Grace and Giving

October 25

(Acts 20:33-35 NIV) “I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. {34} You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. {35} In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

(Mark 10:17-23 NIV) ““As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" {18} "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. {19} You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" {20} "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." {21} Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." {22} At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. {23} Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!””

(2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NIV) “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, {4} they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. {5} And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. {6} So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. {7} But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Paul calls the Ephesians to display a proper attitude toward money and possessions. We would be wise to hear his call as well. Resist the covetousness that is prevalent in modern culture. It is the tap root of greed, envy, and theft. The silver, gold, and clothing of others is of no interest to those living in God’s Kingdom. We are called to work for our daily bread. By the grace of God, our hands supply our own needs, and the needs of others. Kingdom people are giving people, not taking people. The sense of entitlement we see today is a product of living on the wide road to destruction. Those on the narrow road that leads to life, will excel in the grace of giving. Seeking treasure in heaven, they will be richly generous with ministry and money. They know that more blessing is found in giving than in receiving. This was the attitude of Jesus. Is it your attitude? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Grace and Holiness

October 24

(Acts 20:32 NIV) "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

(Romans 15:15-16 NIV) "I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me {16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."

(1 Corinthians 1:2-4 NIV) "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours: {3} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. {4} I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."

(Hebrews 12:14 NIV) "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Paul speaks here of receiving sanctification through being built up in the word of God’s grace. Sanctification is being made holy. Sanctification and holiness are interchangeable words. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit when we are saved by grace, through faith. But then we are called by God to grow in grace -- to grow in holiness. This takes effort on our part. Many today want God’s grace, but balk at doing the work of pursuing holiness. We want the inheritance that God promises, without having to be in a relationship that changes our lives. We want the benefits of sanctification, without the discipline of living a life apart from sin. We can never achieve perfection here on Earth, but we should strive toward holiness as we endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to God. We are called to become more and more like our Master as we daily grow in grace and holiness. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Enemy Within

October 23

(Acts 20:30-31 NIV) “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. {31} So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

(2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV) “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. {3} In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

Paul the apostle understood human nature. He knew that there would always be some who were more interested in having a following, than in doing the following. They would be far more interested in gathering disciples than in making disciples. It’s an ego thing, and it’s always divisive and harmful. Some people just have the need to control others, and they will even distort the truth (which is lying) in order to gain influence and exert power. Watch out for these false teachers, but moreover, be careful you don’t become one of them. Most of us need correction at times. Be honest about your errors and failings. Do what it takes to correct your course… if you are off course and have followers, then they are off course too, and you are responsible for their souls. So watch yourself, and be on guard. Heed Paul’s warning. Keep your eyes on Jesus and not the crowd. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shepherds of the Church

October 22

(Acts 20:28-29 NIV) “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. {29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.”

(Matthew 10:16-20 NIV) “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. {17} Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. {18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. {19} But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, {20} for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

(1 Peter 5:1-11 NIV) ““To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: {2} Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; {3} not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. {4} And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. {5} Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. {7} Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. {8} Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. {11} To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.””

Paul and Peter called on elders to protect their flocks, but every disciple of Jesus should be prepared to help with this. Paul tells them to “keep watch” over themselves. You cannot lead others to Jesus if you yourself are not being led by Jesus. You cannot teach what you have not learned. Do what it takes to get strong and stay strong. God has called us to defend His sheep against “savage wolves”. The battle is not over just because we said the “sinner’s prayer” one Sunday. Believers will be attacked by the Enemy. Satan is like a roaring lion who roams the Earth looking for someone to devour. That someone may be your child, your mate, your friend, or your neighbor. Are you prepared to take on the wolves and lions, or will you tuck tail and run when you hear their snarls? Put on the armor of God. Be ready to fight the good fight. With training, we can all help protect the flock. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day