Faithfully Yours Forever

Too often we can fall into the trap of putting off things that we know should be done.  Personally, I find it better to be prepared for day to day living than it is to deal with a crisis moment.  If I am prepared, I figure I am more able to adjust to what needs to be done if a crisis occurs.  Preparing for eternal life is much more critical than preparing for our everyday lives.  Make the decisions that need to be made now and then rest assured.  May we also prepare the best we can for everyday life and be watchful for changing circumstances that might impact us in this life or beyond.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)

Scripture tells us that the love of money is the source of many kinds of evil.  As we live life, many of us figure that out.  We still, however often find it difficult to not focus on money.  What we do often revolves around if we have money to do something or not.  God knows we use money to provide for our daily needs, but he warns us not to let it control our actions.  We are not to become slaves to acquiring money.  If we become too dependent upon the pursuit or use of money, the Lord has a way of showing us that we need to realign our priorities and see what is truly of value in this life…and beyond.  May you consider the following passages of Scripture and adjust your priorities, if necessary.

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. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:32-34 (NIV)

Treasures in Heaven
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.

 ²⁴ “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.
Matthew 6:19-21, 24 (NIV)

¹⁸ But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
¹⁹ to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:18-22 (NIV)