Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”(Luke 14:33)
I must confess that I misunderstood the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14 for many years. Within the context of declaring the extreme terms of discipleship, He slips in two stories that explain why the terms are so costly.
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him—but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:16–20)
Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy person? A righteous person who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.(Proverbs 20:6–7 NASB)
Daniel 6:4 (NASB) says: “Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.”
I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.(1 Chronicles 29:17)
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.(1 Timothy 6:7–8)
Contentment is something we must learn. It isn’t a trait we’re born with. But the question is how? In 1 Timothy 6, we find a couple of very practical answers to that question:
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.(Philippians 4:11–12)
Even in a prosperous economy, most of us feel like nothing more than members of the debt set. So when somebody mentions that there is a way to strengthen our grip on money, we’re listening.
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.(1 Peter 2:11–12)
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.(1 Thessalonians 4:1–5)
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?(1 John 3:17)
Going to the statement found in Hebrews 10:24, we are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” In other words, we are to give thought to specific ways we can lift up, affirm, and help others. God’s commands are not theoretical—especially those that relate to people in need.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.(Hebrews 10:25)
Certainly there is more to encouragement than a smile and a quick pat on the back. We need to realize just how valuable it really is.
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