The Pastor’s Garage November 17th, 2022
November 17, 2022
looking forward to it. I guess we are all “working” on our marriages just
by living, but rarely do we invest in them intentionally. I can’t remember
the last time that we spent several hours investing in our marriage. But it
is so important! The concept of marriage and the family as defined by
scripture is under assault. Is it any wonder? The family unit is God’s
sovereign plan for building people and developing community. Thank you to
the volunteers and leaders who have made this day possible. If you missed
out registering, it’s too late this time, but we will plan on doing it
again.
Please also pray for the Sunday Gathering this week! It’s family Sunday and
time for potluck. Can’t wait.
Also, we have got into a regular rhythm with youth and are meeting on
Fridays from 7-9pm for a more fun oriented time and then again on Tuesdays
from 3:30 to 5:00pm for a time of bible study. It’s a great group and I
look forward to more time together. Please pray for these young people as
well. I’ve attached our “ad” for this weeks event.
Recently, I have been reading James. This morning I read chapter 5 and
these words, from the beginning of the chapter, have been burned in my
brain:
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is
coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against
you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are
crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears
of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and
self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6
You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”
At first I was like, “Yah God, stick it to the rich man! Shame on those
rich dudes for exploiting workers!” But as I sat and thought about it for a
while… I realized this message was for me too. I wouldn’t call myself
rich, but I definitely have enough. And I have hoarded more things than I
need! One of my friends recently asked me, “Why doesn’t God give us good
guys more money? Think of the good we could do with it.” The truth is I am
already hoarding and greedy with the money I have. Any more money I got, I
probably couldn’t handle. I would fall in love with it way too easily. And
we know what the bible says about the love of money. No, given the
opportunity, I could very easily fall into the trap that money can lay. In
fact, I have already been sucked in by the amount I do have and I need to
be very careful already.
Realistically, none of you reading this email are legitimately poor, in
fact most of you would be far from it. Have you been generous and fair with
your money or have you taken care of number one only. This passage tells me
that God is not blind to our self-indulgence and luxury. In fact, not only
is he aware of it, it doesn’t sound like it bodes well for us. As the
Christmas season approaches, let’s find ways to be extravagantly generous.
God is the provider and protector, there is no reason for us to hoard or to
need more.
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Pastor Dave
