Daily Devotions

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 As long as Jesus Christ embodies a radical freedom from the love of things and a deep delight in the service of others, then those who get their joy in life from luxury rather than love will not be able to receive Jesus for who he really is. “How hard it is for … Read more

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the … Read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 Let’s sum up, then, the two parables of the chapter. In verses 1-13 Jesus told a parable to make the point that we should use our money shrewdly—not as the world counts shrewdness, but shrewdly for the advancement of the gospel in the lives of more and more people so that they will receive … Read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 What would be the counterpart to this attitude in the church today? It would be professing Christians who read these parables and say, “I am an eternally secure child of God. I am justified by faith alone. Don”t tell me that the way I use my money could jeopardize my eternal destiny.” The … Read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 In verses 19-31 Jesus tells another story about money. Verse 19 presents us with a rich man who used his money to put the finest clothes on his back and the finest foods on his table every day—”clothed in purple and fine linen and feasting sumptuously every day.” In verses 20-21 we meet a poor … Read more

My shortest summary of Christian Hedonism is: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. We all make a god out of what we take the most pleasure in. Christian Hedonists want to make God their God by seeking after the greatest pleasure—pleasure in him. By Christian Hedonism, we do … Read more

It is important to sort out in your mind what is tithing and what isn’t. Technically, tithing isn’t giving; the tithe, ten percent, is the Lord’s share in the covenant. We get ninety percent. The Lord says He’ll not only make up that ten percent, He’ll see to it that we prosper. What about giving … Read more

The most complete passage in the Bible on tithing is in Malachi 3:8-12. (MSG – Bold emphasis mine) 8 “Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. “You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’ “The tithe and the offering—that’s how! 9 And now you’re under a curse—the whole … Read more

Being in alignment with God’s order starts with the tithe, ten percent. The principle of the tithe precedes, penetrates and exceeds the Law. Abraham—the model of  a person who learns to walk in faith, not in the resources of human wisdom—tithed (Genesis 14:20). Jesus reinforces the concept of the tithe in Matthew 23:23. It is absolutely wrong … Read more