Together - Daily DevotionalSample

What a Relief!

Reading: Acts 11:27-30

Key Verse: “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” verses 29-30

We have seen how our treasures of financial resource can be used to build the house of God. In today’s passage we see how they can be used to relieve poverty and distress. The world can have a tendency to love things and use people. We behave differently because we believe people to be more important than possessions. Paul explained that we should not give so much that we ourselves require relief. Instead, we should all contribute according to our own resources without compulsion or reluctance (2 Cor.8:10-15, 9:6-15). 

Jesus taught that what we treasured would capture our heart. We either devote ourselves to money or to God – we cannot serve two masters. We would either abuse our money or use it for heavenly purposes – and what is more heavenly than relieving poverty by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and educating the illiterate? (Matt.6:19-24, 25:34-46). The problem with the love of money is that the pursuit of wealth can seriously damage our health. Instead we should be, “generous and willing to share” which will accumulate treasure in heaven (1 Tim.6:6-19). 

The rich man totally ignored the needs of Lazarus begging at his gate (Luke 16:19-31). Let us have a different value system!

Prayer: Lord thank you for what You have given me. May I also be generous to others