Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, September 19, 2022
Today’s Text: John 21:18-23
Key Verse: Luke 12:15 (ESV): “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””
Jesus is the unfailing reader of the secret of the heart. He found greed in the heart of the man in this story. Therefore, it becomes necessary for Him to help his disciples and, of course, all of us so that we may beware of greed’s subtle temptations. Greed gives people the false idea that “life” was not worth living unless one has everything in abundance. A successful peasant farmer was not satisfied with his lot and wanted more of everything. Once, he got a fabulous offer for 1000 rubies plus all the land he could walk around in a day. But it came with a condition: he had to be back at his starting point by sundown. So, very early the next morning the man started out walking at a fast pace. By midday he was very tired, but he kept going, covering more and more ground. Well into the afternoon he realized that his greed had taken him far from the starting point. He quickened his pace and as the sun began to sink low in the sky, he began to run, knowing that if he did not make it back by sundown both the rubies and the opportunity to become an even bigger landholder would be lost. As the sun began to sink below the horizon he came within sight of the finish line. Gasping for breath, his heart pounding, he called upon every bit of strength left in his body and staggered across the line just before the sun disappeared. He collapsed, blood started to stream from his mouth, and in a few minutes he was dead. He was taken out of the land to a cemetery where they dug a six feet long and three feet wide grave in which he was buried.
We must ask ourselves: how much land does a man need? In today’s text, Jesus cautions us to beware of unlawful desire for what belongs to others, or whatever we are not given. He is warning us against the desire for gain or riches beyond the scope of necessity. Such desires put us in violation of the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17). But if you think that’s some Old Testament thing, the. deal with this text—and remember Colossians 3:5 which expressly called greed idolatry. When Jesus said “a man's life” he meant all the content of our hearts and all the comfort that we seek do not depend on all the things we can get. Life is good, but must be taken lightly to have its true value. Life never depends on possessions. No matter how much possessions a man has, they cannot prolong his life in the day of death. This passage teaches us not to be anxious about obtaining wealth, for, however much you may obtain, it will not prolong your life or make us ready to meet God.
Quote for the Day: “Man’s best life ever is that which depends on pursuance of God and His will on earth — A man who seeks God, and His kingdom first, and above wealth.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I can best guard myself against greed when Your Holy Spirit of promise enlivens me from within, guiding and shaping my life. Please shape me into your self-giving image — in Jesus’ name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]
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