The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.

 A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, “Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need. Why give him gold?”

Alexander responded in royal fashion, “Copper coins would suit the beggar’s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”

What does your giving have to say about your character? No, I’m not soliciting. I’m doing fine financially. However, my concern is for others who aren’t living up to their potential. Does the Scripture address this? Glad you asked.

2 Corinthians 9:7 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 20:35 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

These folks with needs that we can meet will be placed in our path. What should we do? Give it some thought.

Gary

There are two times in a man’s life when he should not speculate: when he can’t afford it, and when he can.

–       Mark Twain

Mark sure had that one right. He wasn’t much for the Word of God, but God didn’t create stupid. Common sense is not so common, and when we hear it, we’re amazed. How are you doing in that area? If you don’t have it, get an education in Bible principles or consider this prayer.

Proverbs 30:8-9

Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Just enough to get through is probably a safer goal. Give it some consideration.

Gary

When Mahatma Gandhi was the spiritual leader of India, he was asked by some missionaries, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in India?” His reply was, “Christians.” 

Any student of history can understand that statement. The American Indian, Muslims, Anabaptists, Catholics, Mormons and Jews have in the past suffered in what was called Christianity at that time. Even at the present time, it’s the professing Christian that’s the major hindrance to the gospel.

The following words have rung true down through the years.

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, with what shall it be salted? It is thereafter good for nothing but to be thrown out and walked on by the people.

Don’t add to the suffering of others; be a real Christian. Give it some thought.

Gary

“I come from a stupid family. During the Civil War, my great uncle fought for the west!” – Rodney Dangerfield

Sometimes, you must decide whose side you’re on. Does the Bible address this fact? Glad you asked.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Wrong choice! If your commitment is not to Christ, your choice is wrong. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

A convenience food today is chicken already cooked. In grandmother’s time, it was a chicken she didn’t have to kill personally.

–       Bill Vaughan

Times change and some things get easier while others get more complicated. Text messaging, TV, Facebook, YouTube, cellphones and AI can lead to insufferable consequences. Maybe the old ways were better even if grandma had to wring the chicken’s neck.  Some things don’t change, however.   The end for the fowl in question remains the same, dead. So, it will be with us, dead.

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
    and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
    and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Proverbs 22:28

 Do not move the ancient landmark
    that your fathers have set.

Consider the old ways and give it some thought.

Gary

The test was in Algebra 1 my freshman year of high school and I aced it.  A week later, the teacher gave the exact same test, and I failed it. He accused me of having cheated on the first test, and I hadn’t. It’s not that I hadn’t cheated before because I had. Maybe it was just a way that karma works. That’s how most would describe that event.

Looking back on that now, I don’t believe it was karma. However, I really don’t have an explanation for it. I did finish the course but not without some problems with him.

Today, I’m not so concerned with the things in my life that can’t be explained because of the mountain of things that I can explain. I really need to capitalize on them and not be so concerned on the former.

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

There are things here we just must leave alone because there is no explanation. Give it some thought.

By the way, 3x+7=22 and x is 5.

Gary

He pushed the hundred-dollar bill across the table and said to me, “This is to preach my funeral.”

I said, “I won’t take the money, but I will do your funeral.” He was an old friend, a veteran, a man who had pushed through some difficult days and was now facing the demon of cancer, and it was winning.

He said emphatically, “You will take the money, and you will do what I asked.”

I said to myself, “Suck it in, Gardner, and don’t get emotional.”

In the journey God chose for me, there are many scenes just like that. I don’t like being in them, but who will be there for my friends and acquaintances? If someone leaves behind something worth remembering at a funeral service, I’d like to be part of it for their sake and those left behind.

Maybe you feel like he did. I’ll be there for you, and you can pocket the hundred dollars. Give it some thought.

Hebrews 11:4 

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Gary