'Wealth' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.” vs. 11 Amos 5:10-15 Amos came with an outsider’s eye and he could see what the people of Israel could not. Because the abuse had gone so long, they had gotten used to it. Of course, the rich systematically took…
Daily Devotions
Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” vs. 28 Ephesians 4:25-28 There’s something delightfully naive about this verse from Ephesians. Usually the writers of scripture come down hard on sinners–thieves are given warnings to change behavior or face harsh consequences. But here there are no threats or condemnation, just a heartfelt admonition for thieves to stop stealing and begin to work…
Daily Devotions
For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?” vs. 36-37 Mark 8:34-38 Over the last dozen years or so many people in our country have taken advantage of the rising stock market to accumulate more money than they ever dreamed possible. And as tax rates have gone down they’ve found ever new ways to protect and increase their fortunes. And now they’re scared…
Daily Devotions
But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” vs. 33 Mark 8:31-33 Having resisted the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, it must have surprised Jesus to hear the tempter’s voice coming from his most trusted disciple. But that’s how temptation works! Seldom can we be tempted by those who we don’t know well–we just don’t trust them…
Daily Devotions
Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. vs. 10 Psalm 62:9-12 The psalmist lived under a different economic system than we do. He would not have been familiar with either capitalism or socialism, but he did know the inclinations of the human heart. From the beginning of life in community there have been some who attempted extortion and robbery to get more goods for themselves;…
Daily Devotions
Luke 1:46b-55 “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” vss. 52-53 Mary’s song, the Magnificat, has long been a favorite for Christians, particularly at this time of year. When the vocalist is skilled, the tune lifts our hearts, and we’re entranced by its beauty. What we miss though is that the song is about revolution, the total transformation of…
Daily Devotions: November 2, 2019
November 2, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 6:20-26 … “Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” vs. 20 At first, Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain–as remembered by Luke–seems similar to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, but it soon becomes apparent that the message is radically different. Not only does Jesus modify his description of those who are blessed, he adds a series of woes…
Daily Devotions: September 28, 2019
September 28, 2020 For full passage click: Luke 16:19-26 … “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.’” vs. 25 This familiar story paints a stark contrast between the fate of the rich and the poor after death and satisfies a basic human desire for ultimate justice. We are reminded that both the rich and the…
Daily Devotions: September 23, 2019
September 23, 2020 For full passage click: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 … “Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory–who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp–who drink wine from bowls–but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” vss. 4a, 5a, 6a, 6c Amos was not impressed with the life-styles of the rich and famous in the Israel of King Jeroboam II. He was a non-credentialed prophet from an obscure village in the hill country of…
Daily Devotions: September 16, 2019
September 16, 2019 For full passage click: Amos 8:4-7 … “Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying, ‘When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances…’” vss. 4-5 When Amos wandered out of Judah into the kingdom of…
Daily Devotions: September 8, 2019
September 8, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 14:31-33 … “So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.” vs. 33 Jesus regularly reminded his followers that discipleship was a costly undertaking and not something that could be taken lightly. Here he tells them that it will include the abandonment of all their possessions. Following his death and resurrection, it seems those who became disciples were willing to do exactly that.…
Daily Devotions: August 10, 2019
August 10, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 12:32-34 … “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” vs. 32 Whether we like it or not, we are treated to hourly reports, Monday through Friday, on how the stock market is doing. There is generally no rhyme or reason for the daily fluctuations but we can’t escape knowing how it’s doing. Some folks like that! They have multiple investments and…