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21th December 2024
SaturdayReflection
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'Calvary Chapel Jonesboro'
'we believe all people are sinners in need of
salvation'
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Wise Preparation for Now and For Eternity - Proverbs 21:20
" Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it."
..... Proverbs 21:20
He spends some and uses it for himself, his family, and his friends.
He also saves some and puts it away for future use as well as for lean times.
Today let's take a look at the acts of the wise man who saves for his future and the foolish man who simply swallows everything God grants to him.
We are told that precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise man.
Whether he received these things from the practices of industry and frugality - or whether he received them as an inheritance from godly, thoughtful parents - the wise man knows how to save.
Precious treasure is an interesting word as it has two connotations.
The first is from how the word is used to refer to things like gold, silver, and other commodities.
He saves money, food, and other valuable things so that he will have access to them in the future.
Why does he do this?
Because a wise man knows that since the world in which we live is fallen and affected by sin - there will be times of shortage and leanness.
Throughout all human history there have been both abundance and famine in our world.
Joseph knew such things from God Himself when he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh.
He did not waste time in the pursuit of gluttony and over-indulgence.
Joseph was a wise man and saved and stored much so that when the famine came he would be ready.
His foresight and obedience to God saved all of Egypt, saved his own family, and made Egypt rich beyond their imaginations.
There is a second way this word "treasure" is used.
The word can also mean "temple treasures."
These spoke of treasures that were given so as to build up and maintain the worship of God in the temple.
In the dwelling of the wise there is provision stored up not only for physical welfare - but for the spiritual welfare of the home as well.
There is little more foolish among mankind than to think this world is all that there is.
They live ignorant of God and ignorant of their responsibility to Him.
The wise man stores up for both the physical and the spiritual.
He lives godly and rears his children to love and honour God.
He makes sure that the Word dwells richly within their hearts - desiring for them to walk with God and know Him intimately.
The foolish ones don't save any of these things - either physical or spiritual.
Theirs is a consumer mentality.
If we are wise we will realize we live in a fallen world.
This will necessitate preparation for our future - both physically and spiritually.
We will face famines physically that will require that lay up wise stores for that day in order for us and for our families to survive.
But there is also a need to prepare spiritually - for there will also be a day when we will face being ready for the judgment of God.
Oh to be wise and understanding so that our preparations will have our homes and lives filled with treasures both temporal and eternal so that we will be well provided for when the day comes that we need them.
May God, in His grace, work in and deliver us from a life lived for self and for the moment.
May we be ready for anything - famine in life - and fatal spiritual thinking in eternity.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
Calvary Chapel Jonesboro
NON-DEMONINATIONAL - This means we do not function within the structure of any denomination.
We are not Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc, and yet we welcome and fellowship with all these groups.
EVANGELICAL - This means we believe all people are sinners in need of salvation.
The salvation people need is only offered through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Contact the Rector
The Revd.
Nic.Edwards
The Rectory,
Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE,
Northampton,
NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 - 815496
(Can be accessed from the mobile device)
Mobile: .....
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Contact the Benefice Office
Sunday School Rooms, Church Lane,
BUGBROOKE, Northampton, NN7 3PB
Land Line: 01604 830373
E-mail:
thebeneficeofbhkandr at gmail dot com
Mon., Tues., Wed,, Thur., Fri.
9:00am to 11:30am
For Baptism bookings (Christenings)
to arrange an appointment please contact
the Benefice Office.
For Wedding bookings:
please contact the Benefice Office to arrange
an appointment.
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