20-20 Blog

Today’s Bible Reading: Leviticus 20–22; Acts 20

Scripture Focus:

Acts 20: 33–35 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Observation:

This is a succinct description of a generous lifestyle free of greed. Paul didn’t covet “stuff.” He worked to provide for his own needs with enough left over to help others. He followed Jesus’ rule: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Wow. What a life to emulate!

Application:

It’s not a bad idea to take inventory of my own attitudes toward money and things every once in awhile. Or maybe daily. Are things more important to me than people? Than God’s kingdom? Do I provide for my needs and give out of my abundance to help others?

Prayer:

Abba Father, free me from the bondage of “stuff” and provide for my needs so I can be a blessing to others.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 30–32; Acts 8

Scripture Focus:

Exodus 31:13, 17 Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you…It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.

Observation:

The Sabbath is not based on the law of Moses, but on creation. Thus it precedes the law and would probably be considered the most ancient of laws. It is a sign that we are set apart (sanctified) by God, and in it we are to rest and be refreshed.

Application:

In today’s busy world we have a hard time setting aside time to rest and be refreshed and to focus on our relationship with God, but the busier we get, the more we need the weekly reminder that we are set apart for God. And the more we need time for our bodies and minds to rest and be refreshed.

Prayer:

Abba Father, I confess that I’m a workaholic. Even though I do take Sunday off each week as my Sabbath, my mind can still be whirling with business ideas. I long for a Sabbath where I truly rest and am refreshed.

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Genesis 39–41; Luke 16

Scripture Focus:
Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Genesis 39:23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
Genesis 41:40 (Pharaoh says to Joseph) You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.

Luke 16: 10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:13b You cannot serve God and mammon (money).
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said (to the rich man in hell), “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

Observation:
God says a lot about money and prosperity in these passages. (There’s more than I even mentioned here.) Here are some principles I gleaned:
• Prosperity isn’t always the kind you want. God prospered Joseph as a slave and a prisoner—for years—before Joseph was elevated to second in command after Pharaoh.
• God wants us to be faithful with a little before he will trust us with much.
• Prosperity takes second fiddle to God. You can’t serve God and money—putting money first equals idolatry.
• You may never prosper in this life, and that’s okay, too. Lazarus didn’t.
• It’s better to be faithful to God without prosperity than to have prosperity without God because it makes an eternal difference.

Application:
I hear a lot of prosperity teaching in the church, and there is a certain truth to it. God does love to prosper his people. He loves to reward faithfulness and often does. But prosperity is God’s prerogative, and should not be my pursuit. My focus should be faithfulness to God and service to others—even when my circumstances are difficult, even if I never live a life of ease in this life.

Prayer:
Abba Father, keep my focus on you, not on money. May I be found faithful in every circumstance.

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 34—36; Luke 14

Scripture Focus: Luke 14: 12—14

Then He also said to him who invited Him (to dinner),”When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.

Observation:

As I read these words in the car a short while ago (I’m on my way to South Dakota for the funeral of Charlie’s uncle), I thought to myself, “Hmmm. I haven’t done something for the down and out for quite awhile. I should think about what I can do.”

About that time we stopped for lunch at McDonalds. As we were ordering I noticed a man, who was obviously down and out, talking with the manager. I poked Charlie in the ribs and said, “Why don’t we feed him?” Charlie immediately asked the man, “Are you hungry?” Yes, he was. We bought him lunch and Charlie was able to talk with him and pray with him outside the restaurant.

Meanwhile I sat inside McDonalds fighting back tears. I knew God had given us a chance to put his Word into action right away, and I was so blessed I could hardly stand it. How true what the Scripture says: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Application:

Give to those in need who cannot repay you.

Prayer:

Abba Father, give me more opportunities to bless others. Amen.

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