TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: James 3:13-18
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
How did Satan fall? Scripture doesn't tell us the story in full, but it does give us a basic outline, as woven into a prophecy of Isaiah against the king of Babylon. Satan was at one time a powerful angel, a “morning star” in heaven. But he dared to think that he deserved to sit on God's throne, that he was equal to or even higher than the Almighty. Such a belief, entirely opposite to the truth, doomed him and he was “cast down to the earth . . . brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.” His pride made him God's enemy, and that foolishness sealed his fate (Isaiah 14).

Pride is foolish, while humility is wise—that's what James tells us in today's reading. Humility flows from wisdom, and wisdom includes submissiveness (vv. 13, 17). Wisdom is much more than “head knowledge”: It's enmeshed in a “web of virtues” like those we've encountered in other Scripture passages already. It's shown in action, in the quality of life as chosen and done daily— these are the “deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Merely human wisdom is the complete opposite (vv. 14-16). Envy and selfish ambition lie at the core of such “wisdom.” Pride seeks self-advancement and its own glory as the top priority of daily life. Where do these attitudes come from? Both come from Satan, who dared to challenge God, and from the world, that would rather ignore Him. The results of disorder and all kinds of evil are inevitable.

The outcomes of godly wisdom include purity, gentleness, justice, and mercy (vv. 17-18). In terms of daily life, wisdom is a series of moment-by-moment decisions to choose love for God and one's neighbor over love of self. Purity, gentleness, justice, and mercy don't “just happen,” but they do flow naturally forth as “deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Over the last few days, we've pointed out that the virtue of humility exists not in isolation but interconnects and interacts with many other godly qualities. Today, try making an analytic or artistic representation of this “web of virtue.” By “analytic” we mean some kind of chart or diagram showing the relationships between humility and other virtues. By “artistic” we mean a more creative depiction, for example, using calligraphy or clip art to show the relationships in a different light.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a courageous pastor in the days of Nazi Germany. Though the Nazis originally claimed that they wanted to renew Germany morally and spiritually, Bonhoeffer saw through their rhetoric and spoke out against what was happening. When his connection to a Hitler assassination attempt was discovered, the 39-year-old Bonhoeffer was arrested and executed at the Flossenburg concentration camp on April 9, 1945. His writings, including The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together, continue to influence and inspire many believers today.

Like Bonhoeffer, Paul suffered greatly in Christ's service. One unusual example is a “thorn in the flesh” that God gave him. We've already talked about Paul as a model of humility (Jan. 13), and though this humility was cultivated through spiritual disciplines, there's more to the story. It was also cultivated through a painful af- fliction. Some scholars have suggested that Paul had eye problems; one novelist speculated that he had chronic back pain.

We don't know exactly what it was, but we do know the purpose was to keep him from becoming proud (v. 7).

Proud about what? About a vision of the heavenly realms that God had granted him (vv. 1-6). Though he spoke of himself in the third person in these verses, commentators are nearly unanimous in seeing “a man” as Paul himself. He mentioned this vision as a proof of his apostolic authority and that God's call to ministry negates selfpromotion— unlike the false teachers who were troubling the Corinthians.

Since Paul's “thorn in the flesh” resulted in humility, he must have rejoiced, right? Not exactly. It was a “messenger from Satan,” a source of “torment.” He pleaded in prayer for it to be taken away, but God said, in so many words, “it's not about you” (v. 9). So Paul accepted it and embraced the pain, knowing his weakness made it easier for others to see God. True humility desires above all for others to see not self but God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Fiction can give us a unique perspective that we can't get elsewhere. One example is the novel Paul, by Walter Wangerin Jr. (Zondervan, 2000). The book jacket says: “With imagination and depth, Walter Wangerin Jr. weaves the history of the early church and its greatest apostle into a powerful epic. Paul is more than a novel. It is a masterfully crafted world of rich color, stunning imagery, and gripping immediacy . . . Here is an intimate portrait of a complex individual—and of God at work through him, turning the world upside down.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 25
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. - Psalm 25:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Hannah was grief-stricken over her inability to bear a child. Though her husband Elkanah assured her of his love, she continued to long for a baby. When the family traveled to Shiloh to worship at the tabernacle, Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who did have children, ridiculed her. On one such trip, Hannah prayed fervently: “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life.” Though Eli the priest misinterpreted her emotional actions as drunken ones, God granted her humble prayer (1 Sam. 1-2).

God loves, guides, and cares for the humble, as Psalm 25 also reveals. Overall, this psalm is a prayer of trust in difficult times, including core affirmations that God keeps His promises and shepherds His people. It can be outlined into three parts: a prayer of trust in the Lord (vv. 1-7), affirmations of God's trustworthiness (vv. 8-15), and a continued urgent prayer for refuge and grace in a bad situation (vv. 16-22). In the prayers, David acknowledged his sin and rebelliousness, which is why he put no confidence in himself. Instead, he entrusted his soul entirely to the Lord, even in the midst of a desperate and painful problem. Through obedience, he could see clearly and rest securely on a foundation of God's love and mercy.

God is worthy of such absolute trust because of three Rs. First, He is righteous, which includes the ability to teach righteousness and the choice to bless those who walk in His righteousness. Second, He is relational, delighting to love and instruct and bless people. His qualities are not abstract or theoretical, but experienced in our everyday lives. And third, He is a revealer, making clear His covenant. Humility is just one of the responses believers should make to these truths—others include obedience, reverence, and faith.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Isaiah 40:8 reminds us: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” This is a tremendous motivation to memorize Scripture, to learn God's inspired words by heart. Psalm 25 would be a great passage to memorize over the next couple of weeks, especially if you've never done a compete chapter before. If you need a more manageable goal, we suggest memorizing today's verse. Say it to yourself throughout the day!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 13:44-46
The incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. - EphesIans 2:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Reformation theologian John Calvin commented on today's reading: “[T]hese parables are intended to instruct believers to prefer the Kingdom of heaven to the whole world, and therefore to deny themselves and all the desires of the flesh, that nothing may prevent them from obtaining so valuable a possession. We are greatly in need of such a warning . . . [T]he Gospel does not receive from us the respect which it deserves, unless we prefer it to all the riches, pleasures, honors, and advantages of the world, and to such an extent, that we are satisfied with the spiritual blessings which it promises, and throw aside every thing that would keep us from enjoying them; for those who aspire to heaven must be disengaged from every thing that would retard their progress.”

We're making a transition today, focusing on simplicity for the remainder of this month. What does simplicity mean? It refers to simplicity of attitude or focus, a kind of “plainness” in the sense that one is unwilling to become entangled with lesser things. It suggests a wholeness or purity of heart and will. How is simplicity linked with humility? They are sister virtues or spiritual disciplines. Both require a certain lowliness of spirit and an unadulterated passion for God's kingdom and glory.

Today's brief parables or word-pictures capture the spirit of simplicity. In the first story, a man finds a hidden treasure and sells all his possessions to buy the field where it was hidden. In the second story, a merchant finds a perfect and supremely valuable pearl, and like the first man, sells all his possessions so he can go and buy it. What these two stories have in common, of course, is the idea of giving up everything for the sake of obtaining what is highest. The treasure and pearl are symbols of the kingdom of God, the surpassing value of which calls us to give up everything to pursue it (cf. Luke 9:23-25).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We have another book recommendation for you today (and there will be a couple more before we're done). Please don't feel burdened. Remember that these are ideas, suggestions, and resources for you to respond to as the Holy Spirit leads. In reference to Jesus' parables such as those in today's reading, you might find The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation, by Brad H. Young (Hendrickson, 1997), to be a helpful reference.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 14:6-14
You have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. - Joshua 14:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Are you familiar with the word anomie? The dictionary lists one of its meanings as “the personal rootlessness that comes from a lack of purpose.” The term can also suggest boredom, lethargy, or disorder due to a moral failure or a loss of standards or values. It's linked to the Greek word, anomia, meaning “lawlessness.”

The antonym or opposite for “anomie” is “Caleb”! His faithful devotion to God was seen in a life full of energy and purpose. He's an outstanding example of simplicity in that he followed the Lord wholeheartedly throughout his life. He could have said what the other spies said, but instead he spoke up boldly and urged Israel to move forward into the Promised Land. He could have lost heart or gotten tired of waiting during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, but instead he continued to live by faith in God's promises. He could have left the fighting to younger men, but instead he was eager to take on the challenge of the fearsome Anakites and their fortified cities. Simplicity sees with eyes of faith. From a human perspective, the Israelites couldn't conquer the land, but Caleb interpreted the “facts” in light of faith and brought Moses back “a report according to [his] convictions” (v. 7). Furthermore, he praised God for keeping His promises to him— keeping him alive, strong, and healthy while his peers died off in the desert (v. 11). He was a living witness to a generation that hadn't experienced the original Exodus.

How “simple” and pure was Caleb's faith? His eagerness to claim God's promise had nothing to do with claiming the spoils of war. After he and his clan drove out the Anakites and conquered Hebron, they turned right around and gave the city to the Levites (21:11-13).

Imagine all the temptations there must have been through the years to lose faith, yet a simple and undivided heart kept his spiritual compass set to “true north.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In our youth-oriented culture, an 85-year-old man like Caleb would tend to get relegated to the sidelines as a “has-been.” Hopefully this is not the case in your church! Make a specific effort to learn from an older believer by arranging to interview someone you don't know well. As you listen to them share the faith of their spiritual journey and the wisdom of experience, your own faith and wisdom will be developed and strengthened. Come to the interview with a heart to listen and learn!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 84
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. - Psalm 84:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Church history has much to teach us about the spiritual discipline of simplicity. William of St. Thierry, a twelfth-century monk, wrote: “Holy simplicity is an unchanging will in the pursuit of a changeless good. . . . Simplicity, in fact, is properly the will fundamentally turned toward God, asking of the Lord only one thing, seeking it with fervor, with no ambition to multiply itself by becoming dispersed in this world. Simplicity is also, in the conduct of life, the true humility which has the virtue of attaching more importance to the evidence of the conscience than to reputation.”

What “one thing” did William mean? God's presence. “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Ps. 27:4; cf. Phil. 3:13-14). Psalm 84 celebrates this same desire to be near God. Like the readings for the past two days, it shows us simplicity, this time from a more relational or contemplative angle.

The psalmist longed to be in God's presence. He used strong verbs, including “yearns,” “faints,” and “cry out” (v. 2). He gave a memorable metaphor of a bird seeking her nest to describe his heart finding a home in worship (v. 3). He employed hyperboles or literary exaggerations—one day compared to a thousand, a lowly job in the right place compared to a home in the wrong place—to make the point that God's presence outweighs all other considerations (v. 10).

The simple-hearted who dwell in God's presence are richly blessed (v. 4). Specifically, they find their strength for pilgrimage in Him, and He turns the difficulties (Valley of Baca) they encounter into benefits (springs, pools) (vv. 5-7). God is a “sun and shield” to them and withholds no good thing from them (v. 11). “O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you” (v. 12). Do your words and actions lead others to the conclusion that you have this kind of heart?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A powerful modern worship chorus has been written from this psalm, “Better Is One Day,” which says in part: “My heart and flesh cry out / For you, the Living God / Your Spirit's water to my soul.” Written by Matt Redman in 1995, this song has been recorded by a number of Christian musical artists and groups—perhaps you have it on one of your CDs. Read through the lyrics or sing it to the Lord today to close your personal devotional time.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 6:19-24
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21
TODAY IN THE WORD
One day in 1848, a businessman walked down the main street of San Francisco, waving a bottle full of gold dust and shouting, “Gold, gold!” Literally half of the city's population soon left to seek their fortunes, and the California Gold Rush eventually attracted hundreds of thousands of hopeful prospectors. But one who never struck it rich was James Marshall, the man who first found gold at Sutter's Mill. He wandered jobless for years, spent his old age as an alcoholic blacksmith, and died nearly penniless.

The pursuit of earthly treasures can never satisfy. Even if Marshall had found a mountain of gold and died as rich as a king, he would have found these “treasures” meaningless and hollow. In the end, only spiritual treasures matter. That's why the virtue of simplicity means pursuing spiritual, not material, treasures. Today's passage begins with a practical justification (vv. 19-20): Earthly treasures are at risk. They could be stolen or destroyed. But heavenly treasures are not subject to such dangers; it's obvious which kind we should seek and store up. As opposed to the rich fool who put his faith in his possessions, we are to be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21; cf. v. 24).

A key principle for godly simplicity is this: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v. 21). What do you think is worth your time and energy? What do you pursue? If such things as building a career or adding to your bank account are at the center of your daily activities, then they've claimed your heart. Believers are to live by different priorities for different purposes, namely, obedience to the will of God for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Your “eyes” have eternal consequences (vv. 22-23). Just as a lamp lights the way, what you see (thus desire, thus pursue) makes a huge difference. That's why the writer of Hebrews exhorted: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One small book that captures the spirit of today's passage is The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving, by Randy Alcorn (Multnomah, 2001). The “principle” mentioned in the title is this: “You can't take it with you— but you can send it on ahead.” The last section of the book is entitled, “31 Radical, Liberating Questions to Ask God About Your Giving.” You might find this resource helpful in orienting your life toward the simplicity of pursuing God's kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 6:25-34
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33
TODAY IN THE WORD
“See how the lilies of the field grow,” Jesus advised (v. 28). Botanists count about 4,000 species in the lily family, about 100 of which are flowers. They are among the oldest cultivated plants in human history, having been grown for more than 5,000 years. They come in almost any color and are relatively easy to grow in spring, summer, or fall. Some of the better-known varieties today include the African Queen lily (orange), Cassandra lily (white with yellow stripes), Mona Lisa lily (soft pink), and stargazer lily (pink with white edges).

After reading today's passage, we can think of lilies as a symbol of the kingdom of God and of the wise simplicity of seeking His kingdom first. From this perspective, the opposite of simplicity is habitual worry (vv. 25-27). We should take a hint from the birds, which have all they need thanks to God's care for them. Since people are much more valuable to Him than birds, we can be even more sure that He'll provide for us. The implicit question here: Why would we waste our time chasing after things God will provide anyway? There's absolutely no point, since worrying can't improve anything.

Another object lesson from nature is provided by the lilies (vv. 28- 30). Like the birds, they neither fret nor strive, yet they have what they need. What's more, they're gorgeous without even trying, illustrating God's creative bounty. Since He does that for them and their existence is quite brief and relatively meaningless, we can be even more sure He'll provide all that we need and more.

The bottom line: God knows what we need. If we spend our time anxiously chasing after such things, we're just like pagans, who know no better. Simplicity understands that temporal things aren't worth prioritizing or worrying about. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (v. 33).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you worrying about tomorrow's needs and challenges? Today, take your anxieties to God in prayer. Psalm 55:22 promises: “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” 1 Peter 5:7 concurs: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Today's verse reminds us that when we trust Him and put His priorities first in our lives, He is faithful to meet all our needs (cf. Phil. 4:19). If you struggle with worry, write these verses on note cards and read them when you feel anxious.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: James 3:13-18
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
How did Satan fall? Scripture doesn't tell us the story in full, but it does give us a basic outline, as woven into a prophecy of Isaiah against the king of Babylon. Satan was at one time a powerful angel, a “morning star” in heaven. But he dared to think that he deserved to sit on God's throne, that he was equal to or even higher than the Almighty. Such a belief, entirely opposite to the truth, doomed him and he was “cast down to the earth . . . brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.” His pride made him God's enemy, and that foolishness sealed his fate (Isaiah 14).

Pride is foolish, while humility is wise—that's what James tells us in today's reading. Humility flows from wisdom, and wisdom includes submissiveness (vv. 13, 17). Wisdom is much more than “head knowledge”: It's enmeshed in a “web of virtues” like those we've encountered in other Scripture passages already. It's shown in action, in the quality of life as chosen and done daily— these are the “deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Merely human wisdom is the complete opposite (vv. 14-16). Envy and selfish ambition lie at the core of such “wisdom.” Pride seeks self-advancement and its own glory as the top priority of daily life. Where do these attitudes come from? Both come from Satan, who dared to challenge God, and from the world, that would rather ignore Him. The results of disorder and all kinds of evil are inevitable.

The outcomes of godly wisdom include purity, gentleness, justice, and mercy (vv. 17-18). In terms of daily life, wisdom is a series of moment-by-moment decisions to choose love for God and one's neighbor over love of self. Purity, gentleness, justice, and mercy don't “just happen,” but they do flow naturally forth as “deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Over the last few days, we've pointed out that the virtue of humility exists not in isolation but interconnects and interacts with many other godly qualities. Today, try making an analytic or artistic representation of this “web of virtue.” By “analytic” we mean some kind of chart or diagram showing the relationships between humility and other virtues. By “artistic” we mean a more creative depiction, for example, using calligraphy or clip art to show the relationships in a different light.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: James 5:1-6
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. - James 5:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Necessary Use Words: Changing Lives Through Worship, Justice, and Evangelism, by Mike Pilavachi with Liza Hoeksma, says: “Show people God's love in action by pursuing justice. . . . Ask God to make you passionate about helping the poor, oppressed, marginalized and dispossessed. Commit to working for justice as a way of life. Realize that the groups of people who suffer injustice are much broader than simply those who don't have enough money. Seek to also help those who suffer physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and socially, such as people who are lonely, abused, forced into slavery or prostitution, are victims of terrorism, [or] have lost their homes due to wars or natural disasters.” As followers of Christ, our desire to serve others includes sharing the good news of the gospel, but it also means that we are willing to get our hands dirty with the muck of this fallen world as we—in the example of Jesus—minister to those that others would rather ignore.

James reminds us that worldly wealth and power don't make all the rules. It's not wealth itself that's criticized, but the pursuit and love of it that are incompatible with kingdom-minded simplicity. The passage condemns unbelievers who use their wealth and power to exploit others; when rich and powerful people do wrong assuming they can get away with it, they're forgetting that the scales of justice will be balanced by Almighty God.

Note the list of sins in this passage: hoarding wealth, luxurious self-indulgence, and unjust labor practices, which is equated with murder. In the same way that the blood of martyrs cries out to God, the unpaid wages of ordinary workers cry out for justice. Disaster awaits for the oppressors (vv. 2-3a). They've spent their life building sand castles, and in the end their gold will rot away to nothing. “Eat your flesh like fire” indicates that just as they inflicted pain and suffering on others, so God's judgment will give them a taste of the same.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the best (not to mention one of the few) Christian books on the spiritual virtue and discipline of simplicity is Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard J. Foster (HarperCollins). Over the years, this classic has encouraged believers in practical ways to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Chapter 1 begins: “Contemporary culture is plagued by the passion to possess . . . Christian simplicity frees us from this modern mania. It brings sanity to our compulsive extravagance, and peace to our frantic spirit.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Godliness with contentment is great gain. - 1 Timothy 6:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Philosophy professor Jay Wood analyzed the disguises that sin can take in our lives: “Sin typically cloaks itself in some story or rationalization that mitigates or hides our wrongdoing from ourselves: Inordinate anger masquerades as ”˜righteous indignation,' arrogance as ”˜standing up for my rights,' retaliation as ”˜giving them what they deserve,' profligacy as ”˜giving myself what I deserve,' lust as ”˜healthy romantic ardor,' and so on . . . (S)uch rationalizations also accompany greed. Greed is an inappropriate attitude toward things of value, built on the mistaken judgment that my well-being is tied to the sum of my possessions. Greed is more than mistaken belief—as if knowing a few more facts would somehow solve the problem. It also involves emotions (perhaps longing, unfulfillment, fear) and attitudes (a sense of entitlement, rivalry). Greed alienates us from God, from our neighbor, and from our true self.”

No wonder Paul wrote to Timothy that the love of money was “a root of all kinds of evil” (vv. 8-10; cf. Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 3:3). As we've seen, Christian simplicity is opposed to anything that competes for top priority in our lives, but it's most often contrasted with the desire for wealth. Greed and covetousness are the enemies of simplicity. Seeking after riches is a trap and brings on many temptations. It arouses “foolish and harmful desires,” for example, for comfort or power. Such cravings appear to be the road to happiness, but they actually lead to a dead end. Specifically, they lead to faithlessness or the abandonment of a wholehearted spiritual pilgrimage.

The spirit of simplicity, on the other hand, is “godliness with contentment” (v. 6). To be satisfied with what we have is a righteous satisfaction based on the understanding that temporal or material things are not our highest priority. “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (v. 7). We don't enter eternity with our bank accounts and mutual funds, so to spend our lives pursuing such things makes us poor indeed!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you heard of the “prosperity gospel”? This notion proclaims that God shows His favor primarily via material blessings—an idea not so different from what the Pharisees and others believed in the Jewish culture of Jesus' day. This insidious teaching is spreading throughout the world, and some have associated this message with the gospel itself. Be sure that you can explain from Scripture the flaws in the “prosperity gospel” and that you can proclaim the good news of salvation that is at the core of historical Christian faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 18:18-30
How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! - Luke 18:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
From about 1639 until 1850, Dutch traders enjoyed a special relationship with the ruling powers of Japan. Out of hostility to missionary activity during this time period, Japan barred Europeans and other foreigners from entering the country. Only some Dutch and Chinese merchants were allowed to live (under close watch) in the city of Nagasaki. To earn this special privilege and the profits that came with it, however, the Dutch East India Company had to pay a price. Anyone who worked for the company in Japan had to prove that they were not missionaries by trampling on Christian symbols, such as crucifixes and images of Jesus.

Given the same dilemma of money versus Christian faith, the “ruler” (probably a religious or government official) in today's narrative made the same bad choice. He had a sincere heart and asked Jesus an important question, but he assumed incorrectly that salvation is something to be earned by merit. The Lord tried to shake him out of this assumption, first by emphasizing God's goodness, then by asking if he had kept the Ten Commandments perfectly. Part of the Law's purpose was to show us we're incapable of keeping the Law perfectly (see Gal. 3:24). The young ruler, however, naively (and incorrectly!) answered that he had indeed kept all the commandments.

Rather than start a theological debate, Jesus tried a new tactic. He challenged the man to give up his riches. He knew the official's heart and could see that this was the main spiritual barrier. The ruler's heart was entangled in a love of earthly treasures that was choking off a genuine desire for spiritual life. When the man balked, Jesus challenged him directly (vv. 24-25), but the young man still chose to walk away rather than trade all he had for the “pearl of great price.”

From an eternal perspective, there's no comparison between giving up any amount of wealth versus what is gained in Christ's service (vv. 29-30). Living by this truth is godly simplicity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Bible has a lot to say about money and wealth, and it's quite different from the messages and priorities of our culture. We live in a time when shopping is often considered patriotic and accumulating possessions is the norm. If you feel convicted that your own choices and priorities line up more with the culture than with Scripture, have a special prayer time over your budget, credit cards, and checkbook. It might also help to have a trusted friend help hold you accountable in pursuing simplicity, not stuff.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
See that you also excel in this grace of giving. - 2 Corinthians 8:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Clinical psychology has concluded that generosity and kindness are good for your health: doing good deeds triggers your brain to release chemicals that make you feel better about life. This warm feeling is called a “helper's high.” You feel happy and fulfilled. Stress and negative emotions decrease. Even just deciding to do a good deed produces these positive results, the effects are both short-term and long-term. For example, lifespan has been found to increase among older adults who volunteer.

Giving is one of the great joys and privileges of the Christian life (v. . And since the self-centered pursuit of riches is sinful, it makes sense that generosity is part of simplicity. Simplicity of loving the right things brings the freedom to give lesser things. From what we've been given, whether or not we're considered wealthy by worldly standards, we are to practice generosity as a practical demonstration of our love for what is eternally valuable.

The example in today's passage is the Macedonian church (vv. 1-7; see also 2 Chron. 31). They gave sacrificially— from a human perspective, “beyond their ability.” Despite the suffering they were undergoing, their joy overflowed in giving. What's more, they didn't have to be begged or cajoled, but instead took the initiative and viewed giving as a privilege. In short, their giving was infused with God's grace.

What's the theological background for all this? Nothing less than Christ's Incarnation and mission of redemption (v. 9). God becoming man is pictured as a rich man becoming poor, and our salvation as poor people becoming rich. For Paul, this metaphor had literal economic implications as well, since he used it to urge the Corinthians to contribute to the offering he was collecting for believers in Jerusalem. They needed to step up to the plate and share their resources, resting in the faith that God never leaves us short, but provides all that we need (vv. 10-15).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In obedience to today's verse, which is directed not only to the Corinthians but to all believers, we encourage you to seek out an extra giving opportunity this month, as the Lord leads and provides. If you think you have no “wiggle room” in your budget, ask Him to provide more money specifically so that you can give more this month. Also pray that He will show you a specific person or project to bless with your generosity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 4:10-19
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. - Philippians 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Do you have any missionary newsletters lying on your desk or sitting in your e-mail inbox? How about missionary prayer photos on your refrigerator? Are you faithful in reading these letters, praying for the ministries, families, and spiritual lives of the missionaries, and keeping in touch with those whom you also count as personal friends? We encourage you to support God's work in these ways.

Did you know Paul's epistle to the Philippians is a missionary newsletter? In today's reading, he wrote to them specifically about their missionary support. Overall, he rejoiced that they had started giving again after a period of time in which they hadn't done so (v. 10). He was even more grateful that this had come not through a check (or the ancient equivalent of one) but through a personal emissary, Epaphroditus. The Philippian church had sent one of their own members to bring their gift and support Paul personally (see 2:25-30).

As important as gratitude is, however, the Apostle focused more on explaining the meaning of their gift and exhorting them to simplicity and humility. The significance of their gift did not lie in how it had helped him (though it had done so), but rather in being an act of worship. It was a “fragrant offering” to the Lord first, before any sense in which it was for him (vv. 17-18).

Paul also encouraged the Philippians to find contentment in simple trust, lest they be tempted to take pride in their giving. Contentment is not about circumstances, for Paul had known the highs and lows of those (vv. 11-12). Instead, contentment is found in faith (v. 13). With God, all things are possible and all needs are met (v. 19). That's why, ultimately, Paul put his faith in God and not in his supporters. This seems a strange thing to write to a church that had just sent him money, but at all times in all ways Paul was zealous for the glory of God alone.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful spiritual habit and discipline. But it is also a challenge for many people—some who believe in its value and try their best just can't seem to get the words to stay in their heads! Even if this is the case for you, we encourage you to try to memorize the first four verses of today's Bible passage (vv. 10-13). Ask the Lord to assist you as you work on it. He's the Author—He'll be glad to help! Even if you find committing it to memory a challenge, the process of review will be a blessing.

[Def]

Read: Philippians 4:10-19
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. - Philippians 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
Do you have any missionary newsletters lying on your desk or sitting in your e-mail inbox? How about missionary prayer photos on your refrigerator? Are you faithful in reading these letters, praying for the ministries, families, and spiritual lives of the missionaries, and keeping in touch with those whom you also count as personal friends? We encourage you to support God's work in these ways.

Did you know Paul's epistle to the Philippians is a missionary newsletter? In today's reading, he wrote to them specifically about their missionary support. Overall, he rejoiced that they had started giving again after a period of time in which they hadn't done so (v. 10). He was even more grateful that this had come not through a check (or the ancient equivalent of one) but through a personal emissary, Epaphroditus. The Philippian church had sent one of their own members to bring their gift and support Paul personally (see 2:25-30).

As important as gratitude is, however, the Apostle focused more on explaining the meaning of their gift and exhorting them to simplicity and humility. The significance of their gift did not lie in how it had helped him (though it had done so), but rather in being an act of worship. It was a “fragrant offering” to the Lord first, before any sense in which it was for him (vv. 17-18).

Paul also encouraged the Philippians to find contentment in simple trust, lest they be tempted to take pride in their giving. Contentment is not about circumstances, for Paul had known the highs and lows of those (vv. 11-12). Instead, contentment is found in faith (v. 13). With God, all things are possible and all needs are met (v. 19). That's why, ultimately, Paul put his faith in God and not in his supporters. This seems a strange thing to write to a church that had just sent him money, but at all times in all ways Paul was zealous for the glory of God alone.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful spiritual habit and discipline. But it is also a challenge for many people—some who believe in its value and try their best just can't seem to get the words to stay in their heads! Even if this is the case for you, we encourage you to try to memorize the first four verses of today's Bible passage (vv. 10-13). Ask the Lord to assist you as you work on it. He's the Author—He'll be glad to help! Even if you find committing it to memory a challenge, the process of review will be a blessing.

YEAP!! as much as possible..GLORY!