"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" ( Mark 8:36).
The Gospel of Jesus is not for sell. Ever since Jesus run into merchants who had turned the house of God into a trading warehouse, the practice of profiting from God's works has never ceased. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Mathew 21:13).The love of money has through the ages driven even those close to Jesus to extremes. Judas Iscariot betrayed his master whom he had closely walked with and trusted with the treasury for a trifle pennies (Luke 22).
In the middle ages selling God's works rose to another level. The Church invented a certain practice where members had to pay for prayers, including the souls of the departed, that they might ascend to heaven! It is these heretical practices that caused the Reformation which emphasized we are all saved by grace. For "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it" ( Ephesians 2:9).
Yet just as it were today there's no shortage of merchants of the Gospel. One thing which needs to be clear: wherever the scrupulous use the house of God to maximize profit, God knows what is in the heart. Also, because God looks far than man, the profiteers might have their day, but in the end all will be brought to judgment.
The Good News is for free! Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free" ( Luke 4:18), and not to burden them as a route for wealth acquisition. For followers of Christ, the word is, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Mathew 10:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, we thank you for this free Gospel of salvation that sets sinners free and may we through your grace enable us proclaim it looking up to you to take care of our needs, this I pray in Jesus' name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
