Month: November 2024

Investing Into the Kingdom!

Today’s reading illustrates an important truth through the Parable of the Ten Servants. In God’s kingdom, there is the expectation of being wise stewards. There is the expectation of investing and caring for what God has entrusted us. There is the expectation of a return. Notice how Jesus illustrates this. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. (Luke 19:15–17, KJV)

Now, in the parable, not all the servants were so respectful of their master and his resources. Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ (Luke 19:20–23, ESV)

As believers, God has entrusted us with the message of the Gospel, with certain gifts and talents. It should be for us as it was for the first servant in the parable, our great desire and passion to manage them for the glory of God and His kingdom—to one day give an accounting and be able to say, “Your pound has gained ten more!” The Christian life is not a side hustle but front and center. Let’s ask, “How do my actions and use of the gifts and talents God has given me advance His kingdom? After all, is there any greater God to serve than King Jesus? 

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 18-19.

The Generous Landowner!

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers teaches an amazing truth about God’s generosity and grace and the shocking entitlement of the human heart. It also shows us that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to those who would enter it, including those who may be in their last moments of life. 

The vineyard’s landowner has been hiring people all day to work in his fields. Some started early in the morning, while others arrived closer to quitting time. Amazingly, the landowner paid all of them a full day’s wage. This did not sit well with those who had worked all day. They assumed they would receive more than those who worked for a shorter time. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ (Matthew 20:11–12, NLT) Those complaining forgot how grateful they were to be hired at the beginning of the day!

Notice the answer of the vineyard owner. But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ (Matthew 20:13–15, ESV) 

Are we not thankful that God’s kingdom functions based on His grace and generosity, not equality? Those who came early to the kingdom should rejoice that they had much time with the Lord of the vineyard. Those who came late should rejoice that they have not been refused. We all should rejoice; truth be told, none of us was worthy, yet we have all partaken of His generosity and grace!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 20-21.

Camels, Needles, & Riches!

Today, the parable of the rich man stood out to me. This rich man in our reading is a moral person, and he wants to know from Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. He wants to make sure all the bases are covered. While he has no concept of the actual righteousness needed to gain eternal life (the righteousness of Christ), he believes he has followed the law perfectly. Notice what Jesus says to him. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21–22, ESV)

What a revelation this must have been for the rich man: his trust was in riches, not God—and yet, what a rejection of true riches for a rich man! Notice what Jesus says to His disciples about the rich: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” … “In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23–25, NLT) As I thought about this, I was reminded of what Jesus said about the poor: And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20, KJV) 

Neither poverty nor riches are the keys to inheriting eternal life; eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, rich or poor. Yet riches present a stumbling block to true wealth. As believers, let us not covet riches, for they can and do pierce people through with many sorrows. Rather, notice what Paul said to Timothy: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19, NKJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Moralists & Sinners!

Today’s reading takes us over some very familiar parables, one of which is of The Pharisee and Tax Collector. Jesus knew the hearts of the people He spoke to; some trusted in their righteousness.  

On the surface, the Pharisee is a moral and upstanding person. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (Luke 18:11–12, ESV) Who wouldn’t want the Pharisee for a neighbor? He is a just person, stays away from adultery, isn’t a cheater, goes to church every Sunday, and gives from his income. 

Then there is the tax collector—a dishonest, unjust, cheating sinner with no time for giving because he is too busy taking. He knows he is an adulterer. Who would want this person for a neighbor? But he has come to a point in life before God where he confesses his sin in great sorrow. He pleads for God’s mercy. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Luke 18:13, ESV)

In this parable, we see that the moralist, an upstanding member of society, is further from the kingdom of God than the tax collector because he trusts in his own righteousness and works to justify himself before God. The tax collector confesses his sins and appeals to God’s mercy. Who can God forgive? The one who asks! What a lesson to stop comparing our righteousness to the actions of others because others are not the standard. The righteousness of Jesus is the standard by which we all, including moralists, fall short. May we all have the humility of the tax collector.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Lazarus, Come Out!

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43, NLT) What a shocking sight this must have been: A man who had been dead for four days walked out of a tomb! It had to be shocking because the next thing Jesus said to those around Him was, “Unwrap him and let him go.” Everyone was too shocked to move when they saw Lazarus come forth!

Now, let’s back up a few verses in today’s reading. At the beginning of John 11, we see that Lazarus was sick unto death. His sisters called for Jesus to come and heal him so that he might not die. However, Jesus intentionally waits. Sadly, Lazarus dies. Was Jesus being cruel to the sisters, Mary and Martha, by allowing him to die? When Jesus finally shows up, they are all mourning their loss. Notice the explanation Jesus gave His disciples for waiting: when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4, ESV)

Which is easier: healing someone from sickness or raising them from the dead? Raising Lazarus from the dead did several things that healing his sickness would not have. Faith was deeply strengthened (John 11:14–15). Additionally, this event kicked off a serious plan to kill Jesus. Many people who saw the resurrection believed in Jesus and did what believing people do: they told others about it. Word reached the religious leaders, and out of concern for protecting the norm, the high priest gave permission to plot the death of Jesus (John 11:47–50). At this point, Jesus is not far from the cross. This was another step in the plan of redemption. 

Why does God allow us to go through trials and tests? He does this to glorify Himself, strengthen our faith, and involve us in the eternal plan He is working out for our good and the good of many around us. Lazarus died so that the plot to kill Jesus could begin. Let’s remember what Paul said about a trial he asked God to remove: Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from John 11.