For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
It is better to be considered an honourable person, to be thought of as someone who does the right thing, than it is to be fabulously wealthy. You cannot buy a good reputation, but a good reputation will assist you in earning what you need to survive.
If we wait patiently for God, He will answer our cries and rescue us from our troubles. He will lift us up and give us joy. If we turn to Him, and only Him, we can trust that He will uphold us and keep us safe. He does not desire offerings and sacrifices. His only desire is that we present ourselves to Him to do His will.
Here I am, Lord. Ready to do Your will.
Paul instructs us to put aside money for charitable giving on a regular basis. Rather than attempt to come up with large sums when a cause comes up, we should gather our money on a regular basis. Paul says weekly, but I would say that you should base it on when you get paid. If you get paid bi-weekly or monthly, set aside a certain amount out of each paycheck for the Lord’s work. Currently most congregations follow his suggestion of gathering the funds each Sunday and distributing them as occasion arises. This passage is a good reminder for me that I need to get better and giving back to God.
In the middle of Paul’s conclusion to this letter he says something that sums up much of what he said in the letter. “Do everything in love.” No matter what we do, let love guide our actions. If we confront someone about sin in their life, let it be because of our love for them, not because we think it shows how much better than they we are.
When attempting to offer comfort to those who are suffering, sometimes it is best to just sit with them and say nothing. Job’s friends insisted that his suffering must be a result of some unconfessed sin, but they could not name what that sin was. The lesson of the book of Job is that we should not assume that someone’s suffering is punishment for their sins.
Despite the great despair with which Job speaks throughout this book, he makes a great statement of faith. One which will bring much comfort to those suffering if they truly believe it.
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.(NIV)
This is the basis for a great hymn which has brought comfort to many generations, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”.
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know, that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.