May 25 ~ Matthew 6:30-33
“If God gives such attention to
the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t
you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so
preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who
don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you
know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality,
God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll
find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”
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 I have learned anything in
the last several months, it’s that we worry far too much about a lot of
things that really don’t matter. For several months, I feel like I
have just gone through the motions in our home…housekeeping chores have
been neglected…the Christmas tree stayed up until almost the end of
January…we’ve eaten a lot of take-out meals. And it has not mattered.
We have been focused on family and attending to “business” matters that
had to be handled…and the rest could wait.
When Greg and I started Workamper News
in 1987, we carefully budgeted every penny. For the first few years, we documented every dime
we spent, until we were sure that the business was going to succeed
enough to pay all of the bills. If we ended up with a surplus in the
budget at month’s end, we treated ourselves to Sonic® burgers. Those
were some of our happiest years as business owners!
I remember
tough times as a child. My parents were working multiple jobs to pay
the bills and put food on the table for themselves and three children. I
know what it feels like to struggle and worry about how budgets will be
met…and how goals will be accomplished. I’ve stressed over college
courses, business plans, the challenges and heartaches of loved ones,
health concerns, and more. And I have wasted more than my fair share of
time on worry and preoccupation with the outcomes.
This is a
profound scripture passage for almost all of us…because there is
something innate in us as humans that keeps us asking, “What is in it
for me?” and thinking about how we can acquire more…money, time,
possessions, friends - or even physical fitness and attractiveness. And
Jesus is telling us to get a grip – literally – on the love and grace
of God Almighty!
You might be temporarily happier with an extra
couple hundred dollars in your pocket. You could feel better for a
while if you lost a few pounds, put on a new outfit and got your hair
done. You might feel a momentary thrill to drive a shiny new car…move
into a big, fancy, perfectly decorated house…or mingle with the rich and
famous as their equal. But in the end, none of these things lasts – or
matters. What is important is to “steep our lives in God-reality,
God-initiative, and God-provisions”…which are always more than enough.
Are
you still worried about missing out? Or are you trusting God to meet
every one of your needs? Will this be the day that you get your
priorities in line with His and start to truly live in His peace and
abundance? Don’t you want it to be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label focusing on money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label focusing on money. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 24, 2016
Matthew 6:24
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
CBS News has been running a story* about Fred Vautour, a Boston College janitor who took advantage of a policy that allows children of BC employees to attend the school tuition-free…provided they are accepted. All five of Vautour’s children have done exactly that…his youngest, Alicia, graduated recently with a nursing degree.
Vautour worked the overnight shift for Boston College …cleaning Robsham Theater, which has a 567-seat auditorium, classrooms, a dance studio, and a smaller “black box” theater. Each child had to meet the stringent admissions requirements for BC – and obviously Fred and his wife, Debra, have some smart kids! – but in the end, the college’s generous policy for employees whittled annual tuition from $66,000 per student down to about $3000!
Since 1998, Vautour has performed these janitorial duties to provide for his family. He said the thought of five college degrees kept him motivated. And while the total monetary value of these five diplomas is nearly $700,000…the dollar amount is not what appears to have been Vautour’s primary focus. My opinion is that Fred saw the mission God had given him - to nurture the lives of five children…and he made this his focus.
Fred and Debra obviously invested in their kids far beyond the impact of actual dollars. They clearly encouraged their children to develop into bright, motivated, dedicated young adults with a desire to become productive and successful. In another article about this family, I learned that Fred coached Little League…and Debra was a stay-at-home mom when the children were younger. Fred’s annual income was approximately $60,000. This doesn’t fit the definition of “money-hungry” in my book!
I share this family’s story to say to you that when we focus on completing the mission God gives us, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. This doesn’t mean that all of our children will go to college virtually tuition-free. But when we concentrate our efforts on obtaining material wealth – or personal accolades and recognition, we can’t possibly give God the time and attention He deserves.
We can idolize a myriad of things…from possessions, to our personal appearance, to relationships with other human beings and/or a hunger to be surrounded by the attention of others. All of this robs God of our attention and dedication. OR…we can go about our daily business, serving God as He has designed – even as an overnight janitor and father of five who is providing for the needs of his family (both short and long-term!). One demonstrates, at the very least, a division of loyalties – which short-changes God. The other represents a single-mindedness of purpose…to hear God’s voice and follow only Him…even if He says to scrub bathrooms and mop floors for the next 20 years!
Take a good look at your daily living and determine who you are serving. Have you allowed the love of money - or another desire/aspiration – to distract you and divert your attention from God? Will this be the day that you re-align your priorities and put the focus back on Him, where it belongs? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-college-janitor-sends-all-five-kids-to-college-for-free/
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
CBS News has been running a story* about Fred Vautour, a Boston College janitor who took advantage of a policy that allows children of BC employees to attend the school tuition-free…provided they are accepted. All five of Vautour’s children have done exactly that…his youngest, Alicia, graduated recently with a nursing degree.
Vautour worked the overnight shift for Boston College …cleaning Robsham Theater, which has a 567-seat auditorium, classrooms, a dance studio, and a smaller “black box” theater. Each child had to meet the stringent admissions requirements for BC – and obviously Fred and his wife, Debra, have some smart kids! – but in the end, the college’s generous policy for employees whittled annual tuition from $66,000 per student down to about $3000!
Since 1998, Vautour has performed these janitorial duties to provide for his family. He said the thought of five college degrees kept him motivated. And while the total monetary value of these five diplomas is nearly $700,000…the dollar amount is not what appears to have been Vautour’s primary focus. My opinion is that Fred saw the mission God had given him - to nurture the lives of five children…and he made this his focus.
Fred and Debra obviously invested in their kids far beyond the impact of actual dollars. They clearly encouraged their children to develop into bright, motivated, dedicated young adults with a desire to become productive and successful. In another article about this family, I learned that Fred coached Little League…and Debra was a stay-at-home mom when the children were younger. Fred’s annual income was approximately $60,000. This doesn’t fit the definition of “money-hungry” in my book!
I share this family’s story to say to you that when we focus on completing the mission God gives us, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. This doesn’t mean that all of our children will go to college virtually tuition-free. But when we concentrate our efforts on obtaining material wealth – or personal accolades and recognition, we can’t possibly give God the time and attention He deserves.
We can idolize a myriad of things…from possessions, to our personal appearance, to relationships with other human beings and/or a hunger to be surrounded by the attention of others. All of this robs God of our attention and dedication. OR…we can go about our daily business, serving God as He has designed – even as an overnight janitor and father of five who is providing for the needs of his family (both short and long-term!). One demonstrates, at the very least, a division of loyalties – which short-changes God. The other represents a single-mindedness of purpose…to hear God’s voice and follow only Him…even if He says to scrub bathrooms and mop floors for the next 20 years!
Take a good look at your daily living and determine who you are serving. Have you allowed the love of money - or another desire/aspiration – to distract you and divert your attention from God? Will this be the day that you re-align your priorities and put the focus back on Him, where it belongs? Don’t you think it should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
* http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-college-janitor-sends-all-five-kids-to-college-for-free/
Daily Devotional for December 30, 2014
1 Timothy 6:2-5
These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
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.
This morning, a female Cardinal perched on a privet hedge branch outside my window. I stopped and studied her as she sat in the sunshine on this very cold, breezy day. The female is not the showier of the Cardinals…her sandy brown body sports just a hint of bright red at the crest and on the tail - unlike her male counterpart who is a brilliant red (hence the name “Cardinal”!) Yet she exuded such sweetness…such beauty…such purpose!
Surely at some point, this little bird will become a mother. She will shoulder the responsibility of ministering to her little charges. While her mate will assist her…much of the responsibility for setting a good example will fall to her. This little bird may not be a showoff, but her “mission” is vital…and that makes her all the more beautiful to me – and important in the circle of life.
The Apostle Paul is speaking this message to Timothy…”stay focused on what is the true mission of the church. Don’t get caught up in flash and grandeur…and most certainly do not begin to emphasize money – or its gain. Pay attention to the solid words of our Master Jesus – and emulate His teachings – and the rest will take care of itself. Recognize those who have a different agenda for who and what the church is about…and do not buy into what they are peddling!”
The message for all of us is to focus on the teachings of Jesus…grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, inclusion, compassion, and hope. This type of ministry may not be as glamorous or visually attractive as flashy trappings, grand buildings and expensive adornments. But like the mother Cardinal…your “mission” is vital and precious to Jesus. And that is really all that matters. Are YOU teaching and preaching the things that Jesus desires? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
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.
This morning, a female Cardinal perched on a privet hedge branch outside my window. I stopped and studied her as she sat in the sunshine on this very cold, breezy day. The female is not the showier of the Cardinals…her sandy brown body sports just a hint of bright red at the crest and on the tail - unlike her male counterpart who is a brilliant red (hence the name “Cardinal”!) Yet she exuded such sweetness…such beauty…such purpose!
Surely at some point, this little bird will become a mother. She will shoulder the responsibility of ministering to her little charges. While her mate will assist her…much of the responsibility for setting a good example will fall to her. This little bird may not be a showoff, but her “mission” is vital…and that makes her all the more beautiful to me – and important in the circle of life.
The Apostle Paul is speaking this message to Timothy…”stay focused on what is the true mission of the church. Don’t get caught up in flash and grandeur…and most certainly do not begin to emphasize money – or its gain. Pay attention to the solid words of our Master Jesus – and emulate His teachings – and the rest will take care of itself. Recognize those who have a different agenda for who and what the church is about…and do not buy into what they are peddling!”
The message for all of us is to focus on the teachings of Jesus…grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, inclusion, compassion, and hope. This type of ministry may not be as glamorous or visually attractive as flashy trappings, grand buildings and expensive adornments. But like the mother Cardinal…your “mission” is vital and precious to Jesus. And that is really all that matters. Are YOU teaching and preaching the things that Jesus desires? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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