May 14 | Acts 5:1-11

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DAILY READING

Acts 5:1-11

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REFLECTION

Free From a Deathly Greed

by Dan Kidd

Today's passage is a jarring one. Ananias, a member of the earliest, burgeoning church community, following the model of others, went to Peter, after having sold some property, and laid the proceeds at his feet. But not all of the proceeds. Ananias had held some back for himself and his wife Sapphira. Peter, presumably informed by the Holy Spirit, identifies the deception of Ananias not only as a lie against Peter and the church community, but against the Holy Spirit. Ananias then fell to the ground dead. Some time later Sapphira came to Peter and repeated the lie about keeping back some of the proceeds, Peter repeated his admonishment about conspiring against the Holy Spirit and she too passed right away.

As we've encountered over the last several weeks in our "Free!" series, the Bible has a great deal to say about wealth, treasures, and the pursuits and use of money. Today's passage is a stark illustration of these warnings in practical terms. Certainly, it is exceptionally rare that someone's greed causes them to immediately drop dead like in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. But, that's not because all other greed is less deadly. It's simply that greed usually kills us far more slowly and agonizingly. Instead, often our love of money and our pursuit of riches snare us and leave us to waste away in their grip. Our envies thieve our joy from us. Our discontented bellies crave more as they swell. Ananias and Sapphira were but canaries in the coal mine, and for those who are not set free from the clutches of greed, suffocation looms heavy.

And this is why we need, so desperately, to be set free! Free from our discontent. Liberated from our fear of scarcity or the unpredictable. Unchained from our impulsivities and cheap delights. And instead, saved and gradually transformed into citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, daughters and sons in the family of God, full of love and joy, of peace and patience, able to forebear our trials, be kind, good, and faithful, being gentle and self-controlled. Christ is the antidote to the deathly venom of the sin of greed. And as often as we find ourselves once again with our eyes fixed on earthly treasures, let it be that we would turn again to gaze upon Jesus and receive his freedom to live as we created to live--content, provided for, and at peace in him.

PRAYER

Lord, we confess that the treasures of this world can be tempting to us for many reasons. And so, we turn to you to provide for us, so that we would not fear scarcity. We seek your peace and the self-control that your Spirit imbues. We bless your name in gratitude for the things that you have given us, that our eyes would not shift to look at what is not ours to have. Keep us safe, Lord, from near to you on the path of your Way, and lead us not into the piercing grief of greed.

May 13 | 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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DAILY READING

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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REFLECTION

Glory upon Glory

by Pr. Dave Mann

Consider yourself as one of the Israelite community. Imagine witnessing the plagues cast upon Egyptians – the Nile turned to blood, the gnats, the grasshoppers, the hail, the death of the firstborn, etc. (Exodus 8-10).  Remember the parting of the waters of the Red Sea to let the Israelites pass through, then coming back together with force to drown the Egyptian soldiers (Exodus 14)? Formidable! And then remember God’s provision of water, manna, and quail in the wilderness (Exodus 16 & 17)? Truly inspiring!

But even more wonderful than all those experiences was when Moses, our leader, spoke face to face with the Lord God himself because he brought to us the Covenant of the Law on stone tablets. That experience caused Moses’ face to shine with such glory that he had to wear a veil over his face to shield us from the glory of God. (See Exodus 34:29-35.)  That was a stunning awe-inspiring experience. However, as glorious as was that experience, there was a distinct weightiness that came with the law. None of us can keep the law perfectly. The law is heavy and impossible to obey with all our heart, soul, and strength, such as we are obligated to do (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). And all who do not keep this glorious law are destined to die!  Lord, have mercy!

Nevertheless, we as believers in Jesus have received something even more glorious. We are recipients of the New Covenant in which we are forgiven and adopted as children of God. We live under the ministry of the Spirit, not the Law. The Israelites were bound under the Law.  We are set free in the Spirit. Under the Law, we were unable to keep the conditions of the Old Covenant. In the Spirit, we are beneficiaries of the blessings of the New Covenant, because Jesus, our Redeemer, has kept the law. This is a much more glorious and awe-inspiring gift than the Israelite experienced. The Apostle Paul wrote: If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!”

In the Old Covenant, the glory of God was shared with only Moses; the others were shielded from it. However, in the New Covenant, the glory of God is shared with all believers. Paul wrote to the Philippians (3:21): “[Jesus] by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Such a wondrous promise!

PRAYER

Lord, your works are glorious, and You are glorious.  Thank you for allowing me to benefit from your most glorious work in Jesus Christ – his birth, life on earth, death, and resurrection. You have given us such a privilege to be part of this history in which we know of your most glorious work of all-–the eternal redemption of all who would believe, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

May 12 | Galatians 3:21-29

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DAILY READING

Galatians 3:21-29

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REFLECTION

Rule Following vs. Grace

by Elaine Pierce

Are you a rule follower? Or more of a free spirit? I will admit that I love to follow rules, especially when they are easy to follow and when I agree with the rule:). When I don't think a rule is good?

Watch out! I will grumble, complain, and explain why the rule should be immediately changed to suit my beliefs. (Do I sound a bit like a toddler who thinks that a 7 p.m. bedtime is UNFAIR and he should be allowed to stay up all night? Maybe I do...)

Most rules are common sense. Don't touch the stove when it's hot. Don't walk across the street when cars are coming. Eat all your vegetables before you get dessert. Most of us want to be "law abiding citizens," don't we? If we follow the rules, and if we are a "good person," surely we will earn our way into heaven, and God will look with favor on us.

Paul tells us in Galatians 3:24 that following rules, obeying laws, is not the answer: "So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." Yes, we need the law - we need rule. When we try to follow the law, we recognize that we simply can't fulfill it perfectly. Paul knew this firsthand. He studied the Torah under Rabbi Gamaliel, considered the best teacher of the day, and strictly observed Jewish law. He zealously persecuted Christians (Acts 22:3-5). But he was missing the most important part of faith: not earned, but freely given. Jesus has paid the price - he is the blood sacrifice for our sins, and all we can do is fall at his feet and worship him.

Paul tried rule following, and he failed, as we will. With grateful hearts, thank God for his gift.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:28-29)

Embrace your inheritance as a child of God!

PRAYER

So often, Lord, I wander from your arms. I want to earn my salvation and impress you with my good works. Help me start each day with a joyful heart, grateful for the blessing of eternal life that comes only through your mercy and grace, not through anything I do. Amen.