Paul commends the Macedonia church to the brethren at Corinth. The Macedonian church had experienced hardship but still wanted to give to the relief effort of the Jerusalem Church. We see that great grace was working in this church. Great grace manifests in giving.

The Bible tells us alot about living the wise versus the foolish life. Part of living in wisdom is not allowing our possessions or materialism to dictate terms to our lives. In the parable of the rich fool, a person is so caught up in the desire to multiply their possessions that they have lost sight of the reason for life.

In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains the relationship between money, possessions, and anxiety. Jesus explains that what we treasure in our lives betrays our hearts.

In Genesis 13 we learn that Abram is very rich. This is not an indictment on Abram. Abram shows us the way forward in how to deal with wealth. Abram is a man not controlled by his possessions.

David is facing a tough challenge. His advisors are telling him to run and flee but David knows God is his refuge. It seems the foundations are falling apart but David knows God is still on the throne.

In Genesis 22 Abraham is put to the test. God asked Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, the Son whom he loves. Abraham passes the test and God prevents Abraham from going through with the offering. One will find Genesis 22 has many connections to the crucifixion of Christ.

In Genesis 17 we are introduced to a prominent covenant sign that God commands from his people--circumcision. Circumcision was a command to set apart Hebrew boys as belonging to the LORD. Covenants are more binding than modern contracts. Covenants were not an exchange of goods but an exchange of people.

In Genesis 15, we realize it has been twenty years since God called Abraham and promised him offspring. Still, Abraham has no children. God ratifies his covenant promises with Abraham with the strange blood path ceremony. This week we learn how this covenant-forming ceremony points toward the crucifixion of Jesus.

God called Abraham to leave his country, his family, and his father's household. Abraham is leaving everything behind to go to an unknown land. In the New Testament we will learn that Abraham is the epitome of saving faith.

Psalm 10 asks the painful question, "Where is God when it seems like evil people prosper?" This is a question that many of us have asked. In the Psalm, we are told that God will judge and God will hold evil accountable.