Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered freely to the Lord; King David also rejoiced greatly. I Chronicles 29:9 NRSV
King David, in Chronicles, sets the stage for his son and heir to build a temple for God. David wants to provide the funds to pay for the construction. He doesn't just ask the people of Israel to give: David gives generously first out of his own treasury. Then he asks what the people will offer willingly to help with the expenses and, in doing so, be part of this holy construction. Then the leadership of the houses of Israel come forward, giving freely. This is followed by other leaders and by the people. They give various denominations of money and precious stones. Then everyone rejoices because they money was given freely rather than "taxed."
It is interesting to see that people do follow the example of leaders. When leadership in our churches give generously, then the rest of the congregation will follow. When leaders sacrifice for God's own good, others will happily follow this example.
In this shaky economic climate, how generously are you giving to God?
God, you ask us to give joyfully, not out of our abundance but out of our love for you. Help us to give freely and to lead others in also giving to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Get Rich Quick(ly)
After this he fell in love with a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. The lords of the Philistines came to her and said to her, "Coax him, and find out what makes his strength so great, and how we may overpower him, so that we may bind him in order to subdue him; and we will each give you eleven hundred pieces of silver." Judges 16: 4-5 NRSV
How much money would you accept to betray someone?
My mind immediately goes to the gospels and Judas Iscariot. I often hear others try to explain how he misunderstood Jesus' mission or that he thought what he did would force Jesus into military action. But I cannot get away from the thought of betrayal in exchange for money.
30 pieces of silver in Judas' time was a lot of money.
But in the time of the judges, 1100 pieces of silver per leader must have been an incredible fortune! I would imagine this would make Delilah a millionaire many times over as well have the reputation among her people for finding Samson's weakness.
Delilah's willingness to cooperate does not mean she was greedy. It reminds us that she was not one of God's people. Delilah's priorities and morals were different. She was the enemy of God's people and of Samson. The Bible doesn't say she was a prostitute, but there is no mention of either a family or of marriage so it does indicate that she not someone to take home to Momma.
In her mind, this was not going to be an act of betrayal but an act to save her people and get rich, too.
God, save us from betraying you for we all have our price and none of us are exempt. Only through your protection and mercy will we be saved. In Christ's holy name we pray. Amen.
Question of the day: What does it feel like to be betrayed by someone you love?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
How much money would you accept to betray someone?
My mind immediately goes to the gospels and Judas Iscariot. I often hear others try to explain how he misunderstood Jesus' mission or that he thought what he did would force Jesus into military action. But I cannot get away from the thought of betrayal in exchange for money.
30 pieces of silver in Judas' time was a lot of money.
But in the time of the judges, 1100 pieces of silver per leader must have been an incredible fortune! I would imagine this would make Delilah a millionaire many times over as well have the reputation among her people for finding Samson's weakness.
Delilah's willingness to cooperate does not mean she was greedy. It reminds us that she was not one of God's people. Delilah's priorities and morals were different. She was the enemy of God's people and of Samson. The Bible doesn't say she was a prostitute, but there is no mention of either a family or of marriage so it does indicate that she not someone to take home to Momma.
In her mind, this was not going to be an act of betrayal but an act to save her people and get rich, too.
God, save us from betraying you for we all have our price and none of us are exempt. Only through your protection and mercy will we be saved. In Christ's holy name we pray. Amen.
Question of the day: What does it feel like to be betrayed by someone you love?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Do Not Be Foolish
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5: 15-17 NRSV
Are you careful how you live?
Would you say you live wisely or unwisely?
Do you make the most of the time you have?
Are you foolish?
Do you try to understand what the will of the Lord is?
Yes, I know we must be fools for Christ. But that is different from living foolishly.
I've been listening to Dave Ramsey lately and have come to the realization that many of us in America use our money foolishly. In fact, many of us are embarrassingly in debt. Instead of wisely counting the blessings that God has given, we foolishly want/think we deserve more. So, instead of thankful living we spend our time working for the dollar, complaining and whining the whole time.
And our folly doesn't stop with money. It also includes our time, gifts, talents and abilities. If we wisely looked to what God wants from us, we would realize we've been wasting precious time on the ridiculous.
God wants us to live fruitfully. But, fools that we are, we resist time and time again.
God, what is your will for my life? Amen.
Question for the day: In what areas of your life have you been wise and fruitful, following God's will?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Are you careful how you live?
Would you say you live wisely or unwisely?
Do you make the most of the time you have?
Are you foolish?
Do you try to understand what the will of the Lord is?
Yes, I know we must be fools for Christ. But that is different from living foolishly.
I've been listening to Dave Ramsey lately and have come to the realization that many of us in America use our money foolishly. In fact, many of us are embarrassingly in debt. Instead of wisely counting the blessings that God has given, we foolishly want/think we deserve more. So, instead of thankful living we spend our time working for the dollar, complaining and whining the whole time.
And our folly doesn't stop with money. It also includes our time, gifts, talents and abilities. If we wisely looked to what God wants from us, we would realize we've been wasting precious time on the ridiculous.
God wants us to live fruitfully. But, fools that we are, we resist time and time again.
God, what is your will for my life? Amen.
Question for the day: In what areas of your life have you been wise and fruitful, following God's will?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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