Love God Greatly: Sold Outنموونە
Matthew, as a tax collector for the Romans, made a living from collecting taxes. Tax collectors became rich, often dishonestly, by exploiting their own people to benefit financially. The love of money and desire for material wealth and possessions can often be a stumbling block hindering spiritual desires. Matthew, however, left his job, wealth, and security to follow Jesus.
What worries of this life (money, family, friends, career, home) have you turning your attention from the eternal things of heaven to the material things of this world? When believers place material possessions above our spiritual gifts and eternal inheritance, we will always be left dissatisfied and unfulfilled.
Father God, I thank You for all of the blessings in my life. Lord, help me to be a generous and grateful steward of all which You have blessed me. Teach me, Lord, to focus on eternal, and not temporal, riches and rewards. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
About this Plan
Many can name the cast of their favorite TV show or the full roster of their favorite team. But few Christians know the names of all twelve of Jesus’s disciples. These are the twelve: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him (Matthew 10:2-4). These were the twelve men Jesus chose to become his closest companions and ministers during his three-year ministry. And these are the twelve men whose lives we will be studying in this six-week Love God Greatly study. As it became clear to the disciples who Jesus really is, and as the Holy Spirit came upon them, their faith grew and their passion for their Savior was ignited. They became men who were not only willing to give up family and home but men who were willing to give up their very lives for the glory of Jesus. This did not happen because they were more special than any of us. This is the result of the power of God in them. Men who were fearful became bold. Men who were ignorant became wise. Men who were confused as to where they were to go or what they were to do became clear about their calling. A real encounter with Jesus changes people. As you study these twelve men, look not only at the various experiences these men had and how this close encounter with Jesus changed them but also at how you can be changed as well. So grab your favorite beverage, crack open your Bible, and let’s encounter this same Jesus together, reading and writing what God speaks into our hearts along the way. For more encouragement, join us at LoveGodGreatly.com where you’ll find further insights, community, and content to supplement your time in God's Word!
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