Daily Devotions

Malachi 3:10

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the Åwindows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Continuing our theme of abundance, we come to one of the boldest invitations in Scripture: God Himself calls His people to test Him. Unlike most of Scripture where testing God is discouraged, here the Lord says, “Try me. See if I will not prove faithful. See if I will not pour out blessing beyond measure.”

The Old Testament tithe—giving ten percent of one’s increase—was a practical way of ensuring the provision of the temple, the priests, and the poor. In the New Testament, there is no binding command to tithe, but the principle of generosity is deepened. Giving is not about percentages but about the heart. Paul writes that God loves a cheerful giver, and Jesus commends not the wealthy gifts of the rich but the widow’s two small coins.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote:
“Possessions are not God’s blessing and goodness, but the opportunities of service which he entrusts to us.”
In other words, what we hold in our hands is never just for us—it is an opportunity to serve, to bless, to share.

Jesus pressed this further when He said to the rich young ruler: “If you want to give it all you’ve got, go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come, follow me.” For Christ, the question was never about keeping a percentage, but about whether our possessions keep us.

There’s a story told of a six-year-old boy who came home from church one Sunday. After lunch, he disappeared into his room. His mother, hearing strange jingling sounds, peeked through the door and found him with his piggy bank emptied onto the floor. Carefully, he gathered his coins into a handkerchief, whispered a prayer, and then threw the coins up into the air. They all clattered to the ground. He frowned, gathered them up, prayed again, and tossed them heavenward once more. His puzzled mother asked, “What are you doing?”

The boy replied: “We learned in Sunday School today that we should give money to God for an offering. I forgot mine at church, so I thought if I threw my money up, God would catch what He wanted, and I could keep the rest. But He hasn’t caught any yet!”

The innocence of a child reminds us of something vital: God doesn’t need our money—He wants our hearts. Giving is never about loss, but about participating in God’s abundance, about being open channels of His blessing.

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Prayer

Generous God, we thank You for the abundance You pour into our lives. All we have is from You, entrusted to us as stewards. Teach us to give not grudgingly or out of mere duty, but joyfully, knowing that giving is a way of sharing in Your love and grace. Guard us from clinging too tightly to what we have, and open our hands to bless others as You have blessed us. May our generosity reflect Your own, and may our lives bear witness to the riches of Your kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotions

Psalm 72:16

“May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field!”

With harvest season well and truly here, many churches across the land turn their thoughts to abundance, thanksgiving, and God’s provision. This year, my attention has been drawn to Psalm 72:16—a verse rich with imagery of grain, fruit, and blossom. It is a natural fit for the harvest season, yet it also carries a deeper, prophetic dimension.

Many scholars see this psalm as pointing beyond the literal harvest to the reign of the Messiah, when God’s blessings will be fully revealed. It speaks not only of fruitful land but also of prosperity, justice, and flourishing lives—signs of God’s kingdom breaking in.

One detail particularly stands out: grain waving on the mountain tops. These are not the valleys and fertile plains we usually associate with cultivation, but the rocky, less promising high places. Could it be that the psalmist is reminding us that God’s abundance is not limited to easy, fertile ground? Even the most unlikely places—whether physical landscapes or the difficult seasons of our lives—are not beyond the reach of His blessing. God’s provision extends everywhere, even to the “mountain tops.”

The psychologist Ben Sweetland once observed:
“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car... a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.”

Perhaps part of the psalm’s challenge is to enlarge our expectation of God. His desire is not for scarcity but for flourishing. The harvest reminds us that He is a God of generosity, who delights to give abundantly, even in the most unpromising places.

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Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for the promise of abundance that flows from Your hand. May the grain wave across the fields and even on the mountain tops; may the fruit flourish like the forests of Lebanon; may Your people blossom and thrive like grass in the meadow. Teach us not to come before You with small expectations but with open hearts, ready to receive the fullness of Your blessing. Thank You for being the God of provision, justice, and overflowing grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday Thought – 28 September 2025

This Week’s Readings

• Jeremiah 32:1–3a, 6–15 – A prophetic act of hope: Jeremiah purchases a field in the midst of siege, symbolising faith in God’s promise of restoration.  
• Psalm 91:1–6, 14–16 – A psalm of refuge and assurance, reminding us that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will find protection and salvation.  
• 1 Timothy 6:6–19 – A call to godliness and contentment, warning against love of money and inviting generous living as a lasting investment in true life.  
• Luke 16:19–31 – The parable of the rich man and Lazarus: a sober reminder that our choices in this life carry eternal consequences, urging compassion and justice.  

Reflection – “Trust, Generosity, and the Promise of Justice”

In the midst of Judah’s siege, Jeremiah’s purchase of property is an extraordinary act of faith. Even as the city lay under threat, he invests in its future — trusting in God’s promise of restoration.

Psalm 91 complements this, extending an invitation into the safety of divine shelter. It assures us that God, our refuge and protector, answers with steadfast love—even in times of fear or trial.

The epistle to Timothy then grounds us in practical wisdom: true contentment springs from godliness, not wealth. We are urged to live generously, storing up what truly matters—richness in good deeds, compassion, and faith.

Finally, Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus confronts us with moral urgency. We are challenged: how will we respond to suffering around us? Will we heed the Scriptures and care for the vulnerable before it’s too late?

May this week inspire us to trust God’s promises, live generously, and act justly towards those in need.

Prayer:

God of refuge and hope, help us to dwell in your shelter and to act in mercy. Grant us contentment that leads to generosity, and the courage to love boldly. Amen.

Hymn Reflection – Singing the Faith 621

(Based on the theme of refuge and God’s sheltering presence—Psalm 91)

“Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Though the night deepens and storms are wild;

Still I can trust You—I know You will keep me,

For You are my refuge, my God, and my child.”

(Verse adapted from the classic hymn “Under His Wings” by William O. Cushing)

Daily Devotions

 

Luke 12:22–23

Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life—what you will eat; nor about your body—what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.”

We end this series on contentment with some of Jesus’ most familiar, yet most difficult words. They are easy to recite, but far harder to live.

Worry is one of the greatest enemies of contentment. It drains our strength, robs our joy, and unsettles our souls. I once came across an online forum where people poured out their anxieties. One post read:

“Bills—will I have enough to pay them and still buy groceries?
Kids—will they grow up happy and safe?
My husband—his health is failing; will I lose him too soon?
My mother—will she ever love me unconditionally?
Did I upset someone with my words? Are my friends truly my friends?
Everything worries me. It always has and always will. I am the epitome of a worry wart.
So much for a stress-free life.”

Such raw honesty reveals how worry can dominate and paralyse. Yet Jesus calls us to step out of that cycle. “Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” In other words, God has given us something greater than our fears: Himself.

Dr. Billy Graham often reminded his listeners of this truth:

• “Only the Holy Spirit can give us peace in the midst of the storms of restlessness and despair.”

• “Some people spend so much time worrying about what might happen that they never enjoy what is happening now. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

• “God doesn’t want us to be consumed with worry and anxiety. Instead, He wants us to turn our worries over to Him, and to trust Him for the future.”

That is exactly the invitation of Jesus: release tomorrow into God’s hands, and trust Him with today. Contentment is found not in the absence of trouble, but in resting secure in the Father’s care.

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Prayer
Father,
I confess how easily I let worry overtake my heart.
Instead of resting in Your promises,
I allow anxiety to crowd my thoughts.
Teach me to cast all my cares upon You—
moment by moment, as each burden arises.
Help me take every anxious thought captive
and place it in Christ’s hands.
Remind me daily that You are faithful—
to provide, to sustain, and to carry me through every trial.
Thank You for Your unfailing goodness and grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotions

John 14:8 
Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
The word enough can also be translated as satisfied—“That is all we need.”

Christian writer Tim Hansel once observed:
“Our society has inundated us with the importance of importance. We have been conditioned to believe in the big, the fast, the expensive and the far away. I’m still convinced that if you have to move even ten inches from where you are now in order to be happy, you never will be. Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited again about the privilege of simply being human.”

One of the great mysteries of Jesus’ life is His relationship with the Father and the Spirit—a relationship always marked by intimacy, closeness, and oneness. So close, in fact, that to know Jesus is to know the Father, and to love Jesus is to love the Spirit also. In Him, we are invited into the life of divine community, and in turn, called to live faithfully in human community.

Jesus reminds us that God’s word continues to unfold, taking root in our lives. As I allow Scripture to shape me, I pray to grow in intimacy with God—learning to know the Father as Jesus did.

Philip longed for “something more,” but Jesus showed him that what he already had was sufficient. The invitation was to let the truth he had seen and heard sink in deeply enough to bring contentment.

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Prayer
Dear Lord,
Like Philip, I long to know You more intimately.
Open my eyes to the nearness of Your presence.
Satisfy my restless heart with Your love,
and teach me to find contentment in You alone.
May I delight in the small daily gifts of life,
and grow in the joy of knowing You,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Daily Devotions

Romans 12:16 (Reframed)
Paul exhorts the church: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with those of low position. Do not be conceited.”

The Living Bible captures the spirit well:
“Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!”

Christian unity is not built on status, achievement, or pride. Instead, it flows from humility—choosing to see one another not through the world’s hierarchies but through Christ’s eyes. True harmony grows when we lay aside self-importance and embrace the beauty of serving one another in love.

D. L. Moody once offered a powerful picture of this truth. During one of his Northfield Bible Conferences, visiting European pastors followed their custom of leaving shoes outside their rooms to be polished overnight. In America, of course, there were no servants for such tasks. Seeing the shoes, Moody quietly gathered them up and cleaned them himself. He never announced what he had done. It was only because a friend noticed him late at night, bent over the shoes, that the story became known. The most renowned evangelist of his day was found not seeking recognition but stooping to serve in secret.

Moody’s example reminds us that greatness in God’s kingdom is measured not by how high we climb, but by how low we are willing to bend in love. To “live in harmony” is not just to avoid quarrels, but to share the spirit of Christ Himself—gentle, approachable, and humble of heart.

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Prayer
Father,
Teach me the beauty of humility.
Strip away pride and self-importance from my heart,
and give me joy in serving others quietly,
without seeking recognition.
Help me to live in harmony with my brothers and sisters,
to value every person as precious in Your sight,
and to walk the path of unity and peace.
May my life echo the example of Christ,
who came not to be served, but to serve.
In His name I pray, Amen.

Daily Devotions

Romans 12:2 
J. B. Phillips paraphrased Paul’s words memorably:
“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

True contentment in Christ does not mean becoming rigid or unmoving. Instead, it asks a searching question: whose likeness is shaping us?

The world—with its restless values, constant demands, and relentless pace—seeks to press us into its mould. Yet even within the church, the weight of schedules and expectations can do the same.

I once read the story of a Christian teacher who confessed how much his life was ruled by the clock. School began at 8:00 a.m., and he was always there by 7:30. Classes ran with military precision, and after the school day, music lessons and tutoring filled the afternoon. Even Sundays were governed by the hour: preaching at 8:00 in one church, rushing to another by 10:00. Week after week, the rhythm of his days was dictated by the clock. Only later did he realise how tightly his schedule had come to control him.

Paul’s warning is clear: we must not allow ourselves to be pressed into the shape of any system—whether secular culture or even church busyness. Instead, God calls us to a different kind of formation: a renewal of the mind. His Spirit reshapes us from within, through His Word and His truth, so that our lives reflect His goodness in practice. Transformation is not only about what we believe; it is about how we live—showing that God’s way is life-giving and leads us into true maturity.

When we yield to God’s remoulding, we discover a contentment not rooted in schedules or achievements, but in being aligned with His will.

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Prayer
Lord,
Keep me from being pressed into the world’s mould—
whether through its demands, its busyness, or its values.
Renew my mind daily with Your Spirit and truth,
so that I may discern Your good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Shape my thoughts, words, and actions
to reflect Your character,
that my life may witness to Your goodness
and grow into the maturity You desire.
Amen.

Daily Devotions

1 Corinthians 7:24

According to The Message: “Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side.”

It seems the church in Corinth may have been caught up in the “grass is greener on the other side” syndrome. Paul reminds them—and us—that God is present where He has placed us. We are not to be restless, comparing ourselves with others or envying their calling, but to remain faithful in our own.

The Old Testament offers a warning in the story of Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12). They became critical of Moses, not out of righteousness, but out of envy and selfish ambition. Their discontent led them away from God’s will. In the same way, when we covet someone else’s ministry, position, or gifting, we lose sight of the unique purpose God has for us.

Instead, Scripture calls us to celebrate the diversity of gifts in the body of Christ. Each role is vital. Each calling matters. God’s purpose for your life is not diminished because it looks different from someone else’s—it is unique, beautiful, and woven into His greater plan. The key is to trust His design, to rejoice in what He is doing in us and through others, and to remain faithful where we are.

Paul’s counsel here is simple but profound: contentment and faithfulness in our present circumstances honour God, because His purpose can be fulfilled in any context.

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank You for calling me and for being with me in the circumstances of my life.
Guard me from envy and comparison,
and help me to recognise and embrace the calling You have given me.
Grant me wisdom to walk with integrity,
patience to remain where You have placed me,
and joy in seeing how You are working in me and in others.
May my life be a faithful part of Your greater plan,
through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen

Daily Devotions

Proverbs 30:8

"Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me."

The book of Proverbs is often overlooked by disciples today, yet it is full of short, piercing insights into how to live wisely before God. Here, in a single verse, we find a prayer worth repeating often: a prayer for honesty, humility, and contentment.

Clovis Chappell, in his book Feminine Faces, tells a haunting story from the excavations of Pompeii. When the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius were cleared, the body of a woman was discovered. Her feet were turned toward the city gate—the way of escape—but her arms were stretched backward, fingers clutching for a small bag of pearls. Death was pressing in, yet she could not release her grasp. Chappell wrote: “Though death was hot at her heels and life was beckoning to her beyond the city gates, she could not shake off their spell... But it was not the eruption of Vesuvius that made her love pearls more than life. It only froze her in this attitude of greed.”

This is the danger Proverbs warns us against. Wealth can captivate, even enslave. Poverty, on the other hand, can drive us into desperation. Both extremes carry dangers. And so the prayer wisely asks God: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but only my daily bread.”

It echoes Jesus’ own teaching in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It is a prayer of sufficiency—not too little, not too much, but enough. Enough to meet our needs, to keep us humble, and to remind us that our security rests not in possessions, but in God’s faithful provision.

Prayer

Generous Father,
Thank You for the blessings You have poured into my life.
Protect me from falsehood and dishonesty in thought, word, and deed.
Guard me from the snares of greed and the despair of poverty.
Teach me to be content with what You provide,
trusting You daily for the food and strength I need.
May my heart rest in gratitude,
and may my life reflect Your generosity to others.
Through Christ my Lord,
Amen.

Sunday Thought – 21 September 2025

This Week’s Readings

• Jeremiah 8:18–9:1 – The prophet grieves deeply over the suffering of God’s people, longing for healing where none seems to be found.
• Psalm 79:1–9 – A communal lament cries out for mercy and forgiveness after devastation, pleading for God’s deliverance.
• 1 Timothy 2:1–7 – Paul urges prayer for all people and leaders, affirming Christ as the one mediator who gave himself for all.
• Luke 16:1–13 – Jesus teaches through the parable of the shrewd manager that true disciples must choose between serving God or wealth.

Reflection – “When Mercy Meets Profit”

Jeremiah grieves for a people whose joy is gone—“the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved”—yearning for healing where there seems to be none  . Psalm 79 echoes this lament, crying out in anguish over violence, destruction, and the ruin of God’s people. Into such brokenness, Paul calls the church to intercede— “pray for all” and “lift up holy hands” to witness to God’s sway over every human heart. 

In Luke, the shrewd manager’s parable confronts us with hard truths about faithfulness, stewardship, and the currency of grace. It asks: when the world measures success in profit, will we invest in eternity? Will our faith shape our loyalty and our actions, even when doing so seems counter-intuitive?

This week, may we mourn injustice, pray without ceasing, and steward the riches of grace with wisdom.

Prayer: God of mercy, meet us in our sorrow, teach us to pray and to steward your grace with integrity. Amen.

Hymn Reflection – Singing the Faith 719

“God, give us peace…

With you to lead us on,

through death or tumult, 

peace will come.” 

Daily Devotions

Psalm 37:7

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"

Here, David gives us yet another key to contentment: waiting patiently before the Lord.

In schooldays past, punishments were often lines of repetition. One teacher of mine in the 1960s chose an unusual phrase: instead of the familiar “I must not…,” he insisted on writing out one hundred times, “Patience is a virtue I must endeavour to possess!” At the time, it seemed little more than tedium—but the truth of those words echoes Scripture.

Leonardo da Vinci once described patience like clothing in winter: “Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.”Patience shields the heart from bitterness.

David goes further by warning against fretting. The Hebrew word used here literally means “to burn” or “to be kindled.” We might say, “to get hot under the collar,” or “steaming mad.” When we see the wicked prosper, envy and anger can ignite within us. But God’s word directs us away from agitation and toward calm surrender. The believer’s task is not to rage or fret but to be still, to rest in God’s sovereign care, and to trust His timing.

To wait on the Lord is not passivity—it is active trust. It is the quiet strength of knowing that God is just, His purposes are good, and His plans will not fail.

Prayer

Lord of peace,
I come before You today acknowledging Your sovereignty and power.
Teach me to be still in Your presence and to wait patiently for Your hand at work.
When life feels unfair, when the wicked seem to prosper,
protect me from anger and fretting, and root me instead in trust.
Help me to surrender to Your timing,
to rest in Your love, and to shine with Your peace
even in the midst of unrest.
Thank You for Your unfailing love
and for guiding me on this journey of patience.
Through Christ my Lord I pray,
Amen.

Daily Devotions

 

1 Timothy 6:7–8

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Paul’s words strike at the heart of contentment. Life begins with empty hands and ends the same way. Possessions may fill our homes, but they cannot cross the threshold of eternity. True peace is found not in what we accumulate, but in trusting God to provide for our daily needs.

John Wesley understood this perspective well. When he learned that his home had been destroyed by fire, his response was calm and striking: “The Lord’s house burned. One less responsibility for me!” His possessions never possessed him.

Martin Luther expressed a similar truth when he wrote: “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” His security was not in what he owned, but in whom he trusted.

A story is also told of Dr. George W. Truett, a Baptist pastor, who once dined with a wealthy oil baron. After the meal, the man proudly showed him his vast holdings—oil wells to the north, grain fields to the south, cattle to the east, forests to the west. “It’s all mine,” he declared with satisfaction. Expecting admiration, he paused. But Dr. Truett gently placed a hand on his shoulder, then pointed upward and asked, “And how much do you have in that direction?” The man lowered his head and confessed, “I never thought of that.”

A Word for Us

1 Timothy 6:7–8, along with these testimonies, reminds us that contentment is not about how much we hold, but about where we look. Greed looks outward and downward, always wanting more. Faith looks upward, entrusting all things to God, and finding peace in Him.

Prayer

Holy God,
Forgive me for the times I have been consumed by greed,
by covetous desires, and by chasing after excess.
Teach me to be content with what You provide—
to see food and clothing, shelter and community,
as gifts of Your loving care.
May my joy be rooted not in possessions,
but in You, and in the people You place in my life.
Help me to live with open hands and a trusting heart,
so that what I hold is always Yours.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.

Daily Devotions

Ecclesiastes 4:6

"Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind."

This verse presents a vivid contrast: one hand at rest with contentment versus two hands grasping endlessly at toil and futility. It reminds us that peace and satisfaction with a little are far better than restless striving for more that never satisfies.

There are different ways to interpret this wisdom:

1. An Excuse for Laziness – Some might misuse it to justify idleness, claiming that doing little is better than working hard. But that misses the heart of the passage.

2. A Call to Balance – Others see Solomon urging balance: not relentless striving for abundance, nor careless neglect of responsibility, but a wise middle way that brings stability to life.

3. Contentment over Ambition – Most commonly, this verse is taken as a call to contentment. True blessing is found not in the abundance of possessions, but in the quietness of heart that enjoys and gives thanks for what God has already provided.

At its core, Ecclesiastes 4:6 invites us to step away from endless grasping and restless ambition, and instead to embrace the peace of trusting God with what we have.

A Word for Disciples of Jesus

As followers of Christ, we are called to guard against misplaced ambition. Ambition itself is not wrong—but when it becomes self-centred, it can easily turn us away from God. The pursuit of success or wealth for our own glory can lead to pride and self-absorption. The gospel calls us to a better ambition: to be shaped into the likeness of Jesus, to use what we have to bless others, and to measure greatness not by achievements, but by grace, humility, and love.

Prayer

Loving Lord,
Make our ambition not for wealth or status,
but to become more like You in word and deed.
Shape us to extend grace to those around us,
renewing our hearts and minds with Your vision of greatness.
Replace the lies of unhealthy ambition
with the truth of the gospel—
that our worth and security are found in You alone.
Thank You for Your patience with us,
and for the endless grace You pour out through Christ.
Amen.

Daily Devotions

Psalm 34:8

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!"

This verse is an invitation, not just to hear about God’s goodness, but to experience it personally. It calls us to move from theory into practice, from knowing about God to truly encountering Him in our lives.

The phrase “taste and see” is metaphorical. It points us to a deeper truth: God’s goodness is not abstract, but real and tangible. Just as food must be tasted to be enjoyed, so God’s grace must be experienced to be understood. Those who trust in Him discover His blessings, protection, and joy—even in seasons of difficulty.

This is not a passive command but an active one. We are urged to seek God, explore His ways, and test His promises for ourselves. Trusting in Him means stepping into a relationship of reliance, learning by experience that He is faithful.

Eugene Peterson once drew a vivid picture of meditation on Scripture by comparing it to his dog chewing on a bone. With soft purrs and low growls, the dog savoured and worked at it, unwilling to let it go. Peterson suggested that the same is true for us as we “chew” on God’s Word—rolling it around in our hearts, drawing strength, flavour, and nourishment from it. In that way, we taste and see the goodness of the Lord, and we find contentment in His presence.

Prayer

Gracious Lord,
We come before You with hearts open to Your goodness.
Teach us not only to hear of Your promises,
but to taste and see them at work in our lives.
May we find in You our refuge and strength,
our daily bread and our lasting joy.
Guide us to trust in Your love,
to savour Your Word,
and to live out of the abundance of Your goodness.
Through Christ our Shepherd we pray,
Amen.

Daily Devotions

1 Timothy 6:17–19

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Paul’s words here are strikingly ahead of their time. He reminds us that wealth is uncertain—like the disclaimer at the end of an investment commercial: “the value of your investments may go up as well as down.” Riches may appear secure, but they can vanish in a moment. Our trust must be placed, not in possessions, but in God, the One who provides abundantly all that we need.

For those who do have wealth, Paul issues both a warning and a calling. The warning: do not be arrogant or place hope in riches. The calling: be “rich in good works”—generous, ready to share, and using resources to serve others and glorify God. In this way, wealth becomes not a stumbling block, but a tool for blessing.

Yet Paul takes it deeper. The ultimate goal is not generosity for its own sake, but to “take hold of what is truly life.” True life is not found in accumulation, but in a relationship with God—a life marked by faith, love, and eternal hope.

The 19th-century statesman Charles Francis Adams once wrote in his diary: “Went fishing with my son today—day wasted.” That same day, his son Brook wrote in his own diary: “Went fishing with my father today—the most wonderful day of my life!”

What the father thought was a waste of time, the son saw as an investment of love. The difference between wasting and investing lies in our purpose. Paul urges us to invest in what truly lasts—generosity, good works, and eternal treasures—so that we may grasp real life.

Prayer

Holy God,
You reach out in love through Jesus Christ
so that we may live as faithful servants of You alone.
Unchain us from our restless desire for wealth and power,
and teach us to set our hope on You,
the One who richly provides all things.
Make us generous and ready to share,
that others may be freed from poverty, hunger, and oppression.
And lead us always to take hold of what is truly life,
in Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Daily Devotions

 

Proverbs 28:25

"The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper."

In Hebrew, the word translated prosper carries the sense of being “fattened”—to be enriched, anointed, or satisfied. It speaks less of financial gain and more of a deep inner fullness. Perhaps the key to contentment is not the pursuit of more, but the experience of God’s satisfying presence.

Greed, on the other hand, never satisfies. It breeds conflict, envy, and strife—turning relationships sour and communities fragile. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord find themselves enriched, not simply with material things, but with peace, joy, and the assurance that their needs are in God’s hands.

In our 21st-century world, the word prosper often makes us think of financial success. But maybe a better word here is enriched. The person who places faith in God discovers a richness of life that cannot be measured by a bank account: contentment, peace, gratitude, and generosity.

A wealthy businessman was once asked, “How much money is enough?” He smiled wryly and replied, “Just a little more.”

That’s the problem with greed—it always asks for more, yet never satisfies. It keeps us chasing what cannot fill the soul. But trust in God shifts the question. Instead of asking, “How much is enough?” we begin to say, “The Lord is enough.”That’s the enrichment Proverbs points us toward.

Prayer

Gracious Lord,
Guard me from the trap of greed and restless striving.
Teach me to trust in You as my source of true enrichment.
Satisfy my soul with Your presence,
so that I may find joy not in possessions,
but in Your faithful love.
Make me generous in spirit,
peaceful in relationships,
and content in all circumstances.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday Thought – 14 September 2025

This Week’s Readings

• • Jeremiah 18:1–11 – God compares Israel to clay in a potter’s hands, reminding the people that their actions can be reshaped through repentance.
  • Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 – The psalmist marvels at God’s intimate knowledge and care, recognizing that we are wonderfully made and fully known.
  • Philemon 1–21 – Paul appeals for Onesimus, a runaway slave, to be welcomed back not as a servant but as a beloved brother in Christ.
  • Luke 14:25–33 – Jesus calls his followers to count the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that loyalty to him must take priority over all else

  
  

Jeremiah laments a people who have forgotten how to do good, and the psalmist echoes that “all have gone astray.” Yet the New Testament offers a word of grace: Paul, once a persecutor, now marvels at God’s mercy, declaring, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.”

In Luke’s parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, Jesus reveals the heart of God—tireless, searching, rejoicing when what was lost is found. Heaven celebrates every life reclaimed by grace.

This week, may we believe that we too are sought and loved, and may we reflect that mercy by seeking out the forgotten.

Prayer: Merciful God, find us, forgive us, and help us to rejoice with you. Amen.

Hymn Reflection – Singing the Faith 409

“Let hope and joy and peace be mine,
Lord Jesus Christ;
hope that endures, and peace divine,
Lord Jesus Christ.”