But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others?
Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it.
So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives.
1 Corinthians 15:10-11 (The Message)
Below is a devotional passage with a message about biblical finance from A.R. Bernard:
Countless books have been written about money – how to make it and how to keep it.
But if you’re a Christian, you probably already own at least one copy – and probably several copies – of the world’s foremost guide to financial security. That book is the Holy Bible.
God’s Word is not only a roadmap to eternal life, but it is also an indispensable guidebook for life here on earth. As such, the Bible has much to say about your life, your faith, and your finances.
“The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless only becomes poor.” ~ Proverbs 21:5 HCSB
God’s Word reminds us again and again that our Creator expects us to lead disciplined lives. God doesn’t reward laziness, misbehavior, or apathy. To the contrary, He expects believers to behave with dignity and discipline… but the world tempts us to do otherwise.
We live in a world in which leisure is glorified and indifference is often glamorized. But God has other plans. He did not create us for lives of mediocrity; He created us for far greater things.
Life’s greatest rewards seldom fall into our laps; to the contrary, our greatest accomplishments (including our financial accomplishments) usually require lots of work, a heaping helping of common sense, and a double dose of self-discipline – which is perfectly fine with God. After all, He knows that we’re up to the task.
God’s Word can help you organize your financial affairs in such a way that you have less need to worry and more time to celebrate.
If that sounds appealing, keep reading God’s book and apply it to every aspect of your life, including the way that you handle money. When you do, God will smile upon you and your finances.
One simple step- Put God where He belongs – first. Any relationship that doesn’t honor God is a relationship that is destined for problems – and that includes your relationship with money. So spend (and save) accordingly.
Last Sunday, I visited the “Dead Sea Scrolls & the Ancient World” exhibition at The Arts House.
It was a good platform to gain a condensed overview of the bible’s history spanning over 5,000 years which included four fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest—known Hebrew manuscripts of the bible.
The Bible- God’s word
Growing up as Christian, I was taught that the bible was the word of God and the authority to which man should abide as their life and moral compass.
However, these claims remain both controversial and debatable. I guess this lies on the reason that the bible though inspired by God, was written through man.
But for me, I believe and I’m equally convicted of the bible’s claims as I have experienced how it has provided me much needed knowledge and insights to shape and transform my life for the better.
Personally, I think the bible is a living legacy that has been left for us to discover His promises and to understand His will towards a successful and powerful life.
The Bible- Eternal word
I found the exhibition rather helpful in appreciating the rich history that has went into the bible that we presently know and have today.
Indeed, the bible has endured the tests of time and prosecution (and will continue to).
In the past, only few elites had the privilege to read the bible. It was not not easily accessible to the common people for various practical and political reasons.
Things only change because of the many unseen and untold sacrifices (to the extend of death) of those that have gone before us. And today, all of us are able to freely read and learn the word of God.
But the irony of today’s reality is that majority of us neglect the reading and studying of the bible.
I mean if there are so many people who were willing and actually sacrificed their lives in order for us to read it, then there must be something in this book that is so important for us to know. No?
The bible, dead or alive? That’s left for each one of us to discover and decide.
Manchester United’s latest Red Devil, Dimitar Berbatov speaks…
“And when I realise I give myself airs, the red light in my head flashes. Many times I was ashamed because of some of the things I had done….. And I am religious and I take the bible everywhere with me. There are many good pieces of advice for those like me in it.”
View the enlarged version of this article here>>>
“This same Good News (Gospel) that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”
Colossians 1:6 (New Living Translation)
Andrew: Inside & Insights 