There are 3 major sins of wealth.  They are greed, hoarding and covetousness.  

Greed is a strong and selfish desire to have more of something.  Usually this is in the form of money or power.  As a Christian, we are warned about storing up riches in this world.  We also know that everything temporary, including money, will be destroyed some day.  Greed traps people and brings ruin and destruction.  They feel they can never have enough money.

Hoarding seems to be linked with anxiety or with some type of loss.  People have a chronic desire to acquire large amounts of things and have an inability to discard them.

Covetousness is described as when you want something that belongs or belonged to someone else.

All three of the sins above are forbidden if you want to enter the kingdom of heaven.  That’s not something I made up, it’s in the Bible.

So why do people do it?  Possibly selfish reasons.  You can’t be a selfish person and a Christian.  It’s not in the rule book (Bible).

“Give to the needy and the poor,” Jesus said.

Rich or poor, we all have the same responsibility.  We must keep our priorities straight.  We must commit our work to the Lord. We must be good and faithful servants.

It also says in Matthew 19:24, “that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Understand that whatever you have belongs to God.

1 Timothy 6:10 - “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

I’ve spent many years fishing. It’s one of my favorite pastimes. But, just like anything else in life, the more you don’t do it, you’ll lose the techniques of the sport.

It’s all in the cast. I hadn’t realized how long I had been away from fishing, until I went fishing with my niece and her husband last year. I had forgotten all the methods of casting. It took awhile and many lost hooks, but it was a good lesson on how to set the hook, before casting it out.

One definition of cast is to “cause to move or send forth by throwing.”

To use the word ‘cast’ in a biblical sense would be to say to someone, “cast your cares to God.” After all, what good does it do us to keep our burdens buried inside, until they consume our every waking moment.

I’ve found life to be a little easier when I tell God my problems, and let Him know that I can’t do anything about the situation, but I know He can. I know He cares about my cares, my worries.

There may be some instances where you can do something to help the situation. If so, then do it. But if this is something that you’ve been carrying around for a long time, and it’s not getting any better, cast it out to God. He’s waiting to take the bait and take it upon Himself to help you.

Try learning how to cast your cares to God today. It may take a few tries, but it’s worth the lost bait.

1 Peter 5:7 - “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

How long will you remain available and useable by God?

As we know, by the products we purchase at the store, many have a shelf life; a determined date that is suggested to consume the product. Some, if you go beyond its shelf life could be harmful, or just plain yucky.

As a Christian, we are God’s soldiers. We put on our armor, God’s word, and go out each day, ready for what comes our way. We face many battles, emotional, physical and spiritual. Without God’s word as our daily bread, we will fall short of our tasks, to serve people and to share God’s love.

If you fail to follow God’s standards, you become weak in your faith; your confidence lessens, and you find yourself questioning your own choices.

Your shelf life with God is dated, ETERNITY. You are His child forever, if you’ve given your heart to Him. You will never expire. Oh, your fleshly body will fail here on earth, but your heavenly body will go on forever and ever.

Doesn’t that sound like a better choice of life? Choose an eternal shelf life with God today.

You’ll be good for eternity!

Ephesians 5:15-16 - “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Have you ever asked God that question? Really, do you ever wonder what can you do for God?

We’re so busy asking God what He can do for us, and can He answer this prayer, and why is it taking so long for a change to happen?

Imagine what would happen if we just take the time, early in the morning, when you first wake up, and ask God, what can I do for You today God?

Ask God for wisdom and discernment. Tell God to use you in a mighty way today. I know that’s a brave statement and a little scary, but try it. Ask God if you can do something great that will glorify Him; that will make others recognize that God is real.

No one ever reacts well when someone is demanding something from them, but if they ask, ‘what can I do for you?’ You will get a whole different response.

Let go and trust that God’s got good things for you today.

Seek God’s direction and guidance.

Every day, I try to let God know that I don’t know what I’m doing, but I trust that He will guide me and put people in my life that I will bless, and others that will bless me.

Acknowledge our creator and ask Him what you can do for Him today.

Hebrews 4:16 - “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

I remember my first ‘love.’ Well, he didn’t know it right away, but I was smitten by this goofy 6th grader. He made everybody laugh, and was considered the class clown.

Everyone thinks that their first love is going to be this gorgeous person that’s going to be just amazing in every way. Well, that’s usually not the case, and in my 6th grade crush, looking back, it was his boldness, his love for life and his courageous attention stunts that won my heart.

Who’s got your attention these days? Maybe you’re married to your first love, or maybe you’ve finally found the love of your life. Whichever the case may be, it feels like the most amazing part of life so far.

Did you know that there’s something more amazing than your first love? It’s finding God’s love. It’s understanding that God sent His only Son, to earth, to save you and me. This is the greatest love story of all mankind.

When you love someone, you want to give them your everything. Your time, your love and your attention.

When I gave my life to Christ, I gave up my old life, so that I could have a life with Him.

Now my life is full of love. It’s a daily walk with the Creator of the heavens and earth. I’m surrounded by His love every second of every day.

Find Jesus today. He’s waiting to show you the love of a lifetime.

1 John 4:16 - “ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

We’re all distracted from our ‘used to be’ normal life. I get it.

And, I’m sure your attention has been re-focused to the latest happenings in our world. That’s understandable.

Decades ago, when plagues, wars or even pandemics came, there would be several parts of the world where you could say, “well, that’s there, that’s not going to happen where I live.”

Until now. This pandemic is not contained just in other countries, other states or even just cities. It’s everywhere.

And, as people are starting to adjust, some are doing good things, out of the ordinary good things.

After all, there’s a world of captive people, yearning for something good to come of all this.

Church, this is our opportunity to step up and step out.

It’s my fellow Christians’ time to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.

Give them some good truth of how God’s protecting you in this season.

Others are watching us closely to see how we’re responding in this crisis.

Captivate the world by sharing the love of Jesus today!

They’re waiting on pins and needles to see something good today.

2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

We’ve seen stories on the news and tv lately about people doing random acts of kindness. There are people coming out of the woodwork, doing good things; giving their time and money and resources to help people they don’t even know.

This could be good. This could be what America, the world, needs at this time.

These random acts are not going unnoticed. But, then there are still people who are lonely, isolated and scared. So, why not step out of the box and say this one sentence to someone who looks distressed or worried? Can I pray for you?

That simple question could turn their life around. That simple act of kindness could give them just what they needed.

If they answer yes, then ask them how you can pray for them. Be bold, and ask them if they know Jesus. Step out and tell them a life through eternity that Jesus can give them.

We all need Jesus. I can’t imagine a day, hour or second without Him in my life.

Share this love with a stranger. Ask God for help.

Mark 11:24 - “ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

As we start to prepare our gardens for the summer months, some of us start with seeds, urging them on until we see sprouts big enough to take outdoors. Others, like myself, will wait a little while longer and take on the challenge of a summer garden in Kentucky.

I’ve had some success, mainly with flowers, but have tried vegetables over the past few years. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when planning a garden. Will the area have enough sunlight? What about watering? Is it protected by the yard varmints that are lurking in the shadows?

It’s not like you can start your garden, plant the seeds, then sit back and just wait on it to produce a bountiful harvest. You have to work at it; daily! You have to water and most times, fertilize to keep it going.

Just as it is in life. As Christians, we are to spread the news of Jesus and tell of His great love and grace. We might be the one person in a stranger’s life that starts the process, watering the seeds. Then, someone may come along after you, and fertilize. They’ll also tell of Jesus and His plan of salvation. Yet, the man/woman may still be reluctant to come to Christ.

This is all we can do, brothers and sisters. We are to water, and fertilize, yet, we may never see the results.

That’s ok. We can start the process; it’s up to Jesus to see it through.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Tell others about Jesus and how He can save them from a world of hurt and pain. Let Jesus do the rest.

Water, fertilize. The harvest is ripe. Start today.

Matthew 9:37 - “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”