Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Just Now Near"

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2
   

It was about 20 years ago that a very tired, elderly lady took a bus to her downtown Minneapolis insurance company. With hesitation she approached the receptionist who asked, “How may I help you?” The lady pulled an old insurance policy from her purse. She lowered her voice and explained she no longer had the wherewithal to continue to make payments on the policy. Anything she was able to make went to keep a roof over her head and put some food in the refrigerator. She was perfectly content with the policy, but she just couldn’t meet the payment deadlines any longer.

Sympathetically, the receptionist directed the lady to someone who could spend some time with the lady. The man took a quick look at the policy which was for almost half-a-million dollars. Then he asked, “Ma’am, this is your husband’s policy. How does he feel about it?” The woman replied, “My husband? He died a little over three years ago.” The company quickly investigated what she was saying and found out that she was telling the truth. They had to refund three years of premiums plus the face value of the policy. She lived comfortably the rest of her life.

The first time I shared that story with a friend, he sympathetically said, “It couldn’t happen. Nobody could get things that mixed up.” My friend was wrong. It happens all the time. I’ve seen it. Almost everyone knows that they have a deadline coming. I’m not writing about an insurance policy’s deadline. I’m speaking about a very real deadline: the moment when we breathe our last and stand before God to be judged. When that deadline comes, we will not be able to make the payment for our sins. In our lives we can try to do works of charity and kindness, but no matter how hard we try, it won’t be enough. We won’t be able to make the payment.

It is a wonderful joy for me to tell you that you don’t have to make those payments. Your divine brother, Jesus, has already made the payments and made you the beneficiary of His estate. Jesus’ birth, life, love, perfection, and substitution were part of the price He paid for us. His rejection, betrayal, trial, condemnation, and death were part of the payments He made for us. Thirty-three years of payments Jesus made; and because He never missed a payment, because He never sinned, all who acknowledge the risen Christ as their Lord are saved. Because of Jesus, their sins are forgiven and they will live with Him in heavenly bliss forever.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Like Jesus"

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:5-6a
   

"Thanks to you, I die like Jesus Christ, to inspire generations of the weak and the defenseless people." -- Sueng-Hui Cho, in a video sent to NBC news



By now, you may be tired of hearing about Sueng-Hui Cho, the 23-year-old gunman who killed 32 people at Virginia Tech. You may have been disturbed by the images that have been broadcast or upset by the endless discussion and analysis of why he did what he did. If so, please forgive me for the topic of this devotion, but I simply had to visit with you about one of the things Cho said in the video he included in a packet of information which he sent to NBC News.

Did you catch it when Cho said that he "died like Jesus Christ to inspire generations of defenseless people"?

Now, I will assume that almost all of you recognize that Cho didn’t die like Jesus Christ. You probably already know that Jesus died to give life, not to take life. The Savior gave Himself so that those who believe on Him might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). You are grateful that Jesus lived, died, and rose, not so that we might be inspired, but so that we could be saved. There is no question that Cho was terribly, tragically wrong in what he thought, in what he did, and in the way he thought of the Savior.

This is why I would encourage you today to spend some time considering the great grace that we have received through our Savior. He is the only mediator between a holy God and sinful humankind. Today there are many erroneous beliefs about Jesus. Some say that He was a tremendous teacher. Others would confine Him to the role of being a fine philosopher, healer, helper, or an incredibly wise individual.

Anyone who wishes to confine Jesus to those roles misses the point of why Jesus lived. The Spirit inspired Paul to tell young Timothy that ‘Jesus came to give Himself as a ransom for the sinful souls of this world.’ Scripture is clear. Without the hope conveyed by the prophecies made about the Savior, or the fulfillment made by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, we would be forever in sin and damned in our transgressions.

But this day and every day, we are able to give thanks to God for the victory that comes to us through Jesus Christ. The Savior’s ransom is complete, and his nail-pierced hands have built a new bridge between heaven and hell.

In a world of suicide bombings, mass shootings, and relentless, endless troubles, we can give thanks because Jesus is our Savior, our Sacrifice, and our Substitute.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Lost Your Life"

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15:20a
   

This past weekend, Pam and I motored to Batavia, Illinois where, with an old friend, Pastor Ron Weidler, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of Immanuel Lutheran Church. It was a beautiful drive, marked by sunny skies, pastoral fields, old country churches with their crosses, and a newly erected mosque.

Having traveled the world, I rejoice in our country’s love of freedom that allows varying religions and denominations to build places of worship without fear or threat of reprisals. Freedom of religion, which permits peaceful coexistence between people holding differing theological positions, is a great blessing that needs to be highly valued.

Freedom of religion is a concept that ought to be exported to the rest of the world. Indeed, I would have you join with me in praying that every man, woman, and child be given the freedom, without persecution, to hear both the Savior’s story of salvation and the narrative of God’s promises and how Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfilled those prophecies. I believe, with all my heart, that many millions would be saved if they had a chance to see how wonderfully unique and true the story of their redemption is.

Of course, the idea of letting people be free to meet the Savior and hear of His sacrifice to free us from sin, death, and devil is not an idea that will be welcomed in many countries of the world. Last week, in the Turkish city of Malatya, three men who were working at a Bible publishing house were tied up and had their throats slit. Ten college students have been arrested for the crime. A local newspaper reports that one of those arrested explained, "We didn't do this for ourselves, but for our religion. Our religion is being destroyed. Let this be a lesson to enemies of our religion."

The murderer has reinforced a lesson Jesus taught almost 2,000 years ago. He said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” When Jesus walked among us those who should have recognized Him refused to do so. Instead of assisting Him, they persecuted Him. Rather than helping Him, they crucified Him.

The events of this past week say that Satan will do anything to stop people from hearing how their sins have been forgiven by the Savior’s sacrifice. Many nations of the world are still afraid to let their lost citizens meet their Redeemer who alone can forgive them. Hearts that are still shackled by evil continue to reject the freedom that Jesus won for them upon the cross.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Surprise"

“…What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13
   

If you think back to your high school days, you might recall your teacher speaking about “rhetorical questions.” Rhetorical questions are queries that have an answer so obvious it doesn’t call for a reply. Jesus’ question about a father giving his son a scorpion’s egg instead of a fish might easily be classified as a rhetorical question.

Today, I also have a rhetorical question. Which mother will, when her child asks for a potato, substitute a hand grenade? Silly? Not necessarily. Last week, Olga Mauriello, an Italian mother, purchased some potatoes at a Naples market. She put the potatoes in water to soak off the dirt. A few minutes later, she began to peal the spuds for supper. Olga was shocked to find one of her soaking potatoes was a hand-grenade left over from World War II. Olga called her neighbors. Her neighbors called the police, and the police took the half-century-old grenade and safely detonated it a local park.

So, which mother among you would give your family a hand-grenade for dinner? No need to answer. It simply wouldn’t happen. Nor would our loving Father give us a gift that would hurt us. In his Epistle, James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) James wanted us to know Jesus was telling the truth. The circumstances of our lives may change, but God remains constant. There is no variation in the love He has for His children.

As Christians, we expect nothing less. The Father promised to send His Son into this world to be our Redeemer, so that our salvation might be won. The constancy of God’s grace was proven as His Son lived a life of rejection, denunciation, and accusation. The depth of God’s love can be measured when we stand at the foot of Calvary’s cross and before the empty tomb.

While it is impossible for me to say what evils may beset you, or what difficulties are discouraging you, I do know this. Even as you want what is best for your children, God has promised to do what is best for you. In that confidence, we pray the following.

[Soldier4Christ]

"True Wisdom"

Job 28:9-12. “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots. He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light. “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
   

It was only two weeks ago that one of our Daily Devotions suggested that the $170,000 Titanic-DNA watch might be the perfect present for the person who has everything. A fair number of our readers submitted their idea of gifts that were even better. I read them all but really paid attention to the person who forwarded a CNN article about a sale being held at Christie’s auction house in Paris.

The report said that the skeletons of a 13.5-foot-long rhinoceros, a 7.5-foot-tall cave bear, and a Siberian mammoth (12.5 feet high and, complete with tusks, 16 feet long) was going on the auction block. If you’ve got an extra $199,000 and a large spare room, the mammoth might be the gift to get.

As I read the auction’s list of unearthed items that would probably be sold for an uncommon amount of cash, I remembered this devotion’s text taken from the 28th chapter of the book of Job. Quoted above, it speaks of how humans are willing to overturn mountains, cut channels in rocks, and dam up streams, so they may bring to light anything that they think is valuable, including mammoth bones.

Having stated the facts about humanity’s questionable priorities, Scripture asks, “where shall wisdom be found?” It takes a few verses of reading, but the inquiry does get answered. “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28).

Now, it is not my intention to say anyone who desires to have a personal mammoth skeleton of his very own is being foolish. I do think it is ridiculous that one of the world’s largest news services found this story worthy of being carried around the world when millions of souls have never heard about Jesus, the Savior who is God’s good news of great joy. I think it is sad that a college student who kills 32 people gets more front-page coverage than the Savior who has redeemed millions from death and hell.

Thankfully, the world’s priorities are not our own. By the Holy Spirit’s power, we are blessed to know and believe in Jesus who is the most precious person anyone can ever know. That is why this devotion suggests that if a person thinks they can find value by looking in the earth, they might do well to take a long gaze into Jesus’ empty tomb. That would be true wisdom, indeed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Proper Pruning"

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.” John 15:1
   

Some years ago, I was called to an emergency at the home of a church family. When I knocked, no one came to the door. There was only a shout, “Come in!” I did and was greeted by a horrible sight. The mother was holding her child while the father was slapping the little girl’s face. Not so hard as to leave any bruises, but hard enough that I winced. Along with the slapping, they kept shouting at their little girl and every once in a while, they gave her a painful pinch. Child abuse? Even though I knew the family, I thought so.

It wasn’t. The little girl had swallowed some pills—too many pills. “Until the ambulance arrives,” the parents had been told, “keep her awake. Do whatever is necessary to keep her awake.” The picture of horror was transformed to an exhibition of love. Not to hurt, but to help, was the motivation of parents.

It’s God’s motivation in your life as well. Sooner or later we will all feel the slap and pinch of our heavenly Father. Please know, and it is absolutely certain, God doesn’t hate you. He loves you, and what you are experiencing is being done for your best.

If you don’t know Jesus as Savior, the Lord knows that you’re not smart enough, strong enough, fast enough, or holy enough to get to heaven on your own. In His love, God wants you to know you have been redeemed and can have the joy, the peace, the hope, the happiness, and the future that comes from a living connection with Jesus. If God’s pruning is hurting, now is the day and hour of salvation. See God’s hands reaching out to you in love.

If you are a Christian, you believe that Jesus has washed you from your sins. If you do, you may be especially perplexed as to why God is pruning you. “Why do bad things happen to good people—or a good person—like me?”

Let me ask, “Have you ever taken a child to the doctor for a shot?” Did you do so because you hated your child? Of course not. You did what you did out of love. Your child saw pain; you saw purpose. Now if we human parents act for our children’s best interest, can we doubt that God would do any less? A loving Lord, who cares for us and sent His Son to save us, will always do what is best for His children. In love, He will always do what needs to be done.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Two Types in the Temple"

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector." Luke 18:10
   

In His parables, Jesus often places two figures side by side to show contrast. Sometimes, as we all know, such opposites are found in the same family. Jesus spoke of two sons, the one saying yes to the father’s wish but failing to act on it while the other first said no, then changed his mind and obeyed. In another parable, the prodigal son who repented and returned home and his resentful brother are similar opposites.

The Pharisee and the publican are two distinct types. The Pharisee typifies those who are confident of their own righteousness and look down on everybody else. Their self-trust was based mostly on what they were not – not crooks, adulterers, or the like – as well as on self-chosen deeds that exceeded God’s requirements. Inevitably their church going was a cover-up, and their prayers were long recitals of gilded vices passing for virtues.

The publican represents Christ’s type of person. It is not that our Lord approves of cheaters, such as most publicans were. The emphasis is on repentance, on a change of heart and mind, not on who the person is. Also of a penitent Pharisee Jesus would have said: He prayed humbly for God’s mercy, he received it, he went home with the peace of God. That was the life story of Saul the Pharisee, who, after his conversion, believed in the Crucified One as Savior and bore witness to Him.

With the believing publican we, too, can go on our homeward journey and sing for joy because God has forgiven us in Christ and given us a new lease on life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Boldness of Faith"


Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment. 1 John 4:17
   

An unpretentious little plant found in woodlands, fields, and perhaps your own yard is the violet. Its delicate purple and blue flowers are not showy, like those of the peony or hibiscus. That may be the reason that poets refer to “the shy little violets,” and in everyday speech we refer to some persons as “shrinking violets.”

Usually this is not meant to be a complimentary term – not in an age when self-assertiveness is stressed. How are people to be, in the light of biblical teaching? Christian humility is stressed – a modesty not of weakness but of strength, not of self-contempt but of honoring what God has honored.

Our Savior Jesus Christ best exemplifies this kind of humility, this servanthood. “Learn from Me,” He tells us, “for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). But this does not mean that Jesus was weak, for with His meekness went the might of His saving, enduring love, enabling Him to be obedient to death, even death on a cross, for our salvation.

Christians’ humility is a reflection, a mirror, an image, of Christ’s humility. It shows that they are genuine, not pretending to be what they are not, but demonstrating themselves to be what they are: God’s redeemed children. As such they have courage and confidence not based on their own merits but on what they have become in Christ: new creations. This is not to say that they have reached perfection, but that they are growing in holiness, always more and more conformed to Christ’s image.

What happens when people, who for reason of guilt or self-depreciation were like shrinking violets, have come to faith in Jesus? Saint John writes that they “have confidence on the day of judgment.” Every day they may, with all boldness and confidence, come to God in prayer, for Christ has made them acceptable to the heavenly Father.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Life’s Wheat and Weeds"

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28
   

An author who wrote interestingly about the struggles of early settlers in Nebraska was Willa Cather. “O Pioneers!” was one of her novels. In her poem “Prairie Spring” she wrote about the opposites that made farming difficult: “The growing wheat, the growing weeds.” Early Nebraskans, fighting blizzards, dust storms, droughts, and grasshoppers, knew that also weeds had to be controlled if there was to be wheat. They understood what God meant when He told fallen Adam concerning the ground: “Through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17).

Good and evil – the proverbial wheat and weeds – are encountered in all vocations and walks of life. The business person has profits and losses. Sales people hear yes and no from the buying public. Teachers have bright pupils and dullards. Life in the home is similarly marked by ups and downs, by many a plus and many a minus.

Christians put up with “the growing wheat, the growing weeds.” They put all of life, including occupational, domestic, and personal affairs, into God’s hands. They do the best they can, leaving it to God to add His blessing – to give the increase to their sowing. Their trust in Him is supported through the use of God’s Word and prayer.

What gives us confidence, speaking specifically, is a certain “logic” of faith. Saint Paul refers to this in a beautiful passage in Romans. He confronts us with the great truth of the Gospel and then lets us draw our own conclusions with regard to the everyday affairs of life. He writes, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)

We are reminded: Not only our spiritual well-being – that is, our sure salvation in Jesus Christ – but also our daily activity is covered by God’s promise to provide.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Now is the Time"

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 3:7-8
   

In a burned-out house, where a little boy lost his life, two unused smoke detectors were found on a closet shelf. Had they been installed they might have sounded the alarm, and the boy’s life might have been spared. Perhaps the parents wanted to install the smoke detectors at some vague, future time.

A tragedy is all the more painful when we have reason to think it might have been avoided. So it is in our spiritual lives. The Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish. It is His good and gracious will that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4). To that end He took measures to prepare salvation for all. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, among us to give His life to save us all from sin and its consequences. Salvation is a gift God wants every person to have. He wants the Gospel proclaimed – the Good News that is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

But God’s gift of salvation does us no good if we refuse to accept it or let it function in our lives – like those smoke detectors left lying on a closet shelf. Look what we are missing when we pass up so great a salvation! We forfeit peace with God, a good conscience, the assurance of God’s presence in our hearts and homes, the daily access to God in prayer.

God’s blessings are like a delicious, nourishing banquet meal. The sumptuous wedding dinner has been prepared, and the heavenly Host declares: “Everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet” (Matthew 22:4). What a pity that many go spiritually hungry or even starve to death when all this food for the soul is available without cost!

There is an urgency about all this – the need to act now, as the Scripture says: “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the time to let Christ direct our lives so that the power of His love might bless us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Humility That Exalts"

"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11
   

When there is an official dinner for government heads or their representatives the guests are seated according to rank. It would not only be an infringement on established protocol, but folly as well for someone to occupy a high place by his own choice. He would run the risk of being demoted and thus lose face with the assembly.

Jesus, once a guest in the home of a prominent Pharisee, noted how the pride-prone guests sought out places of honor for themselves at the table. It drew from Him a parable with this good advice: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests” (Luke 14:8-10).

Our Lord’s major concern is not proper table manners but the virtue, or fruit of faith, underlying good behavior in general: humility. The pride displayed among people is often a symptom of pride before God. That is shown to us by the Pharisee praying in the temple: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men” (Luke 18:11). He recites his good deeds: fasting and tithing.

Before God, none can be declared just on the basis of good works or excellence of character. We are acceptable to God only if we take off the spotted garment of the flesh and of our own righteousness and are, by faith, adorned with the merit credited to us because of Christ’s shed blood. Trust in Jesus Christ makes for true humility – the kind that exalts.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Getting Involved"

"Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27
   

Several years ago a young woman in New York City, Catherine Genovese, was twice attacked on the street and then killed. All the while, 38 persons in surrounding apartments heard her screams, but not one did so much as call the police. The onlookers did not want to get involved.

One sometimes wonders how cold and impersonal people can become in our large cities. The fault doesn’t lie in the surroundings but in human nature. Jesus spoke of this in His parable of the Good Samaritan. Long ago, not on a busy city street but on a country road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a traveler was robbed and nearly beaten to death. Two men who knew better, a priest and a Levite, passed by on the other side, failing to help the victim. They, too, didn’t want to get involved. It was up to the Good Samaritan to cross cultural and racial barriers to come to his rescue.

Sometimes it is fear and not knowing what to do that keeps people from helping. Sometimes another factor enters in – we are in a hurry to do something or get somewhere. So we pass on and leave it to someone else to lend a hand.

Emergency situations are hard to predict or to prepare for. But some things can be kept in mind. For one thing, we should know what number to call to summon the police, the fire department, or an ambulance. Another minimal effort is to stay with the victims and comfort them until professional help arrives.

Christians know why they want to do these things, not only because human decency requires it but also – and primarily – because our Savior, Jesus Christ, chose to become involved in our behalf. He did for us in a spiritual way what the Good Samaritan did for his victim: He took proper measures to heal us from the wounds of sin, save us from death, and make us well. We cannot repay Jesus for this, but we can show our thankfulness by helping others in need.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Helping the Helpers"

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him. Luke 10:1
   

This human drama, enacted in St. Louis, has been repeated in many other cities and communities: A workman was buried when the ground in which he was working collapsed. For 17 hours firefighters and paramedics worked to free him and free him they did. During those working hours women from the Red Cross and the Salvation Army served the rescuers with food and drink. They helped the helpers.

Something similar took place when Jesus sent out 72 disciples to preach and heal in the towns where He Himself would come. The people in these towns were, spiritually (and physically) speaking, in a desperate situation – like the man under the collapsed ground. Jesus sent this large group of disciples as a rescue team. They were helpers of the needy. Helping the helpers were the families who welcomed them into their homes, giving them not only food and drink but also gracious hospitality and expressions of peace. This meant much to the evangelizing disciples.

To this day God provides both the evangelists and the people who give them support. The latter back up Christ’s workers with prayers and gifts, with hospitality and spiritual support. These are necessary and appreciated by our Lord’s rescue forces. One wonders how much free hospitality the early settlers in this country gave the horseback missionaries who came to them on the prairies and forests primeval. Without such help, the pioneer pastors and teachers could not have done their work. Also the small favors count when done in faith. Jesus said to His workmen: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41).

Christ’s love always constrains and prompts us to help those who help the spiritually lost. It is that love that brought God’s Son down from heaven to give His life for the salvation of all: the people in need, the helpers, and those who help the helpers.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Lord's Invitation"

"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." Matthew 22:2
   

A well-laden table is a symbol of the abundant grace God offers in His kingdom. Such a festive board reminds us of the plentitude of the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation in Jesus Christ. Our Lord said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” The invitation did not only say, “Com to the wedding banquet,” but also made reference to the sumptuously prepared dinner, “My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready” (Matthew 22:4).

God prepares a feast for us whenever and wherever the means of grace, Word and Sacraments, are dispensed. This generally occurs in church, supplied as it is with pulpit and lectern, baptismal font, and the Lord’s Table. Faith comes through hearing the Word and through the use of the sacraments. Faith is created in Holy Baptism and confirmed and strengthened in Holy Communion – saving faith in the Savior Jesus Christ.

This is how the Lord states His invitation:

* “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1).
* "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).
* “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

The Spirit extends the invitation and transforms our hearts to accept it. It’s that simple.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What is Money For?"

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36
   

It is not money that is the root of all evil, but the love of it. Money is not evil in itself. We need it. Money is God’s gift to us, to be administered by us as good stewards.

In modern times, with the emphasis on material goods, we see something emerging that raises questions about our sense of values. Games of chance are on the increase. They are the focus of tremendous interest, aided and abetted by wide-spread publicity. The sad part is that the people who can least afford it buy the most tickets, spending money on a wish and a dream – money they need for food, clothing, and fuel. They read stories of ordinary people hitting the jackpot, and they begin to reason: “If they can do it, so can we.” Not mentioned in these news stories are the millions who did not win anything.

It’s no fun being poor. So there come visions of what life could be like if you were suddenly a millionaire. You ditch your job, go traveling, build a big house, drive a limousine-length car. But that is only a vision. The cold facts are that the chance of getting rich by chance are so remote that you can forget about it.

Underneath the lottery fever is a philosophy that says you can get a great deal for very little – you can get wealth without working for it. This is a delusion. Satisfaction comes from acquiring what you need in the old-fashioned way: earning it!

The Bible has a good suggestion for those who hang around games of chance with money burning holes in their pockets: “Do something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

We cannot repay Jesus Christ for having redeemed us – redeemed us not with gold or silver but with His holy, precious blood. But we can show our thankfulness by being faithful stewards of all He has entrusted to us.