Month: February 2012

Accountable to God: Day 38

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional2 Comments

February 29, 2012

Today’s Text: 1 Timothy 6:18

Today’s Key Thought: Since I have more, I should do more and give more
Timothy was charged by the Apostle Paul to tell rich people that they should do good. This “do good” is not just the idea of everyday good deeds, this is good deeds that only rich people can do. Rich people have the opportunity to leverage their extra for the sake of others. Rich people have extra. Most people in the world don’t have Saturday & Sunday off. Rich people are rich in options to do stuff. Rich people ask themselves “how to do I fill my extra time?” Rich people say “I will spend my extra on me!” God through Paul says that is NOT “how to be rich”. Those who are rich often regret the extra time spent, but those who do good works for others never come back saying what a time of time it was. God urges rich people to give like only a rich person can give. The same is true of our money as is with our time as rich people we are rich in options for our money. We live in a country that is full of options; new gadgets, new things to wear, new toys to upgrade, and consequently we are tempted do exactly what we are programmed by our society, we spend all our extra money on ourselves. God says spending all your extra money is not how to be rich, it is how to be selfish.

Application:
You are RICH! As a rich person and steward of God’s finances you need to live life with a plan. You need to plan to first commit to give your time. Rich people think ahead and invest. Think through your time, I have ___ weeks off, I will take ___ amount of time and give ___ amount of time away to others. When you do you will find that your heart follows your treasure of time. If you don’t you will look back at a life full of good, medium, and awful movies, parties, vacations and not have lived a life rich in good works. Second you need to commit to give your money as a percentage giver. You need to ask yourself before I spend any on me (leftovers) I will tithe, maybe commit to increase it, give to predetermined charities and give to predetermine ministries. That’s being rich God’s way!

Accountable to God: Day 37

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional5 Comments

February 28, 2012

Today’s Text: 1 Timothy 6:17

Today’s Key Thought: I will not trust in my riches, but in the God that richly provides.
So what was Timothy supposed to command “rich” people to do. He told him to command them not to trust in the creation, but to trust in the Creator.
Let me ask you a question. Which statement would scare you more- “God is no longer on the throne of your life”, or “There is no more money in the bank.”? God knows that the temptation to trust in the stuff we have been given grows as we get more and more. So the command is very simple. Don’t trust in your riches. They are fleeting.
Instead we are being called to put our trust in God. Think about it- He is the one who owns it all anyway, and He can provide for you!
Application:
Are you tempted to put your confidence in your bank account, job, or investments? Don’t trust in stuff. Trust in God!

Accountable to God: We’re Rich!

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional5 Comments

February 27, 2012

Today’s Text: 1 Timothy 6:17

Today’s Key Thought: God has blessed me with more than I need, I’m rich.

We are living during an economic downturn. Have you heard? It seems like it is all over the news doesn’t it. But yet, at the same time we’ve got to know that God has blessed our Nation in an incredible way. We have so much. In fact, in the Bible the person who had more than they needed for the day was considered rich. In most of the world there are so many people who go into each day just trying to survive.
In today’s text Paul tells Timothy to command or admonish those who are rich. We’re going to be looking at this passage of scripture all week long, and if we are going to get the most out of it we have to understand who it is talking about. A 2003 Gallup poll found that although only 2% of Americans describe themselves as rich, 31% said they thought it was very or somewhat likely they would be rich one day. That number jumped to 51% for 18 to 29-year-olds — and plunged to a sobering 8% for Americans 65 and older. According to Gallup, the public’s median definition of “rich” was an income of $120,000 — or assets of $1 million. The same question was asked of money-savvy MSN Money readers, and a majority of the more than 11,000 who responded felt that they would need at least $5 million to consider themselves rich. Those who earned less than $30,000 thought that a household income of $74,000 would qualify as rich.Those who made $30,000 to $50,000 said an income of $100,000 would be rich. And people in the top half of earners were more likely to say that an income of $200,000 earns you the right to the R word.
The point that I want to make with these statistics is that “rich is a moving target.” None of us think we are rich, because we always want more than we have. In today’s text, Paul isn’t telling them Timothy to command those who have a certain income. He was telling Timothy to talk to those who have more than they need for today. Most of us in this country have more than we need for today. We have been blessed by God, because ultimately everything good you have has come from God.
Application:
Today just needs to start with this admission. “I’ve been given more than I need. I’m rich.” When was the last time you thanked God for the things that you have? Take a few minutes to thank God for all the blessings He’s given you.

iMission’s Interview with Richie Orrick

On By Ben JenningsIn MissionsLeave a comment

In the month of March, my church has our annual Mission’s emphasis.  This year we are really wanting to help people take missions very personally.  As a part of this we are doing a series of interviews with some of the missionaries we support.

In this week’s interview I talk to Richie Orrick.  He is a new missionary to the country of Wales.  He is a good friend of mine, and is an incredible minister of the gospel.  Take a few moments to hear our conversation below.