Monday's Blessing
1 Timothy 6:10
 
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

The above text is a common found misconception in the Bible depicting the concern of money.  Many people firmly believe that the Bible teaches us that money is explicitly the root of all evil.  This would mean that there is something inherently terrible about owning wealth in itself, but this is further from the truth.  What is actually stated here is that LOVE of money is the root, or source of all kinds of evil.

There is a big difference here.  Let's be honest, wealth can be a good thing.  If used correctly it can do wonderful things.  First of all it drives the economy, provides services, education, health, and rights for each of us.  But, for some, it can be a disastrous thing.  It can ruin them.  These types of individuals usually have a windfall and become enthralled with its effects, often hoarding it, making excuses as to why they can't help others.  They begin thinking, "This money was put here for me only; I must keep it secure.  Others will probably want it, and I may run out if I don't."  They cloud their once solid beliefs with idiotic innuendoes that push them further away from those that love them.  They often clan together hoping to find others that share their same vision and will condone their behavior.  The sad part being, the further they isolate themselves, the more distance accumulates that makes it difficult to attain positive energy- that sense of peace that alludes each of them.  This leaves them on a perpetual hike looking for assurance that can never be found.  I'm certain each of us can recollect a family member or friend with such an issue. 

In this Biblical verse, Paul counsels Timothy that contentment with godliness will protect him from the love of money.  He states that love of money "plunges men into ruin and destruction."  A little later in the passage, Paul tells Timothy to teach people how to use their resources to "do good, be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share with God's people."

We need to have that exact attitude to prosper.  That is to be successful, create wealth, and use our good fortune to spread goodness and prosperity.  Bottom line, love people and use money for good.

Dear Father,
Open my heart to loving you through your words and through your actions.
May I use it to spread your Word.  I pray you strengthen me in
the finance department so that I can be of aide to others.
Amen.

Monday's Blessing
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
 
"Remember this:  Whoever shows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Generosity is one quality we all need to possess.  As you can see from today's verse, generosity breeds untold gifts.  Paul points out that it is the person who is generous who "reaps generously."  That means your "return on investment," when you give generously, is both spiritual and material.  Material meaning you will benefit financially in return.  Jesus once said that generosity is like a light filling your inner being.  That comes from that Bible verse that states "it is more blessed to give then receive."  The best part being we don't even have to ask when we do!

When we give, God has ways of directly blessing us by making our resources go further.  In the Bible, Deuteronomy 29:5, the children of Israel were leaving Egypt for the Promised Land.  It took them 40 years to finally get to his promised oasis.  During this time, God made sure their clothing did not wear out, nor did the shoes on their feet.  God has the ability to make things go a long way by stretching what we already have or giving us something unexpected. 

I can remember at one point during my first year in Florida being concerned I would not have the financial resources to get through the summer without a job.  I had just lost work due to a company layoff. We were all living together, six of us in a small two bedroom bungalow.  Each of us was new to the area with little financial means.  My monetary means was dilapidated due to the recent employment loss.  It was my turn to buy food for the week.  What was left in my checking account wouldn't make a dinner for everyone each day of the following week.  Nonetheless, I drove to the store and found such discounted items that I had just enough to make six meals for everyone for the week!  Furthermore, on the seventh day, several of the family members went out crabbing and came home with such a windfall that the main fare that evening was a stockpile of crabs and a side order of crab spaghetti sauce that was incredible.  To top things off, I received $3,000 dollar check for a settlement I had no idea I was a part of the following week.  Apparently, a job I applied for earlier was stereotyping by not hiring woman.  Someone filed a law suit and everyone that applied that year got a piece of the pie.  Just enough to get me through the summer!

When we decide to give and look for ways to bless others, we often see the abundant harvest in our own lives.  That is due to the sense of giving.  The more we give, the more we get.  Actually we are doubly blessed when we do!

Father, you bless us with generosity.
Create that spirit in me.  Help me not to
be a reluctant giver.  Allow me to be
cheerful in my own giving.  Help me to give
of my own resources and myself.  Amen.

Monday's Blessing
John 8:31-32

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth wiill set you free."

Are you free?  This is one important question each of us needs to ask ourselves.  Sure, as Americans we are free considering what the rest of the world goes through.  We take comfort in that notion each time we turn on the TV and see global news.  But, what about personally?  We can live in a free country, yet still not have freedom in our lives.  Take a moment and consider your present chains.  Is there something or someone in your life that feels like one big weight making your attempts of flight impossible?  Maybe it's a spouse that feels like an albatross around your neck most days.  It could be a child who needs more attention than your others.  What about your house that mandates costly repairs right after you paid that last maintenance bill?  Or is it that paycheck that seems to be gone the moment it hits your bank account?

In today's verse, Jesus speaks about a different kind of freedom.  This freedom is the freedom of the heart.  This type of freedom can only be felt internally because it must become part of who we are.

This inner freedom speaks of the Spirit.  It is related to how the Word of God is being integrated into our lives each day.  Before Jesus talks of the importance of being free, he says, "If you hold to my teaching."  This means if you abide by the word. 

The only way you can abide by the word is to delve into the Bible daily.  Abiding requires regularly reading time and to think about whom Jesus is and what he taught.  I know I sound like a broken record some Mondays, but how else can you absorb the word if you don't regularly take part in it?  Would you rely on your best friend's synopsis of a book you were dying to read?  Of course not!  You'd run right out to buy that book or order it from the library. Then why do we depend on other ways to understand God's teachings before we read his book? 

The four Gospels are a good way to start.  I know the Bible can be long and a bit intimidating for many.  So start on some common threads that bounded our foundations of faith.  The Gospels are familiar stories we can make associations from.  Read them again, and you will be able to draw more information that will affect your life the moment you pick up that book.  Sometimes it helps to memorize certain words Jesus spoke such as, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Mark up that Bible!  It is not a library book; it is a book of your journey of faith.  Put notes by certain Biblical verses that touch your heart.  Make it a road map of your life so that in future years, when you read it again, it may touch you in a different way and you can reflect on old territory.

Finally meditate on them, feel Jesus speaking to your heart allowing you that freedom from everything.  Most importantly, abiding implies that we integrate truth into our lives.  The outcome of abiding and integrating truth is TRUE INNER FREEDOM!

Father, thank you for leaving us a book of your own words.
Thank you for the life and teachings of Jesus.
Help me to read your word each day.
Send me the Spirit to remind me.
I want to know the truth that will set me free.  Amen

Monday's Blessing
Job 38: 1-2,4
 
"Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words witthout knowledge?  Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?  Tell me, if you understand."

There are times when life just plain sucks.  It seems on these days things come in huge tsunami waves waiting to threaten our very existence.  No matter where you turn there is yet another storm forcing you to veer off smooth waters into the tempest. 

Just last week when my classroom was beginning to feel the effects of becoming a well-oiled machine, I was blessed with four new at-risk students waiting on redemption for whatever past behaviors prohibited them from doing so.  I began to resort to behavioral modifications I left happily at the onset of the year thinking they won't be needed any longer.  The dynamics of my classroom had changed in only a few short hours, and I was left speechless as I recounted trying to gain steady footage once more.  Later on that week, my car frequently stalled requesting more maintenance on an unpaid bill that must be compensated before future repairs can be made.  Furthermore, it is the only vehicle on the premises!  To REALLY top things off, at the end of the week, my vitamin manufacture no longer offers a much needed personal supplement.  It has been on backorder for over a month now.   Sadly, I am unable to order this product and have just run out.  I have extreme sensitivities to foods, supplements, and medicines so getting adjusted to a new regime can take weeks of pain and anguish.

So, at this point in time, I can completely understand what Job was trying to say to God in that Bible verse.  Jobs question of "Why?" rose from his loss of everything.  He lost is wealth, health, and family.  All that was ever blessed in his life was wiped out by disaster.  He had no clue that another level of reality, cosmic dynamics were at work.  All he could comprehend was that he had gone from a position of great blessings and privilege to sitting in an ashen heap grieving the loss of his children.  This prompted his cry to God, "Why me, God?"

God's response was quick.  He wanted Job to know he didn't have the ability to comprehend either the question he asked or the answer he was hoping for.  Later on in the conversation Job admitted, "I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."  That answer to Job's question of "Why?" is sometimes, "I don't know."  Hence, we must trust God. What else do we have?  Worry?  Contempt?  Where will that get us if we continue down that path?

But there are times you will question "Why me?"  There is nothing wrong with asking that.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to know why.  Just realize sometimes God will show you the answer, and sometimes the answer may be "not yet."  But with trust, we can assume God will guide us out of that pain.

Father, in this crazy world things happen
that are not always understood.
I am grateful when you help me understand
why.  Give me the ability to trust in you when
the answer is not as clear.  Amen.