In September we are focusing on Financial Stewardship...becoming great stewards who manage, multiply, and greatly increase all that God has entrusted to us.

Proverbs 23:4-5 says, "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven."

We are not to be toiling to acquire wealth... We are to seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness. But when we do this God promises to add things to us. Proverbs 10:22 says it is God's blessing that makes rich, and he adds no painful toil to it. We have work to do, but our work is to walk out God's plan and purpose for our life, and trust that he will add things to us. 

I was reminded of this the other night while reading Bible stories with my kids. We read about Peter lending his boat to Jesus and then Jesus telling Peter to cast his nets into the deep waters. Peter had toiled all night and had no fish to show for it. But when he followed Jesus, he had more than he could handle and had to get his partners to help. God's blessing added to him without any painful toil. 

Today's communion is a time of gratitude that God's blessing makes rich with no painful toil. And we are asking for his help to seek him first and to trust in his blessing to take care of us. 

Today's Health and Fitness Tip

The key to progress in our fitness is mastering the fundamentals. And an easy way to add some variety into the fundamentals is to change grips, stances, body position, or which equipment we use. For example, a simple bicep curl can be done standing, seated, kneeling, one arm at a time, alternating arms, with different grips and hand positions, and with dumbbells, barbells, bands, etc. All of these little changes can add a lot of variety.

 I am praying for you.

Daniel

P.S. Register for the Financial Stewardship Challenge Here - If you are already a partner you don't need to register.