Family devotions - Worse Than An Unbeliever? - 1 Timothy 5:8

1 Timothy 5:8             If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Money can be a terribly divisive thing. In my many years as a pastor, I've sadly seen families falling out over wills, estates, property, and heirlooms. I’ve seen an old man give up his home because his stepchildren forced him out. I've known of an old lady being duped of all of her finances by a greedy nephew. I've seen divorces destroy partners because of money. And I’ve also known of families forcing other relatives to give up their rights of inheritance because of greed.

These types of wickedness (because that’s what these are) always astound me. I grew up in poverty, so money and possessions don’t mean a lot to me. I’m also just a pilgrim who is travelling through this world, so earthly objects don’t possess me. When it’s my turn to go, my loved ones will have what I presently own. I won’t be needing them any longer. And even if I could, I won’t be wanting to take them with me either.

Paul’s admonition to Timothy which we can read in today’s passage (1 Timothy 5:1-15) is about caring for our loved ones and relatives. Providing for our families is of prime importance; if we neglect to do this then, according to Paul, we have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers. That’s a harsh and severe judgment. However, it makes me wonder if those who duped loved ones or greedily pressed others to give up their rights will ever get to Heaven. It seems to me that Jesus also covered this with His ‘camel through the eye of a needle’ story.

So what’s the lesson for today? Simply this: Practice our faith by providing for our families. Sounds like good advice to me.

Questions for personal reflection

Does greed ever get the better of me? If so, how does it affect my faith and family relationships?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to be better Christians by providing for our loved ones. Keep us from being greedy and enable us to support our families when they are in need. Be with us and bless us this day. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest in a new art series called ‘Art Gecko.’ This one is called ‘Geckosville.’ If you would like to view a large image, please click on the following link:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/12579159574_ab150d742a_b.jpg

Stewardship devotion: Excelling in Giving - 2 Corinthians 8:7

Today’s readings: Judges 9:7-21 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-12

2 Corinthians 8:7       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.

We've just completed a new stewardship campaign at our church called Consecration Sunday. A lot of hours, effort, and focus were put in by members of the Stewardship Team, along with prayers and presentations. It was a very upbeat method of helping the members of the congregation to think about not just what they give, but also how and why they give. I think most of the good folks bought into the aspect of honoring God with their financial commitment. There were no guilt trips or undue pressure put upon the people, so we’ll find out if this approach has worked in the weeks to come.

Most pastors, like myself, worry about giving, especially in uncertain economic times. Added to the burden is the sad fact that folks are beginning to adopt a laissez-faire attitude to church all across society. People say that they are spiritual and thankful to God, but it sometimes does not manifest itself into regular worship and giving. Taking God for granted has always been a part of the human condition; these days it appears as though more people are majoring in self and minoring in God, forgetting that we live as creatures in His Creation.

Giving money, giving our time, and giving our hearts to God shows others that our faith is actually real. Being a Christian is the hardest faith on the planet because it requires commitment, devotion, and loyalty to Christ above everything else. As human beings, we all have skills, pursuits, activities, and gifts that we excel in; the tough question that we should be asking ourselves this morning is this: do we also excel in giving?

Questions for personal reflection

What do I give to Christ through the church? Am I excelling in giving?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You are the greatest gift in the history of the world. For our sake, You left the riches of Heaven and became part of a poor refugee family on Earth. For our sake, You gave everything that You had, including Your precious life, on the Cross at Calvary. Without Your gift, we would be cut off from God forever. By Your blood, Your Church was established to continue Your mission on Earth. Challenge us today, so that we may cheerfully, faithfully, and exceedingly give to You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question about today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest Nativity images called “Bethlehem Lullaby.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/10916628304_9c9bf3f08f_b.jpg

Stewardship Devotion: Christian Compassion - Psalm 118:26

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.      Psalm 118:26

I like to think that churches are all blessings to the communities where they reside. I know that when I was growing up in a deprived area of Glasgow, Scotland, the local churches had various programs, Sunday schools, and services that meant a lot to my family and friends.

In our own congregation, I have also seen that same blessing at work among the lives of our people. Whenever there is a crisis, illness, or sadness, our church people rally to kindly, lovingly, and compassionately support those in need. It’s a wonderful way to express our living faith; it’s a beautiful blessing to bestow on other people.

Question: How does my giving empower the church to become a blessing to other people?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your churches and people all over the world. May we and they be a blessing to others in need of faith, hope, and love. Amen.

Stewardship Devotion: Stewardship Season

Matthew 6:1   “Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Like most churches, it’s Stewardship Season in our congregation. For six weeks, we are all supposed to focus upon what we give to God through the local church. Each Sunday, church members give testimonies about why they support the congregation and how they feel drawn closer to God by the worship, fellowship, and faithfulness at Erin.

The same sorts of stories are being told all over the land. Churches are gathering centers of like-minded people who pool their resources together in order to become effective vehicles of Christ’s ministry and mission at home and abroad. Stewardship is a key element to the impact that any church makes on the surrounding community. Without the money that people give, without the resources that people offer, Christ’s work could not be done.

At our church, people are given an annual invitation to re-make a personal financial pledge to the congregation. Even in tough economic times, Erin Christians are still willing to make money commitments to sustain the work that Christ has asked us to accomplish. It’s very humbling and uplifting to see the pledges coming in from all different sorts of folk. The people who pledge are making an investment in the future of the church and making a difference in the world. They look for no reward or public recognition; they give for all of the right reasons – to glorify God and to support Christ’s mission.

The challenge for all of us who are reading this today is this: have we prayed about our financial commitment to God’s work this year? Are we willing to invest our money and resources in the future work of our church, so that Christ’s ministry may continue to be worshipped, honored, and supported through our faithful giving and generous love?

Prayer:                       Lord Jesus, You call us to be disciples of Your way, messengers of Your truth, and stewards of Your life. Open our eyes to Your work in our church; open our minds to Your mission in our community; and open our pockets to Your purposes for our congregation. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Lighthouse drawings called “Guiding Light.” You can view a larger version of this picture at the following link: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6290707518_a96fd3c801_b.jpg

Stewardship Devotions: The Swan Pond - Ecclesiastes 11:1

Ecclesiastes 11:1       Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 

Some of the simplest joys that I can remember of living in Scotland were the times when Evelyn and I would take our two daughters to Culzean Castle to feed the birds at the Swan Pond. It was always wonderful to watch our girls smile, laugh, and be happy as they threw the bread to the beautiful swans.

The swans knew what to expect and they would majestically glide across the water to feast on the bread. Usually a number of mallard and tufted ducks would try to get into the action, but because of their bigger size, the swans would get most of the bread. As the sun shone on the water and we heard the giggles and laughter of our girls, life felt so good.

I wonder what bird-less waters that the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote about. Whenever we threw the bread on the Swan Pond waters, everything was soon eaten. If we went back there in three hours time, we would find nothing left, so this verse puzzles me.

I’ve heard people use this verse, including some preachers, to encourage others to give their money to God because it would be returned to them. I also know that some people claim this to be true, but I wonder about their motive for giving in the first place. If we give to God because we want to get something in return, is that an offering or bargaining? Isn’t it more Christian to give without expecting anything in return, in order to live by Christ’s teaching that “it is far better to give than to receive,” as the Apostle Paul pointed out? (Acts 20:35)

So, by all means, let’s cast our resources upon the living waters of Christ and His Church, but let’s also not look for anything in return. After all, aren’t the complete forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life more than enough?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for giving everything of Yourself so that we may be restored to God’s eternal love. Help us to give what we can of our time, talents, and money to those needful opportunities that will come our way this week. Enable us to do this selflessly so that You will receive all the glory and honor for the good deeds and charitable giving that we do in Your Name. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s wildlife drawings called “Swan Pond.” If you would like to see a larger version of it, then please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4373092333_3d5cd56d51_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Faith for Hard Times

In these uncertain economic times, how can our Christian faith help us?

1 John 5: 4 …for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Podcast version here

Because of the economic uncertainty, a lot of people are unsure about their future and feel insecure about themselves. These are tough times to be living in, but not as harsh as the past. A key element in surviving turbulent times lies in how much investment we make to our faith. Past generations of Christians have come through much worse, so there must be something special about our belief in Christ that enables us to persevere, endure, and overcome our troubles.

Faith helps us to overcome our fears. We are not alone because Christ is always with us and His Church seeks to support us. People who have a faith community usually do better than those who go it alone. They find that their Christian connections build up their esteem, their confidence, and their strength. For instance, to have others in prayer for us during critical times is like having a small army of resourceful people on our side.

Attending church and worshipping regularly during tough times gives us both discipline and focus. Our spirits are strengthened by the teachings we receive. Our confidence is boosted by belonging to a group of people who share similar beliefs. And the friendship, fellowship, and love of true Christians are powerful aids that enable us to overcome trying moments in our lives.

Inspiration can also be acquired by focusing on our faith. The Bible is not just a history book; it’s a guidance manual for getting through tough times. It’s a spiritual survival course that relates to just about every incident or event that we can ever experience. The richness of the psalms, the wisdom of proverbs, and the hopefulness contained in the Gospels grants us all some wonderful information and insights, letting us know that God is in control and that we are very important to Him.

The teaching of the Bible in both Old and New testaments has stood the test of Time. For thousands of years people have been moved and motivated, spurred on and encouraged by God’s holy words. There’s always something that we can glean from a familiar Bible story or a Gospel passage that will give us the guidance we need. It’s also amazing how often a Sunday School lesson or a pastor’s sermon will speak to us at the right time, giving us assurance, advice, and assistance.

Hope, faith, and love help us through bad times, as well as the good. By taking the time to focus on our faith in the midst of our present circumstances, we will discover several useful gifts - strength and determination, character and perseverance, endurance for the present and hopefulness for the future. In Christ, we live an abundant life at all times. In His word, we find our way. Through His love, we rediscover our lives.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for bringing us to faith and helping us to believe in Your words, Your ways, and Your works. In these uncertain times, assure us that Your promises are powerful, Your guidance is always good, and Your salvation is our strength. In Your Holy Name, we gladly and confidently pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Where Best to Invest

Now is not the time to invest in stocks; now is the time to invest in church.

John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

In these uncertain times, we are all faced with financial worries and concerns about money. For some, it seems to be that saving for the future is futile because the financial market is on a catastrophic roller coaster. For others, the worry about losing their jobs and busting their career goals seems imminent. Hardship and recession, anxiety and depression are lurking everywhere. There just doesn’t seem to be any end to the uncertainty and, across the country, millions of families are trying to make ends meet.

How long this economic downturn will last, no one knows. So where can we invest our resources, time, and talents in something that will have a lasting effect and will endure for the rest of our lives? I think that the answer is simply this: our churches.

Now I know what you’re thinking: just because I’m a pastor, I’m bound to say this to make sure that the church survives this crisis. But that’s not the case. What I’m saying is this: in these uncertain times we should draw closer to God, to let the broken world see that our faith can overcome the worst of times. If we are just fair-weathered Christians who believe in God when things are going well, then our faith is shallow. However, if we continue to praise God and support Christ’s ministry during tough times, then our faith will be tested, tried, and turn out to be deeper than we have ever known.

During different crises in the past, the Church continued to flourish because it was needed to help heal and support those who were broken in the world. At the time of the Black Plague, many churches became hospitals in Europe. After the Reformation, the Church combated ignorance and poverty by setting up parish schools for young people, to make something better of themselves through the power of knowledge and education. And during the last Great Depression, churches ran soup kitchens, clothing centers, and support groups that enabled small communities and many families to overcome the hardship of the times.

In these uncertain times, we need to invest in the Church, because the Church ultimately brings out the best in humanity through faith, hope, and love to the many people who are struggling.

The Christ we serve is the Lord of all Compassion. So let’s use these times as an opportunity to show the world who Jesus is, by investing in our churches and applying our faith in meaningful and supportive ways.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the world is hurting and our economy is struggling. People that we know have lost their jobs, whilst others are losing their hard-earned savings. In the midst of all this uncertainty, let Your Church become a constant haven of salvation and support, kindness and compassion, charity and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: Lucky Charms

Isaiah 46:7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.

When I was at High School all the girls used to wear silver bracelets with lucky charms. The charms were made up of tiny bells and lamps, carriages and locks, precious stones and symbols. The bracelets were beautiful, but I wonder how much good luck they actually brought to the girls who wore them.

For thousands of years, humanity has fashioned silver and gold into millions of lucky charms. Some of the earliest archaeological finds are fertility and prosperity charms shaped into bracelets, necklaces, and amulets. People of every place, age, and civilization want to be rich and happy, prosperous and wealthy. These days, you’ll even find lucky charm symbols on our coins, notes, and lottery tickets!

The Bible constantly reminds us that our lives are not subject to fate or luck. Our lives are given to us by God. If we are prosperous, we bless Him for our successes. If we are in trouble, we look to Him for salvation. And when at last, we leave the surly bonds of earth, we look to God to grant us everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Deliverer, and our Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the world tries to tell us how to be a successful winner in life, but Your Gospel reminds us that even if we owned the whole world, but lost our soul in the process, we would gain nothing eternally. In these uncertain times, remind us that we will not always be in this world, and that Your word is more precious than silver or gold. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: Simply Serving

Why do we, as Western Christians, feel entitled to God’s blessings? Are we meant to serve or be served by God?

Luke 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

They could have felt divinely entitled and fully excused of their religious commitments. After all, Joseph and Mary were charged with the responsibility of protecting, raising, and rearing Jesus, the Son of God, so they could have been given some slack.

Instead, they chose to fulfill what the Law of the Lord required – offering a sacrifice, presenting Christ to the Lord in the Jerusalem temple, and having Him circumcised. They decided to show how dedicated they were and how honored they felt at being chosen for this holiest of callings. They would not claim any special bonuses or blessings from God. They would not demand that their wants be met or their commitment be recognized. They would simply submit to the Lord and remain grateful for the privilege they had been given.

Sadly, in our sophisticated Western Christianity, I see much of the reverse. Mega-church preachers and TV evangelists proclaim a Gospel of entitlement, success, and prosperity. Thousands of people turn up with their notebooks each week to glean words that will give them the scriptural secrets to making their dreams come true. Millions of viewers tune in to listen to this type of glossy Good news in order to make them feel better about their lives. There’s a sickness in their souls and a Gospel of greed possesses them. They want to be empowered, encouraged, and entertained, not confronted, challenged, or changed.

Joseph and Mary endured many hardships and experienced deep sorrows for accepting God’s call. They endured the scorn of their community when people first realized that Mary was pregnant. They experienced humiliation when they couldn’t find a place to have their baby born. They had to leave their country behind to go and become political refugees in Egypt. Even when they eventually returned to Nazareth, Joseph may have died young, leaving Mary to raise Jesus and the rest of the family. And finally Mary had to watch her grown Son die in a shameful, horrific, and painful way.

They accepted their calling and never felt entitled to health, wealth, or success. They served God fully and faithfully, doing what they were told and honoring Him. They sought service over success, sincerity over insecurity, and willingness over wealth. God chose them perfectly and wisely because they had the potential, character, and commitment to do what pleased Him.

There’s a lesson here for all of us and the challenge is this – are we willing to serve or be served? Is our faith all about God or about us? We know what the answers should be, but are we ready to let God make what could be with our lives?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the examples of faith, commitment, and service that Mary and Joseph showed in the past. Enable us to embrace that kind of holy calling and sacred service to You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: God is Our Future

The economic crisis and stock market meltdown makes us all feel uneasy. Where is God in these uncertain times?

Podcast version here

Psalm 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Economically, people are hurting all over the world. The stock markets are fluctuating wildly; businesses are closing down; unemployment is at an all time high for decades. There just doesn’t seem to be a lot of hope going around and some of us are wondering what we should be thankful for this year.

Spiritually, people are also hurting around the world. When uncertainty creeps into our society, God becomes a scapegoat for our frustrations and fears, our anxieties and anger. How can He allow all of this suffering to continue? Why doesn’t God do something about it? With all of His power, He could straighten things out and let us all lead healthy, wealthy, and successful lives.

But then we would just become puppets and wouldn’t know freedom. We wouldn’t experience triumph over hardship, or even learn from our mistakes. Each day would be the same and eventually, in my opinion, all of our feelings – good or bad – would shut off entirely.

So what does God do about uncertain times? How does He help us overcome our present troubles?

God abides within us, giving us guidance and encouragement, as well as granting us mercy and grace. It may seem trite to some people, but for those who maintain a strong spiritual connection to God, it is a wonderful blessing. Our future is in God’s hands; in fact, God is our future. As Christians, we look forward to an amazing day when we will be with God. Jesus, our Savior, has given us an everlasting opportunity to enter God’s Kingdom here on earth. Stock markets may rise and fall; jobs may come and go; but the love of God endures forever.

Prayer: Lord God, everything seems to be changing in our world, and at times we are fearfully anxious. Help us to cling to Your promises and allow us the holy experience of Your comforting presence in our hearts, minds, and souls. We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord forever. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Taking Stock

The financial markets are free falling. This reminds of what is stated on our dollar bills: In God We Trust.

Podcast version here

Psalm 98:2 The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

In the midst of all this financial turmoil in the market and across the world, it is perhaps time to remind ourselves that our salvation does not come from money, and that our security is not established by the number of stocks that we own. If we look at any dollar bill, we will read the plain words “In God We Trust.” It was put on our currency to remind us that money is just a means to buy and sell things, but it is not what we as human beings need to trust. After all, as the old saying goes, “You can’t take your money with you.”

I guess a lot of people are on the verge of panicking right now. They’re seeing their lifetime savings, pensions, and 401Ks being depleted as the market plummets. It’s a harsh reminder that our security cannot be guaranteed by what we possess. Our salvation belongs to God and our lives are His alone.

Sometimes we get ensnared by what we have, instead of recognizing who we truly are. Human beings were created long before money, currency, stocks and shares appeared on the scene. We were not made to be possessed by our possessions; rather we were created to enjoy God’s creation. If we place too much value on our financial worth, we lose our spirituality. It’s no accident that the Bible states that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil.’ If we become obsessed with what the markets are doing, we are in danger of losing our grasp of God. Money may make the world go around, but the Lord God sustains the entire universe.

It’s time to let go of our fears and let God increase our faith. It’s time to place our trust in Him and not the banks, the markets, or the stock exchange. Things may be difficult for a while, but they are not disastrous. God has created enough resilience and creativity within all of us to overcome these troubles.

Prayer: Father God, help us to let go of our losses and hold on to the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. Teach us to trust in You and keep us from equating our lives to the things we possess. Enable us to put Jesus at the center of our lives and help us to value ourselves through the strength of our relationship with Him. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Uncertain Times

During the present economic crisis, it's time to remind ourselves that our trust is in God, and not in greed.

Podcast version here

Psalm 77:8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?

We are living in uncertain times and we are all anxious about the economy. It seems that we have just about outlived our greed, and that we will all be tightening our belts and becoming more frugal about how we spend our money. I even saw a report the other day that teenagers are beginning to reject designer label clothing. Instead, they are starting to buy cheaper items in an effort to reject hyper-commercialism, in order to save their own money. That, in itself, is a sign of a more frugal society which will affect our economy.

We’ve all been here before. In every society and civilization, there is a time when profligate spending and financial speculation comes to an end. It usually coincides with a religious revival because people begin again to trust more in God rather than the economy. It’s a reality check on using greed to succeed. It’s usually replaced with integrity, frugality, and, oddly enough, generosity. Instead of thinking about what’s best for the individual, people become more altruistic and philanthropic. Instead of investing capital to gain more interest, people become more interested in community projects, charity organizations, and those in need.

That’s when we recognize that God’s love never fails. Economies and civilizations come and go, but the love of God, which is in and around us, remains. Instead of focusing upon where the market is each day, we recognize that each day is a gift from God. We give of ourselves in ways that glorify the goodness of God, instead of the greed of the market.

Perhaps you’re worrying and fretting over your finances today, and are wondering what to do about the economic crisis. This is the perfect time to come to God and ask His guidance, seek His presence, and acknowledge His sovereignty over the situation. Eventually, the market will sort itself out, but if we make and take time to place ourselves under God’s bidding, we will discover that our faith is stronger than the economy because faith, hope and love endure forever.

Prayer: Lord God, in these uncertain times, You are the Rock of refuge and the Anchor of our salvation. Help us to take time to ponder on Your influence over our lives, and see Your guidance over what’s happening in the world. Give us hearts that are full of hope and spirits that are encouraged by Christ. In Jesus’ Name, we mightily pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.