October 12, 2023Last weekend, Karen and I visited our daughter, Candace, her husband, Richie, and their two daughters. It was a great encouragement to see them and to hear Richie preach the Word of God from 1 Samuel 8:1 – 11:15. You can watch or listen to his message at: https://www.christproclamation.org/sermons/sermon/2023-10-08/desire-for-an-unworthy-king
For the past few months we have had the privilege of having the Shaffer family stay with us, following a fire which destroyed the house in which they lived. In talking with them, we learned that circumstances can change very quickly. Please pray for them as they transition to a house south of Montreal.
In his devotional book entitled “God Is With You Every Day,” Max Lucado shares precious truths from the Bible. In the reading for today entitled “A Short-Term Condition,” he writes:
“Perhaps you need the reminder that I need? It can all come crashing down. In a moment. In a fire. In an economic free fall. In a job crisis. Don’t put your trust in stuff.
Paul told Timothy, ‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment’ (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV).
The ‘rich in this … world.’ That is you. That is me. If you have enough education to read this page, enough resources to own this book, you likely qualify as a prosperous person. And that is okay. Prosperity is a common consequence of faithfulness (Proverbs 22:4). Paul didn’t tell the rich to feel guilty about being rich; he just urged caution.
Nothing breeds failure like success. Money is just a short-term condition. The abundance or lack of money will only be felt for one life … so don’t get tangled up in it.”
May each of us determine to entrust all that we have to the Lord, asking Him to help us share the Good News that Christ Jesus came to Earth to save sinners.
Scripture for the weekend: “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 (NASB)
By His grace,
Steve