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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 29, 2006 Servant and Master |
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Frontline Devotion for Sunday, January 29, 2006 by Don Kress
First Timothy is one of three books of the Bible that are collectively referred to as the Pastoral Epistles. They are letters from Paul to two pastors of young Christian churches, instructing them in how to conduct themselves as they faced the heavy responsibility of leading their churches. Chapter 6 of I Timothy focuses on the duties of officers in the churches. But Paul’s advice is good not just for pastors and church officers, but for all of us. Today’s text is about money, and that certainly is a topic of interest to all of us!
Paul starts with a true axiom: we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. We came into the world empty-handed and penniless, and that is the way we will leave it. You can’t take your wealth and possessions with you! As one anonymous poet once wrote: “Do your givin’ while you’re livin’; Then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.” Paul goes on to tell us that we should be content with having our basic needs met. The argument that Paul makes here is not that we should all be poor, but that since we can’t bring wealth with us into the world nor take it out, it shouldn’t become the focus of our living. The pursuit of wealth in and of itself is not a vocation proper to Christians, and religion should not be made into a means of monetary gain. Paul is not arguing against having material possessions, but he is saying that material prosperity should not be held up as the promised reward for faithful living. Paul makes no condemnation of riches per se, but points out that those who desire to be rich fall into temptations and snares. It is not money itself that is evil, but the love of money which is the root of all evils. As “The Message” translates it: “Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble.”
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the source of these Frontline Devotions, is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, one of the most affluent counties in the nation. Many members of Good Shepherd and readers of this devotion have high-paying jobs and enjoy the material possessions that come from those jobs. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as those possessions don’t become our focus. We must not use our gold to make a golden calf, which we then worship. We are to use our material blessings to serve the Lord, not to become slaves to them. As Christians, we are all called to maintain a certain tension regarding our possessions, recognizing that money can be both a helpful servant and a cruel master!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you often spoke about money and the problems associated with making it my God instead of you. Help me to understand Paul’s admonition that the lust for material possessions will bring me nothing but trouble. Help me to be willing to use my possessions to serve my fellow mankind and You. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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