DEVOTION: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (ESV)
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
13 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.
18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Notice, that it doesn't say "He who HAS money...", but "He who LOVES money".
God has given different gifts to different people. To some he has given the gift of leadership, to others the gift of caring and encouragement, to others the gift of teaching, to others the gift of working with his hands, and to others the gift of wealth. IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD as Solomon says very clearly in verse 19.
It is the LOVE of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. When you LOVE money more than you LOVE God, you are breaking the first commandment and you will never be satisfied with your money.
So how do we keep from loving money? GIVING IT AWAY, THAT'S HOW! When you can freely give it as God has given it to you, then you know that money has not become your god. If you can't give it and you depend on it for your happiness and contentment, that's when you know that it has become your god.
I know many people who have been destroyed and many others who are being destroyed by their own love of money. It has destroyed their relationships. It has destroyed their reputation. It has destroyed their joy and contentment. As Solomon says, "Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger."
If you are caught up in this love of money, I urge you to turn away from it! REPENT! If your money is causing you to have it as a god, give it away! GIVE IT AWAY! Don't let it cause you misery or discontentment anymore.
Then let the love of Christ wash over you and dwell in you richly! In Him you will find true satisfaction. Even in the middle of struggle and uncomfortable physical circumstances you will have true peace. Trust in the Lord!
Prayer: Lord, help me to realize that true contentment and satisfaction can only come from you and never will it come from wealth. Amen.
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Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; SCRIP orders due
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd; Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone 8:30- Jacob Nagel 11- Hannah Johnson
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Lydia Miller, 11- ?????
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
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Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item. At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school. The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that! Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD? ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs.
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