I get to talk about money from the Bible's perspective. God wants his followers to give to the needy. He has blessed you to give to the needy. In addition, this is focused on the individual. You may say that the church I attend gives to the needy - Amen for that, but here he speaks not to the church but the individual. Each of us as his followers should give to the needy.

So when we give, Jesus says:

-do not announce it in the synagogues or street corners (the hypocrites do it that way). Don't blow your own trumpet. They are giving to be seen and they get their reward of being seen, but they miss out on God's reward.

-he also says, do not let you right hand know what your left hand is doing - give in secret. You will get God's rewards

This guy (Luke 7:1-10) had money and did good things with it, but he did not think that his money meant that he deserved anything. Money did not make him big up himself. He used it to serve others (he built the synagogue there in Capernaum), but also he did not expect something in return. In addition, this guy was a Roman centurion, so he had power as well, yet he understood that Jesus' authority was bigger than his. He respected Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal long distance. Jesus need not be in the same place as the servant in order to heal him. How strong is God's authority in your life? Does it lead to an amazing faith? It should. Does it lead you to spend/save/invest/give money the way God prescribes?

Levi leaves his job to follow Jesus and in his gratitude for Jesus throws the banquet but also invites the people he knew.  He knew that they also needed Jesus.  This was a way they could come in contact with Jesus. Levi is set free by Jesus and he wants those he knows to be set free by Jesus. He uses his time and resources to go after influencing others to follow Jesus. When you consider retirement or your 2nd act, how do you envision spending your time? it should be that you are thinking now about how God wants you to spend your time in service to others.

The great focus of this episode is about Daniel's integrity and his work ethics. His coworkers could find nothing wrong with Daniel's work - he was not cooking the books or stealing or having an office affair. Daniel worked as if working for God. Daniel was about to be promoted. Because of this, his coworkers wanted to kill him. Yes, kill him - death by lion.

Esther had a chance to get up to half of the kingdom and she chose to save her people instead. Who was giving her financial advice? Who indeed? Great advice! Money and riches and wealth can be for many people something to go after or die trying. For Esther, the rescuing of people's lives was more important. This can sound like a no-brainer, but there are some who choose the money instead. I believe that as a Christian, my wealth journey needs to be guided by God and his Word. I cannot do things against God and expect to win. In my dealings, I need to be fair and not do anything illegal. I must have integrity as I work and offer services or sell products. We must choose right, based on God.

King Hezekiah knew what to do when trouble came. He went to God in prayer. He also saw God move in amazing ways. The Assyrians were defeated, and God gives him fifteen more years when a terminal illness threatened his life. But, we also will see from the Scriptures that when the envoys from Babylon came he showed them everything. I believe that the missing piece is that he did not give the glory to God. Our call is to trust in God and go to him in trouble as Hezekiah did, but also to give God the glory when he delivers.

This wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. She is a benefit to her husband and children and no doubt the community. She is a hard worker and provider with a head for business. She gets up early and stays up late burning the lamp at both ends. She takes care of the poor and needy whenever she can and prepares for winter when it isn't. What a woman!

In a dream, God puts it to Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. An interesting thing is that he knew it was God he was talking with. That means he could have asked for anything. It is not like your parent or friend saying ask for anything for your birthday. This is God saying whatever you want you will get it. Solomon chose wisdom. What would you have chosen?

God gives wisdom to you when you ask. Not just knowledge, but understanding how to apply the knowledge. Armed with wisdom, there is nothing you cannot do.

David had an opportunity to get away scot-free without spending a dime but instead wants to sacrifice for God. Trust me when I tell you that I love free things just as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when each of us needs to put our hands in our pockets and contribute to God's work getting done. And here David shows that it isn't just contributing but sacrificing.

'Jabez' sounds like the Hebrew for pain. His mother associated him with pain. Imagine growing up labeled as one who causes pain. He may have been picked on. He may have had an issue finding a girlfriend/wife. No one typically wants to hang around with someone who causes pain. This is the backdrop of Jabez' life.