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For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

One of the saddest stories in the Bible is that of Judas Iscariot. He had been an apostle, one of the twelve disciples that Jesus sent out with the gospel message ahead of him. But Judas gave room to greed in his heart, and the love of money led him to betray his teacher. For the chance to gain thirty pieces of silver, perhaps the equivalent of a few months’ wages, Judas handed the world’s only truly innocent man over to the men who were eager to kill him. When what he had done finally sank in, it was too late. Judas ended his life in despair.

Unfortunately, Judas’ tragedy is not an uncommon one. Many others, too, have allowed their love of money and greed to lead them to do terrible things. Go down the list of commandments, and you will see that for each one, it’s not difficult to think of sins that people have been willing to commit, just for some financial gain. Con artists and charlatans, hit men, prostitutes, and phony preachers, those who commit treason or steal from their parents, are just a handful of examples of evil acts that flow from a love of money.

But the worst of it, the Bible warns us, is that greed ultimately leads us away from God when left unchecked. The apostle Paul wrote: “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Even believers put their faith in jeopardy when they follow their hearts’ sinful longings for more. Christians will always carefully consider, for example, whether their overtime at work or a side hustle isn’t interfering with their ability to be more regularly in God’s Word and with God’s people.

What do we do when we search our hearts and find such temptations? Turn from it and turn toward Jesus. Confess to God your struggles with greed and materialism. Trust his promises to forgive you for the sake of his Son, who paid for that guilt and who covers you with his holy life.

Lord Jesus, remind me of the true, lasting treasures that you have won for me in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Godliness with contentment is great gain.

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus wrote, “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.” What would it take to make you content and happy with where you are in life? How much more would you need to gain than what you have right now? The apostle Paul wrote, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Does that seem like setting the bar too low? The problem is that wherever you draw the line today, our fallen human nature will likely find that to be too little tomorrow.

Six centuries before Epicurus, another wise man also reflected on the theme of contentment. After a long and prosperous reign, King Solomon recognized that he had been blessed by God with riches and fame and just about everything else this world has to offer. But what was the meaning of it all, if he was just going to die and leave it all behind anyway? Life is short, and health, wealth, and happy moments come and go. After reflection, Solomon observed, “when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). You see, contentment doesn’t come after gain. Scripture flips it around: contentment itself is the gain. Contentment itself is a gift from God.

One more man blessed with wisdom, Augustine of Hippo, wrote this prayer: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” If you feel constantly dissatisfied in life, it is unlikely that you are lacking some material thing. More likely, you are trying to fill a hole in your heart that can only be filled by your Creator. We were made by God to walk with him, to desire to be in his presence, and to find satisfaction in his love. But when we turned our hearts away from our Maker, he came in pursuit of us. His own Son, Jesus, was not content until he had made satisfaction for our sins and won for us a seat by his side in heaven.

Heavenly Father, help me find joy and contentment in your loving presence. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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[Jesus said] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy story The Lord of the Rings, the pitiful creature named Gollum finds himself under the thrall of a magical ring. He is so driven by his desire for the ring that he is willing to risk everything, to sacrifice even loved ones, to be in possession of what he comes to call his “precious.” In the novel, the author masterfully describes Gollum’s internal conflict between wanting to show gratitude to the person who treated him with grace and wanting the ring that person possessed. He desired both, but he could choose only one. Ultimately, the ring’s mastery over Gollum’s heart leads him to a tragic end.

Jesus warned his followers against allowing the things of this world to have mastery over them. Wealth and property are not evil in themselves. The problem is when these things adversely affect our relationship with God, when they distract us to the point of forgetting that we are servants who already have a master—the Lord God who created us, who blesses us with all good things, and who has redeemed us from sin and death through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.

Do you struggle with such thoughts? When you are depressed, anxious, lonely, or just plain bored, do you find yourself looking for consolation in things you can purchase, own, or consume? Are your decisions in life motivated more by the “bottom line” or the desire to get ahead than by your relationship to God and trust in his providence? Be careful, Jesus says. You cannot serve two masters. Put aside the false glory of fleeting fortune and the pointless chasing after temporary gains. Turn to Jesus, who laid aside his heavenly glory and gladly gave his life for you, because you are precious in his sight. Then learn from him, your loving Lord, to use the things of this world in the service of his kingdom rather than the other way around.

Lord Jesus, you have redeemed me that I might live under you in your kingdom and serve you in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Help me to that end. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The LORD has sworn by himself, the Pride of Jacob, “I will never forget anything they have done.”

We wondered what had produced the strong smell in our car. An air freshener gone awry? A discarded banana peel from our daughter’s lunch bag? A malfunctioning exhaust system?

It turned out that an errant pear had rolled under the seat on the passenger side. We didn’t realize what had happened until our son sought the source of the smell. He found the half-rotted pear, removed it, and did his best to eliminate the stench.

In the days of Amos the prophet, the Lord God of Israel compared his people to a basket of ripe fruit. (See Amos 8:1-3.) Their sinful excess and blatant idolatry smelled like rotten fruit to the Lord. He threatened his judgment. Assyria would soon sweep away the northern kingdom of Israel.

The Lord’s words should have disturbed every listener in Israel. He swore by himself, the Pride of Jacob, to never forget the evil they had done. His patience had run out. The end had come.

Most of the people who listened to Amos’ message did not take him seriously. They despised him as a foreigner from the southern kingdom of Judah who had come to meddle in the affairs of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Within a generation, God carried out his threat. The kingdom of Israel collapsed.

The same God speaks to the world today through his ancient prophet, whose words remain true for this generation. He speaks against the sinful excess and blatant idolatry in our lives. How can the Almighty forget the evil we have done?

Yet he makes a promise that repentant sinners love to hear. The God who says, “I will never forget anything they have done” has also declared, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Through Jesus Christ, he has kept this promise. Repent and believe the good news.

Righteous God, forgive me, renew me, bless me, and keep me steadfast in your gracious love through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus drew crowds. Some came to be healed, others came to criticize, but we are told the tax collectors and “sinners,” came just to listen to him. Jesus knew what kind of people they were, yet didn’t put them down. They were lost and knew it. They realized that Jesus had something to give them, something they needed and had probably wanted to find for most of their lives. Word spread about this gift and soon they were all gathering around Jesus.

There was another group watching how Jesus interacted with the “sinners” crowd. They despised both Jesus and the “sinners,” expressing disdain over the fact that Jesus welcomed and even ate with them. “How low can he go,” they must have thought. These Pharisees and law teachers were sure they were in good shape with man and God. They figured they had earned God’s favor by making and keeping the laws they dug out of the Old Testament as well as new laws they added.

To both groups, Jesus reached out with some wonderful stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son (Luke 15:3-32). In each case, someone was looking for the lost one. That someone is God, who is always seeking the lost, which includes everyone. Jesus came to make clear how God is committed to us, not because we are inherently good, but because he is!

He loves all lost people and showed that love by sacrificing his only Son, Jesus Christ. What excitement and hope Jesus gave to the crowd that day! He offered them a place with him in heaven. They understood that the stories were about them. Those who believed in him were found!

God is assuring you of his forgiving love in Jesus. In response, find ways to show and share the love of Jesus with every person he brings into your life.

Dear Father, thank you for finding me and helping me to see how much you love each person. Please use me to share your gospel message. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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[Jesus said] “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. . . In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

I have met some amazing people in my life who have turned their lives around. I have friends who have battled addiction but eventually got clean and now go to church. I have friends who came to faith in Jesus Christ during a stint in prison. I have friends who, in their younger years, partied harder than most but have now left that sin behind and follow Jesus. I love these people. I am so proud of these friends of mine. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ!

But to be honest, not everyone in their lives is excited for them as I am or as you would be. They have siblings who lost out on the college money Mom and Dad had saved up because they had to put their brother through rehab. There were people in the bank who were terrorized the day that my friend tried to rob it. My friends’ promiscuity and partying left a lot of emotional wounds on those people with whom they broke ties.

It’s easy to celebrate with everyone who repents and says, ‘We’re all sinners, but Jesus forgives us all!’ But what about when that person who sinned inflicted pain on MY life? At times, that can be a tough thing for me to do.

But do you know who does forgive so freely? Jesus. And the sins of those people brought about more pain upon Jesus than anything those sins could have ever done to me or you. Yet, Jesus still forgives them. He rejoices whenever anyone repents. The angels of heaven celebrate with joy beyond measure! And so, we will as well. Rejoice with those who repent, those who turn to Christ for forgiveness, because Jesus has forgiven them just as he has forgiven you.

Dear Jesus, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me and brought pain into my life. Help me to rejoice with those who repent just as you and the angels rejoice in heaven when they do. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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[Jesus said] “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

How much are you worth? Usually, when you ask someone this question, they try to calculate the value of their assets minus the debt they owe and then give a number. But you’re worth more than that, aren’t you? For example, my children have hardly any money in their bank accounts. They don’t have any assets that anyone would say are valuable. But even if you were to offer me one billion dollars to sell my child to you, I would never consider it in a million years.

You are valued! And no one can put a price tag on your worth. The Bible tells us that we are valued and treasured because Jesus says so. He doesn’t value you because you’re so sweet or so wonderful or because you do so many nice things for him. He values you simply because you are his. You were so valued and treasured by Jesus that he was willing to give up his life for you, to shed his holy and precious blood for you. And because of that, you are a blood-bought, child of God, a treasure worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox!

You might think that you have done things that would disqualify you from Jesus’ love, shameful things that would make God turn away from you and never want to have anything to do with you. But that’s just not true! There is nothing you could do to make God never love you, and there will never come a time when he won’t seek you out because you are precious to him and loved by him.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving up your life and making me your child. I am sorry for the times I have strayed from you. Help me to remain close to you every day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

One time, I lost my son at Disney World. We had just come off a ride, cut through the gift shop at the end, but when we turned around and looked, he was gone. Thankfully, we found him in less than thirty minutes, but it felt like it was forever. My heart was racing. My palms were sweaty. My wife had trouble breathing. It was a gut-wrenching experience.

In the Bible story we’re looking at today, Jesus uses an illustration where he says that we are like the sheep of his flock and he is like our shepherd. If one of the flock wanders off, the shepherd doesn’t cut his losses and reason to himself, “At least I have the others. I’ll cut my losses!” No! Just like I did not say to my wife, “Oh well. We didn’t lose all the kids. Le’s just move on.” That would be ridiculous!

When Jesus sees us, his sheep, wandering off away from him, when he sees us lost in sin and blinded by the devil’s lies, he makes it his mission as our Good Shepherd to seek us out. And that’s what he has done! Maybe you have found yourself wandering away from Jesus lately. Maybe when you were growing up, your parents took you to church, but as you got older you took a little break. But guess what! You’re reading this right now! Jesus has never stopped looking for you, and he celebrates the fact that he found you again!

Dear Jesus, forgive me for wandering away from you. Continue to lead and guide me through your Holy Word all the days of my life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

What were you like in high school? Were you in the marching band as part of the halftime show, or were you the one scoring touchdowns underneath the Friday night lights? Did you sing in the chorus or act on stage? Did you ace every test and quiz or just get by? Were you one of the “cool” kids or were you a “nerd”?

I have taught high school kids. I have three teenagers myself. And, as much as they can’t fathom it, Dad was a high school kid once upon a time, too! I get it. High school can be hard. Sometimes, two best friends will end their friendship because one starts dating the other’s ex. Sometimes, that one queen bee can lead, and others will follow, not wanting to make waves because they don’t want to be ousted from the group. I’ve seen it. You have too. You were there in high school.

But with Jesus, all are welcome. Yes, he wants 4.0 brainiacs, but he also wants the kids who got detention every week. Yes, he wants the pretty prom queen, but he also wants the girl who didn’t get asked to the dance. Yes, he wants the family who faithfully shows up for church every Sunday, but he also wants the ones who don’t. My point is that ALL are welcome with Jesus, and all includes YOU! Jesus doesn’t discriminate. Jesus doesn’t exclude. Jesus doesn’t care about your looks, your humor, your athletic ability, or your I.Q. He loved YOU so much that he was willing to give up his life to get you right with God, and that love wasn’t conditional on anything about you. He simply gives it to you and welcomes you into not just a friend group but into the family of God.

No matter who you are, you’re welcome with Jesus!

Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins and welcoming me into your family. Help me to reach out to those around me who feel like they don’t have anyone and let me welcome them as you have welcomed me. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

Sometimes people who don’t go to church have a misconception about those people who do: ‘They think they’re better than me.’ If I’m honest, there have been times when I have looked down upon other people because of the train wrecks they’ve made of their lives, and I think to myself, ‘Well, at least I didn’t do that.’ Shame on me for thinking like that. It’s wrong. It’s repulsive. It’s sinful.

But the more I have gotten to know other Christians and the more open they have been about their life stories; I’m met with this reality: Everyone is broken. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. Everyone has moments they wish they could take back because that action anchors their heart with guilt. EVERYONE. I am not an exception to this. And you aren’t either.

And that, my friend, is why we gather around Jesus, because Jesus is the solution to our shame! God wanted to be with his children, but sin separated us from him. So, God sent his Son to dive into this world of broken people and tell us what he was going to do about our sin—he died for it. He gave his life on the cross for us. He loves us and wants us to know that. And THAT is why we go to church—to gather around Jesus, to celebrate the forgiveness that God so freely gives to us.

Maybe you’ve had that misconception about people who go to church, but they’re just like you; they’re broken. However, they have found peace in Jesus and want you to have it too. So, take a chance! Stop into church and you’ll meet some wonderful people who will love you. But even better, you’ll meet your Savior who loves you infinitely more!

Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Bless me as I reach out to those who are hurting and aching because of their guilt. May they come to know the forgiveness that is theirs because of Jesus. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.