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But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Here’s a wild thought: God wants you to be rich.

Not in cash. Not in gift cards. But in contentment.

Paul writes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). In other words? Being rich isn’t about what’s in your wallet. It’s about what’s in your heart.

Most people think if they just had a little more, then they’d be happy. More money. More stuff. More success. But Paul warns that chasing wealth doesn’t bring freedom, it brings chains.

“Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1Timothy 6:10).

Think about that. They thought they were gaining. Instead, they lost. Money made them restless. Greedy. Trapped.

But then Paul offers a different way: “Put your hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Be rich in good deeds, generous, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

This is the secret to real wealth: Not hoarding but giving. Not chasing more but resting in enough. The richest person in the room? The one who trusts God and lives with open hands who can only give because God’s grace has already given us everything.

So, what are you chasing? Take a look at your Savior—you already have more than enough!

Father, help us treasure what truly matters. Make us rich in faith, love, and generosity. Amen.

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Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, 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. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How much money would it take for you to be totally satisfied? A hundred dollars? A thousand? A million?

King Solomon—one of the richest men in history—answers that question for us: “More.”

That’s the trap. Money never says “enough.” It keeps whispering, “Just a little more, and then you’ll be happy.”

But here’s the thing: Money buys things. Like shoes. Phones. Snacks. Vacations. But it can’t buy peace. It can’t buy a purpose for your life. It can’t buy forever.

Solomon saw it firsthand. Riches disappear. People spend their lives chasing wealth, and then what? They die, leaving it all behind. But those who chase God? They’re rich in something money can’t touch—contentment. Joy. Eternal treasure.

This isn’t about saying money is bad. Money is a tool, and tools are useful. It can buy food, pay for a house, or help people in need. But when money stops being a tool and starts being a master, it ends up controlling us instead of us controlling it. That’s why Paul warns that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Not money itself. The love of it.

So, what are you chasing? What do you think will finally make you “rich”? Because if it’s anything but Jesus, you’ll always feel like you need more.

That’s the beauty of Jesus’ shout from the cross: “It is finished!” The thirst for more? Over. Real treasure? Yours. Your future? Secure in the scarred hands of Jesus who didn’t pay money for you but shed his blood.

God, keep our hearts from the trap of “more.” Teach us to find joy in you alone. Amen.

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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.’ “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.” Luke 15:1-10 (selected verses)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ever lost something super important? A favorite stuffed animal? A video game, even your phone? You didn’t just shrug and walk away. You searched under the couch. You tore apart your room. You turned the house upside down!

That’s the kind of searching Jesus describes in these parables. A shepherd risks everything for one lost sheep. A woman turns her whole house upside down for a single coin. Why? Because to them, that one thing matters.

And Jesus’ point? That’s how much you matter to God.

When you wander, he chases. When you fall, he lifts you up. And when you come home, all of heaven throws a party.

Let’s pause on that. Heaven celebrates every single time someone turns back to God. No eye rolls. No half-hearted claps. We’re talking a full-blown, angel-cheering, trumpet-blasting, joyful celebration!

Some people think God is distant. Uninterested. Like he’s waiting with a clipboard, checking off rules because he’s hard to please. But these parables tell a different story. God isn’t waiting for you to clean yourself up before he cares. He’s searching for you right now because you are worth finding.

What about the people around you? Maybe there’s someone you know who feels lost. Maybe they think they’ve messed up too badly to be loved.

Tell them the truth: God hasn’t given up on them. Heaven is ready to celebrate them.

Father, thank you for searching for us when we wander. Help us celebrate your grace every day. Amen.

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If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Imagine this: You’ve messed up. Big time. Maybe you lost your temper with a friend, cheated on a test, or said something mean you wish you could take back. Now, imagine walking into a room full of people who know exactly what you did.

What do you expect? Glares? People whispering about you? A cold shoulder—nobody wants to sit next to you?

Now, what if—instead of rejection—you got welcomed? A smile. A hug. Someone saying, “We’re glad you’re here.”

That’s what Paul is telling the Corinthians to do. Someone in their church had fallen into serious sin. At first, the congregation had to confront it. That’s important—sin can’t be ignored. But now? He has repented. He was broken over what he had done. And Paul says, “Forgive him. Comfort him. Reaffirm your love for him.”

Why? Because that’s what Jesus does for us.

We sin. We grieve God. But when we turn back, what does he do? Arms open. No crossed arms. No “I told you so.” Just full, real, undeserved grace.

Paul warns: If we refuse to forgive, we’re playing into Satan’s hands. The enemy wants guilt to crush people. He wants shame to keep them far from God. But Jesus? He crushes shame. He restores. He welcomes us back.

This isn’t always easy. Sometimes we want to hold onto anger. We want people to earn their way back. But grace doesn’t work that way. It’s freely given.

So, who in your life needs your welcome today? Maybe a classmate who messed up. A sibling who got on your nerves. A friend who said something unkind. Who needs to know that because of Jesus, there’s a way back home?

Jesus, thank you for never turning us away. Teach us to forgive like you do. Amen.

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The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea 3:1-5

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ever tried calling a pet that doesn’t want to be caught? Like a dog darting through the neighborhood, ears back, tail high, zigzagging just out of reach? You call. You chase. You promise treats. Still, they don’t come.

Now imagine that pet is a person—someone you love. And they’re running from you. Worse, they’re running from God.

That’s the heartbreak of Hosea. God tells him to chase after his wife, Gomer, who keeps walking away from him, choosing anything but to be faithful. She’s broken her promises. Hurt their relationship. But still, God says: “Go. Love her. Bring her home.”

Why? Because this is how God loves us.

We wander. We mess up. We pick everything (video games, friends, sports, or other stuff) before him. And yet—he chases. He calls us back. He refuses to stop loving. He refuses to stop forgiving.

Sound reckless? Undeserved? It is. And that’s grace.

Hosea’s story is our story. A love so stubborn, so relentless, so committed that it doesn’t quit when we do. In Jesus, God took his pursuit to the ultimate level—paying for our rescue, not just with silver and gold, but with his own life.

If you’ve ever felt unworthy, ever wondered if God could still love you after everything you’ve done—you don’t have to wonder. He’s chasing after you. You are wanted. You are his.

And if there’s someone in your life who’s running from him? Don’t give up on them. Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep chasing. Because that’s what God does for us.

Father, thank you for chasing after us even when we run the wrong way. Help us trust in your love and reflect it to others. Amen.

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[Jesus said] Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 (EHV)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

There was a girl who had just finished high school. She had never opened a Bible before. Then her boyfriend invited her to a Bible Instruction Class at church. In that class she learned amazing things:

She loved Bible class so much she never missed a week!

But after a while, she noticed something: life actually felt harder now that she was a Christian. So, she asked her pastor, “Does it make sense that my life is more difficult now that I believe in Jesus?”

How do you think Jesus would answer? He already did! Jesus said: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

Jesus even told a story to explain. He said it’s like a person who wants to build a tower. First, you have to sit down and figure out if you have enough money and supplies to finish it. If you start the tower but can’t finish, people will laugh and say, ‘Look at that! He started but didn’t finish!’ (Luke 14:28-30).

What’s Jesus saying? Being a disciple—someone who follows Jesus—can be hard. It means saying “no” to some things you want, but you know God doesn’t want for you. It means choosing God’s way even when temptation looks easier. It means carrying a cross.

But here’s the good part: following Jesus also gives us joy that never runs out. That girl from Bible class realized she was now called a “Child of God.” That didn’t make her problems disappear, but it gave her life meaning, purpose, and a forever future with Jesus in heaven.

So yes—being a Christian can be difficult. But it also brings the deepest joy, because we know the cross we carry now will one day be replaced with a crown.

Dear Jesus, following you isn’t always easy. Sometimes it feels heavy, like carrying a cross. But thank you for reminding us that you carried the heaviest cross for us—when you died on the cross to save us. Give us strength to keep going and keep our eyes on the forever joy of heaven with you. In your name we pray. Amen.

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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon, our dear friend and coworker. For I have received great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. I have sent him [Onesimus] (who is my very heart) back to you. Welcome him. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your kindness would not be the result of compulsion, but of willingness. Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while: so that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. He certainly is dear to me, but he is even more of a dear brother to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How many of the 66 books of the Bible have you read? Did you know one of them is so short you can read the whole thing in about 2 minutes? I tried it out loud—it took me 123 seconds! That book is called Philemon (say it like: Fy-LEE-mon). It’s short, but it packs a big lesson about Christian love.

There are three important people in the story:

And here is how these three people fit together: Onesimus used to be Philemon’s slave, but one day, he ran away to Rome. And guess who he bumped into there? Paul! You can’t make this up! What a neat example that God is always in control, even when life sometimes feels out of control!

When Paul met Onesimus, he told him about Jesus—and Onesimus became a believer. Now Paul is writing to Philemon and saying, “When Onesimus comes back, don’t treat him like a slave anymore. Treat him like a dear Christian brother.”

That’s a big lesson for us too. Even when we get mad at someone or when they hurt us, God wants us to see them the way he sees them—as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Think about the Lord’s Prayer. When we say, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” here’s what we’re really saying: “God, thank you for forgiving me. Help me to forgive others the same way.” That’s exactly what Paul was encouraging Philemon to do for Onesimus. Compelled by the forgiveness God has given to Philemon, Paul encourages Philemon to welcome Onesimus with open arms.

So tonight, why not grab a Bible and read Philemon out loud with your family? It’ll only take a couple minutes, and you’ll hear the whole story for yourself. A story of a family showing Christian love!

Lord, thank you for the inside view into the lives of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. What a heart-warming letter that also encourages us to show Christian love with those around us. When it’s hard to forgive, remind us of how much you have forgiven us. Give us chances to show that same love to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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See now, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster. This is what I am commanding you today: Love the LORD your God, walk in his ways, and keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and increase in number, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are going to possess. But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen, and you are lured away, and you bow down to other gods and serve them, then I declare to you today that you will most certainly perish.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jett and Eli were on a big ten-day backpacking trip. Somewhere along the trail on day eight, they lost their water pump that cleaned dirty water. By the end of day nine, they were SO thirsty. The park ranger had warned them before they left: “Don’t drink water from streams unless you clean it first—it could make you sick!” But Jett decided, “I can’t wait. I’m drinking now.” Eli thought, “I’ll wait until we get back to the car.”

A few days later, Jett got really sick from tiny bacteria in the water. Thankfully, he got better after going to the doctor, but the whole experience is a good picture for us to think about today’s devotion text.

The Lord gives a command not because he hates his people but because he loves us. He tells us to walk in his ways and keep his commandments, listen to our parents, and show love to our classmates. That’s not always easy, but it’s always good for us.

When we follow God’s ways, we’re showing an attitude of faith, of trusting him. We trust that Jesus forgave our sins when he lived, died, and rose for us. We trust that he has our well-being in mind when he tells us to listen to our parents and show love to our classmates. We trust that living that way opens the door to share Jesus with others.

But just like Jett, it’s so easy to think only about right now. “I’m thirsty—I want water NOW.” Or “I’m mad—I want to yell NOW.” Or “Candy looks good—I want it NOW.” That’s short-term thinking. Eli waited, thought about what would happen later, and waited until he got back to the parking lot to drink clean water.

When it comes to our spiritual lives, God wants us to think about the long-term too. This week we’ll see that being a Christian disciple isn’t always easy in the short-term, but God promises long-term gain. Stay focused on Jesus and his love for you and look forward to eternity in the joys of heaven!

Dear Lord, help us think what’s best for the long-term and not just what feels good right now. Help us stay focused on your will and your love—the kind that you showed us on the cross. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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One Sabbath day, when Jesus went into the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat bread, they were watching him closely. When he noticed how they were selecting the places of honor, he told the invited guests a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline in the place of honor, or perhaps someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him. The one who invited both of you may come and tell you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then you will begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. “But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a higher place.’ Then you will have honor in the presence of all who are reclining at the table with you. “Yes, everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:1,7-11 (EHV)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Barry Sanders. Have you ever heard of him? After devotion today (with the permission of an adult), try googling “Barry Sanders Highlights.” You will see ten minutes of amazing, jaw-dropping football moves. Lots of people say he was the best running back to ever play the game.

After Barry juked and spun and broke tackle after tackle, and finally ran into the endzone, what do you think he did? Most athletes would pound their chests, spike the ball, or do a celebration dance. But not Barry. He would just hand the ball to the referee and quietly head back to the sideline. He didn’t brag. He didn’t show off. He was used to scoring. And he knew he would be there again.

In a way, that describes you, dear child of God. God has secured for you your very own best place at the table. Because Jesus has taken away your sins and given you his perfect record, God has written your name in the reservation book of heaven. And you are going to enjoy being there day after day after day . . . a forever celebration!!

When you remember that, you don’t have to praise and exalt yourself right now. You can be humble and give God all the praise for what he has done for you. That will show itself in how you live: You’ll put others first. You’ll care for people who are hurting. You’ll tell them that they too have a place at the table in heaven because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

So . . . be like Barry!

You don’t need to grandstand or show off. Just hand the ball to the ref—you’re used to getting the touchdowns Jesus has won for you! That truth sets you free, not to brag, but to be humble in service to others!

Dear Lord, we thank you that we are your dear special children through Jesus. Thank you for saving a place for me at the banquet table in heaven. Because of that amazing gift, help me to be humble and serve others until the day that we receive the eternal victory that is ours in heaven through Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen.

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My brothers, have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing favoritism. James 2:1(EHV)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

He was one of the poorest people in town. His coat was old and stained. His shoes were held together with duct tape. And he didn’t smell the best.

It took a while, but he finally accepted the pastor’s invitation to come to church. And when the pastor came out to greet the people at the beginning of the service, he immediately noticed something. His guest was sitting right next to one of the wealthiest men in town.

But that’s not what God noticed that Sunday.

What God noticed was two equally sinful human beings sitting together, confessing their sins and hearing the same message of forgiveness—grace for all!

That’s what James tells us in today’s verse: “My brothers, have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ without showing favoritism.”

There are lots of differences between your friends at school. Some are loud, some are quiet. Some are tall, some are short. Some are superfast, and others are supersmart. Noticing differences isn’t wrong—God made us all special in different ways! But what’s wrong is when we start thinking: “That person is more important . . . and that person doesn’t matter as much.”

God wants you to look at your rich friend, your funny friend, your serious friend, your smelly friend, your friend who struggles with reading, and your friend who is really good at sports all the same way—as unique dear souls who need Jesus. Just like you. We all have the same problem that has consequences. We are all sinners who deserve to be separated from God for all eternity in a real place called hell.

But here’s another similarity: Jesus died for the rich and the poor, the popular and the unpopular, the person with the rusty old car and the one with a shiny new Tesla. That’s grace for ALL!

Remember that guest at church? He did notice he was sitting next to one of the wealthiest men in town. But the most important thing he remembered was this: They stood side by side, confessed their sins and heard the best news in the world, “Your sins are forgiven.”

That’s grace for all!

Dear Lord, you have made all of us uniquely different. Help me not to rank people by what they look like, how smart they are, or what they own. Help me see others the way you see them—as people you love, people you died to save, people you have forgiven. Thank you for giving grace to all of us. In your name we pray, Amen.

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