Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. We enjoyed Teen Challenge at our church yesterday and so miraculous what the Lord does in so many of their lives. Today Al and I have our annual checkups at the Doctor so have to miss my exercise class etc.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Greed is very evident in our culture today, where people want more and more, far beyond actual needs. Growing up it was never about the money, but more how much could be given for the Lord’s work. When we were young my folks lived within a tighter budget, but through the years dad was successful and put all of us through Christian school and college. They could have moved to the fancier suburb of Edina, but they remained in their modest two-bedroom house in south Minneapolis. Al and I, on the other hand, went to our first church and were fortunate enough to move into the large parsonage, but we were probably the poorest family in Edina. If I remember correctly: after surviving seminary on a part time salary, we had only three hundred dollars in our bank account when we moved to our first house…but we always had enough.

In Prov. 28:25 it says, “A greedy person stirs up a fight, but whoever trusts the Lord prospers.” We are probably all tempted by greed at times, but a good way to keep it from overtaking us is to give to others from a generous heart. We can give more than money: we can give of our time, acts of kindness, showing appreciation and encouragement to others who serve us, etc. The more we give away the less we will be tempted by greed. Jesus told the crowd in Luke 12:15, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.

The more we give away, the more room we have for joy to fill us. I remember my folks so excited as they took a trip to see a missionary family home on furlough that they had supported each month. They were thrilled that they could give to their needs and to further the gospel. We might ask ourselves when we see others getting a new car or boat, etc.: do thoughts come to us that we would be happier if we had one too? Or do we rather give generously to the youth going on a mission trip? Let us have a generous spirit, and as Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessings. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you any ways that you are greedy, and give to others from your heart.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy