1 Timothy 6 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on G_d, Who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come so that they may take hold of life that is real.” 1 Timothy 6: 17-19

No matter what time of the year it is, it’s always good to think about the winter holidays! I grew up in a family that went to a Baptist Church, so I remember Christmas, growing up. And more specifically, I remember Christmas mid-morning. I’m not talking about Christmas “morning”, where you ran into the living room and ripped through wrapping paper. I’m talking about an hour later, after you got dressed and went to the sidewalk to meet up with your friends to see what THEY got for Christmas!

One of my childhood friends was “Mark” (name changed). Mark always had the best of everything. His parents were well-to-do, so he had to practically machete through dense layers of presents to reach their Christmas tree. I was lucky to get three gifts…including the yearly underwear & socks package from my grandmother.

Two cool things about Mark: he always complemented whatever I got, and he let me play with all his stuff!!! We’d meet on the sidewalk, mid-morning. I would be holding a football. He’d have Dallas Cowboy tickets…then he’d invite me to the game. He was rich in money, but also generous. Rich, in good works.

Years later, I heard that Mark’s dad lost most of his money in a stock market crash. Wealth is uncertain like that. I wondered how their family coped with living on an average income. I know they loved the Lord, so I hope they drew strength from their community of believers.

This year, when the season arrives, and before we share what we got for Chanukah (or Christmas, perhaps), how ‘bout letting people know how much they mean to us? For that matter, why wait for the holidays? It’s always good to praise the L_rd for getting us through another year, and for giving us hope for the future. Let’s take hold of what’s real in life and set our hope on G_d, Who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Friday, November 1, 2013