Daily Devotional for May 5, 2016

Luke 16:10-13
Jesus went on to make these comments:

If you’re honest in small things,
    you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
    you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
    who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
    He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
    You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
 
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.  Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.  All rights reserved.

If you think about it, many of us are taught the importance of integrity from an early age. 
A friend asked on Facebook for parents to contribute lists of words or phrases that they use over and over with their children.  While we are not parents, I thought of a few that Greg and I say, like “share”…”say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’”…and ”be nice to each other.”  We also spend time telling the children, “You can become anything you want”…”You are so smart”…”You did that so well”…”I am proud of you!”

We try to instill in them – just as our parents did with us – the importance of honesty, fairness, and integrity…and the dangers of lying, cheating, stealing – and greed.  And I hope you realize that this scripture passage is about so much more than just the love of money.  It’s really about choices – what and WHO we choose to serve in all areas of life.

Proverbs 15:16 (CEV) says, “It’s better to obey the Lord and have only a little, than to be very rich and terribly confused.”  When we focus on God and doing the things that please Him, our needs will always be met.  We may not drive brand-new cars or live in fancy houses…we may only have a few things to wear and just enough food to sustain us.  But we will be full, satisfied, and abundantly “rich” in the things that truly matter - if we are in the will of God and serve Him humbly. 

When we make hard choices and do the right thing – even though everyone around us is suggesting we do otherwise…we demonstrate faith in God to bless us.  When we operate with integrity and trust God in all things, He fills in the gaps.  It is time for us to focus on God…to serve and operate in His will – and believe that He will handle our troubles and challenges.  It is time for us to concentrate on meeting the needs of others in the name of Jesus - and quit worrying about what is in it for ourselves.

It is time for us to choose WHO we will serve…and then do it…to exhibit the hallmarks of a person of integrity…such as sharing, being polite and kind, lifting people up and speaking positively, always operating in honesty and fairness - and demonstrating our faith in Jesus and His teachings.  It is time to show others that we have chosen richness in Christian faith and discipleship – with no concern over whether monetary wealth will follow or not. 

The time has come to make what will be for some of us hard choices…and get on with the business of doing God’s will rather than serving our own interests.  Are you ready to make this level of commitment - and walk in faith and integrity with Jesus? Will this be the day that you begin?


©2016 Robus

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