Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Shabbat can help us to understand our stewardship of earthly goods as we enter a day of rest. Since everything in and on Earth belongs to the LORD, all we own and all we are responsible for belongs to Him and is under His primary care. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” [Psalm 24:1] A biblical understanding of ownership recognizes this truth which becomes a blessing and a relief for believers who acknowledge it. We are free from the worry and care concerning earthly goods especially as we consecrate all we own to Him. As the saying goes, "You can't take it with you." Or as Job remarked, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. [Job 1:21]
That being said, the blessing of stewardship is a profound reality with daily opportunities which bear eternal consequences. Far from worrying about our stuff, we're far better reminding ourselves that all of our resources can be set apart for good and holy purposes. As stewards, we have both the responsibility and opportunity to manage God’s possessions here, and thus, store treasure "there" in Heaven...
So this Shabbat, consider your possessions. Don't worry about them; offer them to the LORD, the great steward of Creation, asking Him to give you wisdom and generosity as He delegates your earthly stewardship. Rejoice in His Freedom, His blessings, and His Life, knowing that all you have here in this world will pass away, and only what you have done with it will remain. Realize the only thing you can truly own is your relationship with God, and that you will find your heart where your treasure is. And rest in offering all you are and have to the best Steward of all. Shabbat Shalom!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]For over 25 years we’ve been covering Christian Persecution, and whenever I come across an amazing story of how a saint endured such hardships, it encourages me. I remember reading about Watchman Nee and his imprisonment. The Chinese government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that Nee would lead them to the Lord. Their fears were justified — many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently Watchman Nee had learned a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul.
A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him. In this brief devotion, I want to focus on two of Paul’s friends — Luke and Demas.
Whew! What must the disciples have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They we’re being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
As a pastor who has traveled extensively and also met and ministered to believers from all walks, backgrounds, and denominations, I feel I have a unique perspective on what is happening in the world and among the Body of Christ.
As I look at the big picture, I have noticed that since the recent war broke out in Israel in October of 2023, several ministries that have played a key role in Israel’s spiritual revival have come under intense attack.
So often when I’m counseling someone, he speaks of his life as a life of struggle and even defeat. But what is our true spiritual reality? The Bible describes the enemy as ALREADY defeated! We who are walking as pilgrims in this world, fighting on a daily basis, are fighting a defeated enemy. Let that sink in! He has already been defeated … even though throughout our entire lives we’re in combat with the enemy of our souls.
Studying some remarkable events in the history of World War 2, we find the deliverance of the allied armies at Dunkirk; a true story of Divine providence in modern history. It was on May 10, 1940, that Hitler unleashed his armies against France and Belgium. Within days, the British army found itself outmaneuvered and unprepared for the German blitzkrieg assault led by General Rommel and his 7th Panzer division.
Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery.