Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, February 26, 2018

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings."¹

On May 25, 2001, a set of Dorothy's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" sold for $660,000.00 at an auction of movie and TV memorabilia titled "A century of Hollywood" at Christie's East. According to an auction house spokesperson, the famous shoes had sold in 1988 for $150,000 at Christie's. The evening auction brought in more than $1.6 million.

Dorothy's ruby slippers sold for $660,000.00! Imagine that! In comparison, what is an eternal soul worth? There is no comparison! Obviously, the world thinks much more of earthly fame and material possessions than it does about eternal values.

I wonder how many Christians do the same, at least concerning material possessions. The answer to this question is found in how we spend our money and resources and on what we spend these. I have read that the average church spends 95% of its income on itself . . . and that only 3% of Christians tithe of their income to support God's work here on earth. What we do and what we giveâ€"and to what we give itâ€"speaks volumes as to what we value in life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you valued my soul so much that you gave your life to die on the cross to save me from sin's eternal damnation. Please help me place the same value on every human soul as you do and live and give accordinglyâ€"not just in words but in my actions and in my giving. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Malachi 3:8 (NIV).

<:))))><

2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
    Christian click on:

3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
    without charge to people around the world
    click on:

4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
    click on:

5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
    way with a friend click on:

6. For today's featured article click on:

7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
    Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

8. Change Address of your subscription to
    Daily Encounter click on: