In what ways can we avoid acting like the rich man in our lives? The Rich Man’s Offense (2 Samuel 12:4) “Then a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for his guest.” Recognize Where We Are Tempted to Imitate Him • Choosing convenience over compassion • Treating people as expendable resources • Protecting our comfort at another’s cost • Assuming our abundance is ours to use however we please Guarding Our Hearts: Practical Steps • Daily ask, “Whom might I overlook today?”—then act (Luke 10:31-33) • Set a regular rhythm of generosity before needs arise (1 Corinthians 16:2) • Track spending to see whether self or others benefit more (Matthew 6:21) • Invite trusted believers to speak up when they notice selfish patterns (Proverbs 27:6) Steward Resources Generously • Budget a “mercy fund” for unexpected needs (Galatians 6:10) • Share tools, vehicles, skills, time—not just money (Acts 4:32) • Remember that hoarding provokes God’s concern: “You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:3) Value People Above Possessions • Pause before any purchase: “Will this crowd out my ability to bless someone?” • Choose hospitality that inconveniences you—open the good china, not disposable plates (Hebrews 13:2) • Refuse to exploit someone’s vulnerability for personal gain (Leviticus 25:35-37) Maintain Accountability • Share giving goals with a spouse or close friend and review them quarterly • Serve regularly among the poor so faces replace statistics (Proverbs 19:17) • Confess quickly when greed surfaces; repentance keeps hearts soft (1 John 1:9) Cultivate Gospel-Shaped Humility • Remember the Lord’s poverty for our sake: “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9) • Pray over Christ’s self-emptying in Philippians 2:5-8 until it corrects any entitlement • Sing hymns that celebrate grace, shifting focus from possessions to the cross Remember God’s Ownership and Judgment • “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1) • We will “all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” to give an account (2 Corinthians 5:10) • Living with that day in view frees us to live open-handedly today Living Differently This Week • Identify one “ewe lamb” relationship—someone overlooked, under-resourced, or powerless—and meet a tangible need. • Fast from purchasing non-essentials for seven days; redirect the saved money to a kingdom cause. • Ask God each morning, “Show me where my abundance can meet another’s lack,” and act on the first prompting. |
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