Reading:
Luke 17:20-37

I live in a big house. I have a lot of stuff in it. Our property manager and our landlord require that we carry renter’s insurance. So if the house and the stuff burn, they can be replaced. (Well, that’s the idea, anyway!)

I’ve wondered what I would miss most if a fire consumed all the stuff we have. Would any of it be worth enough to me that I would risk my life to retrieve it from a burning building? No way, Charlie. My family and I are too valuable to risk for any other “valuable” like that.

Someday, fire will consume all stuff on this planet, my stuff included (if I’m still here and still own any of it). My renter’s insurance won’t do me any good then.

“In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back” (31).

Like the title says, First things first.

Do not let stuff endanger my safety.

That’s how I should live my life. No thing in this life is worth my soul. I purpose again to resist covetousness and materialism. I will continue fighting the urge to lay up treasures on earth. I want my mind and my affection set on things above, not on things of this earth.

[The kingdom of God is (Luke 17:21)]

from Luke 17:21

A little bit more from Luke 17: Give It Up for Jesus!

Reading:
Luke 17:1-19

I know I have done this (although not very often):

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith” (5).

But why should I want increased faith?

To move trees (or mountains)? No, not really. To heal sick people? Well, that would be beyond wonderful, but no. Then why ask for more and stronger faith?

I want to be a better, more pleasing, more faithful servant.

Without faith, there is no way to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Without faith, there is no way to live faithfully. And since “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4), I want more faith so I can do more living, justly!

I must remember to ask for (and truly want) more faith. Daily.

Lord, increase my faith.

[But where are the nine? (Luke 17:17)]

from Luke 17:17

A little bit more from Luke 17: Get on With Living