What does extravagant generosity to Jesus look like in our day? In John 12:1-11, Mary dumped $70K worth of perfume on Jesus’ feet. While Jesus doesn’t expect us to do precisely what Mary did, he does expect us to be extravagantly generous. Why doesn’t he expect us to do what Mary did? Mary lived, forContinue reading “What Jesus meant when he said, “You will always have the poor among you” – John 11:46-12:11, Part 4″
Tag Archives: money
Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview
Years ago, I remember listening to a new song thinking, “I don’t think I should be listening to this. It doesn’t seem appropriate…but I’m not sure.” Why was I concerned? Because the song touched on themes that seemed to be getting really close to a line I knew I shouldn’t cross. I felt uncomfortable. AtContinue reading “Should we eliminate desire in our lives? – Ezekiel 14, Preview”
God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5
We conclude this five-part series studying Ezekiel 7 with the final element of the antidote to economic idolatry, as taught by John Wesley: “Give all you can.” If you are earning, and if you saving, as we learned in the previous post, you will have the ability to give generously. Living simply and practicing generosityContinue reading “God doesn’t want you to tithe – Ezekiel 7, Part 5”
The surprising antidote to economic idolatry – Ezekiel 7, Part 4
What is the antidote to economic idolatry? Sometimes I think to myself, “I hate money.” What I mean is that it can seem like life is one long travail of trying earn money. Do you ever long for financial independence, so that you don’t have to think about whether or not you have enough money?Continue reading “The surprising antidote to economic idolatry – Ezekiel 7, Part 4”
When money is worthless – Ezekiel 7, Part 3
My wife, Michelle, and I recently celebrated our 25th anniversary by going out for dinner. As a bonus, we had a gift card! We made a reservation, arrived a few minutes early, and sat down in the lobby, waiting for the hostess to call us for our table. I pulled out my phone to checkContinue reading “When money is worthless – Ezekiel 7, Part 3”
Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1
Economists look back over the last year or so reporting that, in addition to Covid, it has been a unique financial year in other ways. For example, have you heard of Doge Coin? It is a cryptocurrency, a digital form of money, which I don’t have the time or knowledge to try to explain. ThereContinue reading “Doge Coin, NFTs, GameStop and the end of the world! – Ezekiel 7, Part 1”
The Source of True Joy – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 3
If money can’t buy happiness, what can? In the previous post I mentioned that we humans can allow ourselves to believe that wealth is our hope, our savior, our peace, our life. As we continue this week’s five-part blog series on Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, open your Bible and read how the Teacher illustrates this false trust inContinue reading “The Source of True Joy – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 3”
What to do when money keeps you up at night – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 2
I never used to understand how people could struggle with restless nights. I understand now. For a number of years, I’ve battled anxiety and panic, and one of my triggers is money. Will there be enough? Are we saving enough for retirement? Can we do a better job with spending? How can we pay offContinue reading “What to do when money keeps you up at night – Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12, Part 2”
How fantasy football helps us identify as Citizens of God’s Kingdom – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 4
Did you know that Citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven is like fantasy football? When you play fantasy football, you normally draft onto your fantasy team players that are from teams that you don’t root for. All of a sudden, now that they are on your fantasy team, you start being interested in that player. Continue reading “How fantasy football helps us identify as Citizens of God’s Kingdom – Our Identity: Citizens of God’s Kingdom, Part 4”
False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money
Today, as we continue our series on False Ideas that Christians believe, we are fact-checking statements about money and generosity. You can’t out-give God. Give and you will receive. It’s my money; I worked hard for it. Money is the root of all evil. Let’s start with… On the surface, this one is true. GodContinue reading “False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money”
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