Good Or Evil?
Saturday, September 27
Psalm 52
In this psalm, David contrasts a believer with a nonbeliever. The nonbeliever boasts of evil; the believer boasts of his trust in God. The nonbeliever practices deceit; the believer praises God. The nonbeliever speaks lies and harmful words; the believer puts his hope in God. God will bring the nonbeliever down and the righteous will laugh at him.
“I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever because of what you have done. In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good” (vv. 8-9, NRSVUE).
Father, help me to keep my focus and faith in you. Help me to be a green olive tree in your house. Your name is good. Amen.
