Who . . . or What . . . is First in Your Life?

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8 (NKJV) In today’s society there is lots of pressure to have the best of everything. TV ads tout, “You deserve it!” Then, subconsciously and sometimes unrealistically, they embed in the minds of the susceptible that they can have it all. Lynda faithfully tithes to her church each payday, and also gives offerings. At Lynda’s workplace, though, Dana, a new employee, is hired. Beautiful and single, she dresses in name brand styles and drives an expensive sports car. Lynda’s boss extols Dana as the model professional woman and whenever their fi rm needs a representative, Dana is the one he sends. One day Dana, assigned to yet another function, tells the boss that she will need an extra hand. Just then, she spots Lynda checking her mail slot. “Would she be okay?” Dana asks. The boss approves. Meeting day arrives, and it’s lunchtime. Dana says, “There’ll be long lines everywhere. I could fi x us something quick at my house.” Lynda agrees. They speed away to Dana’s and once inside the opulent dwelling, Lynda, in her everyday outfit and “on clearance” shoes, has never felt dowdier and more out-of-place. “I’ll cut back on giving,” she thinks, “Don’t I deserve nice things, too?” Dana prepares their sandwiches and Cokes. Seated on stools at the counter, Lynda spots the stacks of bills on the countertop. Among them are overdue high-end dress shops, car payment reminders, and a furniture store’s “Final Notice.” Lynda silently reminds herself that although her salary is modest, she is debt free and lacks nothing. She also thanks God for the reminder that things are not always what they seem! Thank You, Father God, for the many ways in which You remind us that You will always provide for Your children who obey Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. – Kiki BelMonte-Schaller   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org