February 27 | 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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DAILY READING

1 Timothy 6:6-10

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REFLECTION

Godliness and Contentment

by Dan Kidd

This week we began by reading a passage from Mark about a wealthy young man that approached Jesus seeking to know what he must do in order to inherit eternal life. When Jesus lovingly responded that all he had left to do was sell all his possessions, give them to the poor, and come follow Jesus, the man left with his head low. The passage ends with Jesus saying to his disciples, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

In today's passage, we hear Paul instructing his young disciple-in-training, Timothy in this vein. "But godliness with contentment is great gain." Godliness with contentment. If only we would make ourselves content then we would be perfectly prepared to inherit eternal life. But, I suspect, if you're anything like me, you'll recognize that contentment—being truly satisfied suspended in this very moment with exactly what I have—is essentially as elusive as godliness. Which is to say I'm just about as able to make myself content as I am to make myself godly. Because godliness is only ever really a consequence of God's gracious formation over me. And contentment is predicated on our faith in the trustworthiness of God; faith itself being a fruit of God's Spirit. Contentment relies on a trust in the Lord that can only be trained in us by the Lord.

Note how Paul describes the trap of loving of money to Timothy, "Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." That is, those with ambition for more wealth, more financial security, lost their way as their trust in God's care for them blurred out of focus. Perhaps they strived and saved towards tomorrow's unknown worries. Or maybe the prospect of living more comfortably was more alluring than the strange treasure of contentment. At any rate, some who were once first in the line come to see that they are now last in line. This is an important warning to us, if for no other reason than that we desperately want to avoid the griefs that come with not trusting in God's provision.

If I truly trusted myself to be in the Lord's care tomorrow, what would I do with the things he provided me for today? Let it be that "if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

PRAYER

Lord, we ask that you would grow in us sufficient trust in your faithfulness to provide what we need. Give us, today, our daily bread. Give us neither too little nor too much, but exactly enough that we would depend entirely on you and that you would train us to rest in contentment. Lead us not into the temptation of wanting to get rich, but deliver us from the harm and ruin of evil. For those who need our generosity, stir us and enable us to offer it. Remind us, again, o Lord, of the many ways you have provided for us, and of all that you've promised.

February 26 | Matthew 19:16-30

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DAILY READING

Matthew 19:16-30

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REFLECTION

Clueless? Stick with Jesus

by Pr. Dave Mann

Jesus immediately detects what the problem is with this man. The way the man words his initial question shows that he has not begun to acknowledge the depth of his sin and that all the “good” he could do is tainted by the selfish evil in his heart. He thinks that he can deserve heaven by impressing God with his goodness. After the self-revelatory question, he has the audacity to ask Jesus to narrow the scope of God’s commandments he is obligated to keep by asking “Which ones?” Jesus deigns to walk with the man down that path by itemizing some of The Ten Commandments—murder, adultery, theft, stealing, false testimony, honoring of parents, and then the all-inclusive command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Digging his hole even deeper, the man claims, “All these I have kept. What’s left?”

At this display of clueless audacity, Jesus springs the trap. He places his finger directly on the first, biggest, and all-consuming idol in the man’s life. This man is unaware that he has not even begun to keep the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Every day he is bowing before the god of Mammon and doesn’t even realize it. So, Jesus declares that the one “good thing” that is left is the first and most important thing—to place his Mammon god on the altar and to dedicate it to serve the living God.

The man slinks away, deeply saddened because he thought he had just a little thing left when in reality he has a massive thing. The man is not willing to address the depth of his sin, and to acknowledge that he cannot work his way into heaven. So, he walks away.

The disciples are as astonished at the man. Perhaps their hearts are sympathetic to the rich man's plight, but they do not walk away. They stay with Jesus to learn more. They lament that Jesus’ standards might be so high that none will be saved — to which Jesus replies, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” That’s where the truly repentant cast themselves, seeking mercy, at the feet of God.

Where do we start? We begin with the recognition that Mammon is the most worshipped idol in our own culture. We have this god, just like the man. Don’t deny it but stay with Jesus. Keep asking him to put his finger on what you need to confess. We need the true God to lead us into everlasting life.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I am no doubt just as clueless as this man. But I don’t want to walk away. I recognize it may be difficult for me to identify my own idols, and to confess my sin as a way of life. Lord, I need grace from the start to the finish. It is only by your mercy that I will be saved. So I want to stay close to the source of all mercy — Jesus’ name, Amen.

February 25 | Mark 10:17-31

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DAILY READING

Mark 10:17-31

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REFLECTION

The Impossible is Possible

by Elaine Pierce

"With God all things are possible." Many of you probably know that is Ohio's state motto (in case you're wondering, our state beverage is tomato juice... but I digress). Five other states also have "God" in their motto. Let's take a look at the context in which Jesus said "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27)

The rich young man seemed sincere in his desire to follow Jesus. He was proud that he faithfully kept the Jewish commandments, but when Jesus told him that rule following wasn't enough - he had to give up his wealth and follow Jesus - he couldn't do it. His money was more important to him than a relationship with Jesus.

It would be hard to give up great wealth, wouldn't it? But think for a moment about the things you hold dear. What if Jesus looked you in the eye and said, "Go, give your XXXXX to me, and you will have treasure in heaven." You fill in the blank. Would it be family? Would it be a career? Would it be youthful beauty? Would it be the approval of others? What am I holding onto that I am not ready to give to Jesus?

Yes, this passage focuses on wealth, but I think it safe to say that we won't achieve real peace, real freedom, real joy until we lay it all at Jesus' feet. Any other path will end in disappointment, in dissatisfaction, in defeat. I often wonder if the rich young man ever heard Jesus again. Perhaps he was in the crowd when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Perhaps he saw Jesus as he suffered on the cross. We don't know. But we know Jesus is offering us - each of us - the gift of eternal life. And that gift is only possible when we receive it - when we confess our sins and invite him to take over. Thanks be to God that with him, all things are possible.

PRAYER

Lord, you know my heart, and you know I cling to things I shouldn't. Help me as I walk through the Lenten season to take time each day to meditate on your word, and seek to follow you more dearly. Amen.