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““One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Luke 16:10 (ESV)
All that we have for possessions on earth are not truly ours. They have been entrusted to us as stewards for a testing of our faithfulness. If we remain faithful in what God has made us steward over (our finances, our homes, our vehicles, our relationships, serving in the church) we will be counted as one who will be faithful in the spiritual rewards awaiting us in heaven. If we deal dishonestly with or are unfaithful stewards of our earthly, temporal goods, how then will we manage those greater spiritual rewards? Take assessment of what God has entrusted you with and ask yourself honestly: How am I stewarding these?
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
I am sure it was no coincidence that I read from a Bible reading plan just moments ago something that goes right along with today’s verse. God is like that — oftentimes putting the right word, verse, song, person, or event in our lives at the exact moment needed in order that the Holy Spirit might shed light on a spiritual truth to us. I just got done reading a thought about how interesting — and on the same token, sad — it is that the Bible is the most published/printed/produced book in the world yet possibly the least utilized. How many of us have a Bible or even multiple Bibles in our homes or on our phones and tablets, yet fail to read them and apply them to our lives? Many “excuses” are given such as we do not have enough time in the day with our jobs, or children, or medical emergencies. Perhaps some say the Bible is too hard to understand. I think if we are all honest with ourselves, though, today’s verse really cuts to the core of why we allow our Bibles to collect dust. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV) To put it bluntly — the Bible exposes our faults and convicts us in the areas of unrighteousness we are living out in our lives. As humans, we do not like to be told we are doing something wrong, and most of us do not like to invest the time to change or better ourselves, thinking we are “good enough” the way we are. That is a scary mindset to have come judgment day, for the Bible clearly states: “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12 (ESV)
Open God’s Word today and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and convict you of the areas that you need to improve upon. There is no shame at the cross for those who are covered by His blood and His grace and mercy!
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5
What a powerful commandment for us from the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy may be one of those Old Testament books that is often skipped over or otherwise not deeply studied by modern day evangelical Christians due to the rich Mosaic law given by God to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. That is truly a shame for there are powerful truths within this book, truths that are repeated by Jesus Himself in the New Testament when asked what the most important commandment of the law was. Jesus references this passage when He says in Matthew: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Jesus tells us that this is foremost in all the commandments put forth in the Word of God. So, how do we go about loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might? Is God (and subsequently your love for and service to Him) above anything and anyone else in your life? The heart of a person is indicative of their emotions and what drives them in life. Are the desires and drive of your life aligned with the will of the Savior, or are they merely carnal and selfish? Does your soul long to be closer each day and each moment with the God who created you, or are you more concerned with the benefits this world can offer? Keep in mind: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Seek to love God today “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”.
