Good day dear friends.
I shared word in worship as did Pastor Ryan about the death of Mrs. Jennifer Smith. She and husband Roger were members of the church in the 1980s, later moved to San Antonio where she died on Saturday. Her request was to have her funeral here in San Marcos. Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at Thomason's Funeral Home we will be worshiping God and thanking Him for Jennifer's life. The family invites those who know them to join them during this time.
Our text for today is from 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
It was in Saturday's San Antonio paper, a small article about a WalMart employee in Valparaiso, Ind., who discovered one of his store's self-checkout cash registers had been incorrectly stocked with $20 bills in the $2 slot and vice-versa. This employee made a small purchase and discovered that he could make a significant return for his initial small investment. He seemed to forget that this is theft and that he was on video camera being recorded. It wasn't a sting operation, it was a review of an error, and after they discovered this man had stolen more than $600, he was arrested.
The lead article in the same paper read, "Buyers Like Pigs at A Trough," referring to the sale of improperly acquired flight vouchers on Southwest Airlines by a former employee of theirs, now associated with the Bexar County Courthouse. It seems this employee had access to stacks of these "Must Fly" vouchers and sold them for about $160. Depending on how these vouchers are used they could go as high as $600 in travel money. Most of the buyers were from the DA's office, other lawyers, clerks, and other employees there. The only ones charged were those who sold the tickets. The lawyers and company said they were duped. Southwest was taken for a ride.
Lastly, you've driven by the roadside signs of the millions available for the lucky one winner. The one more likely to be struck by lightning six times that win one lotto, but ah the thoughts of what one might or could do with the winnings.
Is it any wonder Jesus spoke more about money and material possessions than anything else? Jesus knew what was written to Timothy, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
I've told the congregation that I've heard from dreamers who have said, "I'm going to win that jackpot and when I do, the church won't have any more worries about money!" I'm still waiting. And I'm wondering which of the big winners will not change their phone number, move away from family and friends, and hide for the rest of their lives holding on to that money like it was salvation itself.
This time of Lent should make us realize how truly rich we are right now. We may not have money, but friends, we are truly and wonderfully rich. One church here locally had on its sign, "Get Rich Quick: Count Your Blessings." I agree. We're rich indeed.
PRAYER: Lord God, I am truly and wonderfully rich. I may need some money here and there, as You're well aware, but I'm trusting You as I always have, for all things. Let me be among those whom You count as Your riches. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
I shared word in worship as did Pastor Ryan about the death of Mrs. Jennifer Smith. She and husband Roger were members of the church in the 1980s, later moved to San Antonio where she died on Saturday. Her request was to have her funeral here in San Marcos. Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at Thomason's Funeral Home we will be worshiping God and thanking Him for Jennifer's life. The family invites those who know them to join them during this time.
Our text for today is from 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
It was in Saturday's San Antonio paper, a small article about a WalMart employee in Valparaiso, Ind., who discovered one of his store's self-checkout cash registers had been incorrectly stocked with $20 bills in the $2 slot and vice-versa. This employee made a small purchase and discovered that he could make a significant return for his initial small investment. He seemed to forget that this is theft and that he was on video camera being recorded. It wasn't a sting operation, it was a review of an error, and after they discovered this man had stolen more than $600, he was arrested.
The lead article in the same paper read, "Buyers Like Pigs at A Trough," referring to the sale of improperly acquired flight vouchers on Southwest Airlines by a former employee of theirs, now associated with the Bexar County Courthouse. It seems this employee had access to stacks of these "Must Fly" vouchers and sold them for about $160. Depending on how these vouchers are used they could go as high as $600 in travel money. Most of the buyers were from the DA's office, other lawyers, clerks, and other employees there. The only ones charged were those who sold the tickets. The lawyers and company said they were duped. Southwest was taken for a ride.
Lastly, you've driven by the roadside signs of the millions available for the lucky one winner. The one more likely to be struck by lightning six times that win one lotto, but ah the thoughts of what one might or could do with the winnings.
Is it any wonder Jesus spoke more about money and material possessions than anything else? Jesus knew what was written to Timothy, "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
I've told the congregation that I've heard from dreamers who have said, "I'm going to win that jackpot and when I do, the church won't have any more worries about money!" I'm still waiting. And I'm wondering which of the big winners will not change their phone number, move away from family and friends, and hide for the rest of their lives holding on to that money like it was salvation itself.
This time of Lent should make us realize how truly rich we are right now. We may not have money, but friends, we are truly and wonderfully rich. One church here locally had on its sign, "Get Rich Quick: Count Your Blessings." I agree. We're rich indeed.
PRAYER: Lord God, I am truly and wonderfully rich. I may need some money here and there, as You're well aware, but I'm trusting You as I always have, for all things. Let me be among those whom You count as Your riches. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
