'...The Lord...gives you the ability to produce wealth...' Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV
One more before we move back to our Journey through Ephesians. If you didn't get our booklet on why we give yesterday, just ask Amy and she'll put one together for you. It's a wonderful tool to help on you're journey in giving God's way through Stewardship.
This Sunday 1.26 Todd Kaplan from Ignite Youth Mentoring will be with us as we kick off our Mission Conference this Sunday. I'm looking forward to making our missions pledges for the coming year as we support missions at home and around the world.
I hope you will take to heart the message that God takes care of His people; God holds back '...no good from those who do what is right.' (Psalms 84:11 NLT) But it's important to acknowledge Him as the source of all your blessings. And on this one, we all fall short! Let's face it, more isn't always better. In fact, your dependence on God lessens as your dependence on things increases. That's why Levitical Law discouraged empire-building. In the Old Testament, loans to the poor were to be interest-free (Exodus 22:25); outstanding debts cancelled every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:1-2); slaves freed and given the means to start over (Deuteronomy 15:12-14); repossessed land redeemed by family (Leviticus 25:25); and property that was sold, or lost and not redeemed, returned to its original owner (Leviticus 25:14-17). Why? Because God wanted His people to depend on Him, not possessions. So He cautioned them, 'When...all you have is multiplied...You may say...My power and...strength...have produced this...remember the Lord...gives you the ability to produce wealth...' (Deuteronomy 8:13-18 NIV) God's principles haven't changed. Andy Stanley points out that a list of do's and don'ts is like having a man give you directions. If he hands you a map, you focus on it, but when you're following the man you focus on him. The Bible doesn't say that God is a rewarder of those diligently seeking 'things'. No - it says, '...He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.'(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) Bottom line: if you're depending on anything but God, you'll always struggle. 'Don't worry about these things...your heavenly Father already knows...and...will give you everything you need.' (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT) You are loved!
This Sunday 1.26 Todd Kaplan from Ignite Youth Mentoring will be with us as we kick off our Mission Conference this Sunday. I'm looking forward to making our missions pledges for the coming year as we support missions at home and around the world.
I hope you will take to heart the message that God takes care of His people; God holds back '...no good from those who do what is right.' (Psalms 84:11 NLT) But it's important to acknowledge Him as the source of all your blessings. And on this one, we all fall short! Let's face it, more isn't always better. In fact, your dependence on God lessens as your dependence on things increases. That's why Levitical Law discouraged empire-building. In the Old Testament, loans to the poor were to be interest-free (Exodus 22:25); outstanding debts cancelled every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:1-2); slaves freed and given the means to start over (Deuteronomy 15:12-14); repossessed land redeemed by family (Leviticus 25:25); and property that was sold, or lost and not redeemed, returned to its original owner (Leviticus 25:14-17). Why? Because God wanted His people to depend on Him, not possessions. So He cautioned them, 'When...all you have is multiplied...You may say...My power and...strength...have produced this...remember the Lord...gives you the ability to produce wealth...' (Deuteronomy 8:13-18 NIV) God's principles haven't changed. Andy Stanley points out that a list of do's and don'ts is like having a man give you directions. If he hands you a map, you focus on it, but when you're following the man you focus on him. The Bible doesn't say that God is a rewarder of those diligently seeking 'things'. No - it says, '...He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.'(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) Bottom line: if you're depending on anything but God, you'll always struggle. 'Don't worry about these things...your heavenly Father already knows...and...will give you everything you need.' (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT) You are loved!
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