Daily Devotional for December 20, 2016

Proverbs 11:24-25
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The latest issue of our county’s historical journal has a reprint of an article that features my Mam-ma Polly.  The story was written by our dear friend Merrellyn, who was Mam-ma’s neighbor in the last 2 decades of her life. Merrellyn peppered the article with Mam-ma’s recollections of her childhood, as well as some interesting experiences from her adult life.  She notes how hard that she and her siblings worked to help my great-grandmother with chores…and that she did not have a home with electricity until 1938 - six years after she and my grandfather married. My dad was two by then. I cannot imagine life with a toddler and no electricity…can you?

I’ve said many times that I always thought my grandparents were rich…because they were always sharing SOMETHING with someone else.  By the same token, I grew up hearing about a few people in our community who legitimately were financially able to do a lot of good things for many people…but they were so attached to their money and possessions that they could not bear to think of parting with any of them – even for a “good” cause.  And when I thought of these people, they seemed lonely, bitter, and sad.

I’ve known more than a few people who isolated themselves and “hid their light under a barrel”…and when the time came that they were in need, there were few people who were even aware of them enough to step forward and help.  On the other hand, I’ve known people who gave generously of their time, energy and whatever they had to any and all who required what they had to offer…and there was practically a line around the block to help them whenever they needed assistance.

I’ve attended funerals for people who were virtually penniless…yet they gave all they could and lived a “rich,” full life filled with service, love and joy.  And I’ve attended services for some who lived such stingy, self-absorbed lives that barely a dozen people showed up to pay their respects.  I’m not saying that this is always how the equation works.  I’m sure there have been mitigating circumstances, and generous people who were neglected or “flew under the radar.”  I know there were probably some selfish folks who appeared to have a bevy of friends and people who cared about them in spite of their egocentric nature.  But Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:7 that “…a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!”

The goal is not to die surrounded by people who care and sing your praises…or those who will note how “rich” you were.  The aim should be to serve God with everything we have…because it ALL ultimately belongs to Him in the first place.  The rewards and blessings that come from giving are a nice byproduct - a bonus, if you will!  God does not bless us so that we can become self-centered hoarders of our time, talents and money.  He showers us with abundance so that we can share with others in the name of Jesus.  We can all do better at this.

My challenge today is that we all take inventory of our lives and see where we could “share the wealth” a little more - and glorify God in the process.  Are you willing to take a closer look?  Isn’t this the perfect week to do so?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2016

Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.

“He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities—and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.

“But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.

“His master praised him for good work. ‘You have been faithful in handling this small amount,’ he told him, ‘so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.’

“Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, ‘Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.’

“‘Good work,’ his master said. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.’

 “Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, ‘Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned,  so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!’

But his master replied, ‘Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000.  For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For several months now, Greg and I have kept our great-nephew, Nathan, on Mondays and Fridays while his parents work and his older siblings are at school.  Today, Timothy joined us, because he was sent home yesterday with a fever, and children cannot return to school until they are fever-free for 24 hours.  This also happens to be Timothy’s 7th birthday.  So we are spending the day playing with Legos® and other toys, watching movies, reading books, and eating pizza - and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise and “no crust” (Timothy’s personal favorite!).

For today, this is my treasure.  I could choose to pretty well ignore the boys – to plant them in front of the TV and go on about my day.  I could pretend I didn’t hear them when they tell me they are hungry.  I could let 3-year-old Nathan take himself to the bathroom and trust him to wash his own hands afterward (not!) – and even take his own bath and wash his hair himself!  I could get out toys and crayons and set up movies for the children, put a slice of pizza or a cheese sandwich on a plate and say, “You’re on your own.” 

OR, I could spend time working puzzles and chasing the boys with toy airplanes…watching videos and movies on TV…reading books…making sure they have plenty to eat and drink…making them bubble baths and shampooing their hair, and generally letting them know how important they are to us and how much we love them.  The more we “sow into” these boys, the more they will develop into well-rounded children and adults.

My point is that every day, you and I are given responsibility for “treasure” – and today, ours is the nurture and care of these two little boys.  Yours may to be the best student, employee, boss, mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, teacher or spouse that you can be.  You may be retired, and your “treasure” is the investment you sow into people and projects that further God’s kingdom.  You may be sick or injured, and your “treasure” is to uplift and motivate others by your own prayers, encouragement and demonstration of Christian discipleship.

God calls us to make the most of whatever “treasure” He gives us each day.  We are to recognize His gifts and be faithful stewards of them…to make the most of every single blessing and responsibility – even if it involves Legos®, pizza and cheese sandwiches.  So how are you doing today?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for August 11, 2015

Isaiah 5:21
Woe to those who are wise and shrewd in their own eyes!

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I recently viewed a movie called The Ultimate Gift, based on the best-selling book by Jim Stovall.  The synopsis at IMDb.com says, “A deceased billionaire leaves his spoiled adult grandson a series of odd tasks to perform in order to receive ‘the ultimate gift,’ with the resentful grandson having no idea what that might be.”  Even though this movie was released in 2006 – and a sequel, The Ultimate Life, was shown in theaters in 2013 – I encourage you to rent this one and watch it.

I won’t spoil the plot for you, but the twelve gifts this grandfather offers are: work; money (as in how to handle it wisely); unconditional love; friends; laughter; giving; family; problems; learning; dreams; gratitude; and the gift of a day.  A message of Christian faith is subtly woven through this film.  These “gifts” all come with lessons that most of us could probably stand to revisit from time to time.

Too many of us think we are “all that and a bag of chips”…that people care a whole lot more about what we think, say and do than is really the case…that we can talk or buy our way out of any scrape…that there will always be a “rich grandfather” to bail us out of any trouble we encounter. The verses in Isaiah 5 that surround this one say that many think they are “heroes” who can hold large amounts of liquor…take bribes and manipulate the justice system to suit their own agendas…or tell lies and twist things to fit their own beliefs and values.  Have I stepped on any toes yet?

At one point in the movie, the lead character is sitting in a hospital chapel with a little girl, looking at a large statue of Jesus Christ positioned on the altar. He tells the child that he doesn’t know a whole lot about God, but…”I can promise you that those arms are meant for you.” 

While the “gifts” demonstrated in this movie are important…the true “Ultimate Gift” is to dwell in the arms of Jesus…both figuratively in this life…and literally forever in Eternity.  But God has called us to live according to His plans in the meantime…to faithfully and responsibly exercise the 12 “gifts” described here, and to humbly serve Him in everything we say and do.  We are called to take ownership of our words and actions and to make sure that they line up with God’s will and design for our lives.

The challenge for each of us today is to determine what God wants us to do…and get busy doing it!  This movie might serve as a good “starting point” for ideas.  Spending some time in prayer and contemplation is another. Our life is indeed a precious gift from God that demands a level of care and appreciation in direct proportion to its value.  How well are your efforts stacking up these days?  Are you honoring God’s gifts?  Isn’t it time you did?

©2015 Debbie Robus