Management 1

Deuteronomy 14:22

Our current Bible study is examining how to manage money and how to deal with money in Biblical ways. At the outset of the study the author points out that there are more than 2,000 verses in the Bible that talk about money. One of the earliest comments on money is this one in Deuteronomy.

A fairly simple statement, it has deeper meanings. What is the command? What is the purpose?

If we will be successful in life we will probably do much better if we can learn to manage our money. That involves deciding how much goes to what and when it gets paid. Deuteronomy 14:22 makes it clear that we should give to God first.

Most people are familiar with the expression “I have too much month left at the end of the money” when it comes to finances. I imagine that many people also take the approach that they will give to the church or any other charity IF they have any money left over. However, this is not supposed to be our attitude.

An emphasis on offering the tithe to God should not be the church being greedy, wanting its slice of the pie before any money gets spent. The emphasis from God is that the tithe – ten percent – is supposed to honor God.

The tithe is to be taken out first, before you begin paying other bills and spending money on other needs. By setting aside this tenth of your belongings, or income, you are offering praise and respect to God. You are also being reminded that all things come from God. It all belongs to Him, He just wants ten percent back as an expression of gratitude.

Honoring God should not be an afterthought. Your relationship and praise of God should not be something that you do if you have time for it. It should be foremost in your heart and mind. God should be foremost in your life.

I know from experience that setting aside the first ten percent before beginning to deal with creditors, groceries, car payments and incidental costs can be a frightening thing. But I also know from experience that God provides for our needs and we make it through every week.

DAILY CHALLENGE: If you do not already tithe – giving ten percent of your income – you are challenged to begin doing that now. On payday set aside the cash or write the check first, before spending any money elsewhere. God has challenged us in Malachi 3:10 to test His abilities. I challenge you to let God prove His ability to provide for you.

Love One Another 2

Romans 12:9-13

When I think about my friends, those people I get along with the best, I recognize a very similar behavior pattern in them all. They all value me and are willing to put me above themselves in their attitudes. They worry about my comfort when I visit; they are interested in my life when we talk.

This sounds so self-centered for me, but what we have are people who are showing genuine love and I happen to be one of those people fortunate enough to receive it. I hope they see the same attitudes in me.

In his letter to the Romans Paul gives instruction on expressing love to one another. What are all the attributes of loving one another? Verse 11 seems to address an attitude. What should our attitude be?

If we are going to claim to be Christians and part of the body of Christ, then we need to be able to love one another. And that affection we have must be real. It cannot be contrived, false, or insincere. As Paul says, “love must be sincere.”

That is the beginning. Now what? How do we express sincere love?

We do it by being devoted to one another, committed to supporting each other – such as accepting, teaching, forgiving one another. We do it by honoring one another, by not lording ourselves over the other and being willing to be teachable. We can share with each other and be hospitable, being willing to have fellowship with one another.

And we need to keep a Christian attitude. We should hate what is evil and focus on what is good. We should always have that spiritual fervor, that energy to share God’s love with others. We should serve the Lord with hope, patience and faithfulness, bringing joy to one another through the love we share.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Using these verse as a checklist, how many of these attributes and attitudes do you possess? How can you develop those you lack?

By Faith 4

1 Peter 2:9-12

The “kid’s table” holds such a negative stigma with young people. It was always so frustrating to be too young to eat at the same table with the adults during holiday meals. And it was a big deal to finally be promoted to the adult table once I was old enough.

The adult table was where all the interesting conversations were. The adult table didn’t have spills or an annoying cousin who ate like a pig. It was an honor to be moved up.

We can take a similar view of our spiritual lives. What does Peter say about the faithful believers? What should these faithful people do? What is the before and after contrast that is made? How does Peter describe the faithful in verse 11? What should the faithful do?

Those without faith can be viewed like children at the kids table, wallowing in the messes of life. But those with faith, those who are true believers and followers of Jesus Christ are promoted to a higher calling. The faithful are a holy nation, a chosen people, a royal priesthood. And as such we are called to proclaim the good news of Christ. We are called to demonstrate our faith and live as holy examples to others.

Those who accept the good news of Jesus are recipients of his grace and mercy, transformed from a group that is not a people into the people of God. Peter’s comment that the faithful believers are aliens to this world harkens back to the passage in Hebrews 11 (Hebrews 11:13). Those faithful and obedient to God are not of this world, the world of tangible, earthly desires. Instead they are members of the heavenly kingdom, and as citizens of the kingdom of God should resist the temptations that this life offers – temptations to sin, to please the self, to be self-centered.

Living a life devoted to the teachings of Christ will allow you to serve as an example and model to others. Though you may face criticism and mockery, in truth your good work and holy living will be a shining beacon that lights the way and gives glory to God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What does it mean to you to be part of a chosen people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood?