The AMI QT Devotionals from April 3-9 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Peter is a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT FOR TODAY
“Our Attitude towards Money”
1 Cor. 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Have you ever thought about what factors have shaped your attitude towards finances? If you are an eager saver, where did you pick up those habits? If you are a generous giver, do you think it’s just your personality? If you are a carefree spender, have you ever paused to consider why you spend as much as you do?
As a pastor, I don’t ignore this topic during pre-marital counseling, since some studies indicate that couples argue about finances more than any other topic, no matter how much or how little they own. Some say that frequent financial arguments early in marriages may actually serve as a predictor of divorces. So, why would people who love each other deeply argue so much when it comes to finances?
Early on in our marriage, we, too, had our share of disagreements over this. We realized that joining of two people entailed joining two totally different orientations towards money. Money operates as a metaphor representing status or security or enjoyment opportunity among other things. At the times I wanted security, my wife wanted enjoyment; and at the times she wanted security, I wanted status, and so forth. Eventually, we had to sit down together and talk about why we viewed finances so differently and how we would move forward. We had to figure out who or what would shape our view of finances.
Here, Paul instructs the Corinthian believers how to handle a portion of their income at the beginning of each week. They are to set aside a sum of money as a collection that will provide relief for other believers. “But Paul isn’t just interested in raising money to help those who don’t have very much. He wants this to be a sign of something more, something bigger: to signal to the Gentile Christians that they are part of the same family as the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem; and, more importantly still, to signal to the Jewish Christians that those Gentiles out there are part of the same family as they are.” (Wright, N.T)
With that unifying goal of love in mind, Paul begins to shape a new way in which the Corinthian believers are to behave when it comes to money.
Earlier, I asked if you’ve ever thought about the factors that have shaped your attitude towards finances. I have another important question. Do the teachings of Scripture about money shape your attitude towards money?
Prayer: Lord, thanks for providing for me all these years. Please help me to be more generous towards You in recognition of Your Lordship in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: 2 Timothy 2
I think almost everyone would agree that the role of a spiritual leader (e.g., pastor, small group leader, or ministry leader) is critical to God’s family. With this understanding, the topic of leadership has been studied in seminaries, churches, conferences, etc. We hold the view that the heathier the leader, the healthier the church or the small group. It is most likely with this assumption that the book Emotionally Healthy Leader has been read by hundreds and thousands of spiritual leaders.
As you’ve been serving the Lord over the years, most definitely you’ve experienced joy, passion, growth, and a sense of satisfaction. As a pastor, I love hearing from our church members that “so-and-so” just accepted Christ. The news brings so many people so much joy. At the same time, it’s very likely you’ve also had a fair share of fatigue, disappointment, failure, perhaps even betrayal. I’m sure you are battling against the cynical spirit that wants to devour you. That cynicism wants you to buffer yourself from taking risks once again, actively serving the Lord’s purposes.
The AMI QT Devotionals from April 3-9 are provided by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego. Peter is a graduate of U.C. Riverside and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). He and his wife Jessica have three very active children: Nathan, Abigail, and Jason. 
As you get a little bit older, you’re a little bit wiser (or at least you should be). It’s one of the benefits of getting older as God’s children. But, you also begin to notice that your body isn’t what it used to be. I remember when I was younger, if I ever twisted my ankle playing a game of basketball, I was right back in the gym after 2-3 days of rest. Today, I find that I’m out for 2-3 weeks before my ankles feel strong enough to run again. As we get older, our bodies begin to remind us just how frail and weak we are, until one day it ceases to work altogether.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” John Newton, a former slave trader, penned these words into a hymn titled, “Amazing Grace” back in 1773. He probably never would have guessed that this hymn would be sung by millions of worshippers in so many languages. One biographer of John Newton estimates that this hymn is performed 10 million times annually, reminding the singers of the greatness of God’s grace over the wretchedness of our sins.
Are you a snoozer, or are you the type of person who gets up at the first beep of your alarm? And once you’re finally out of bed, what is your morning routine? Yes, we groom ourselves, brush our teeth, change our clothes, etc., but besides those routines, what are the thoughts that fill your mind each morning? Do you wake up with a sense of gratitude for another new day? Or do you find yourself hoping for the day to pass before it has even begun?
The past two days we’ve been looking at the gifts of prophecy and tongues. We talked about how both are to be desired, but prophecy even more so. Today, we will explore in a little more depth why prophecy is to be desired above tongues. At first glance, it seems fairly obvious why prophecy is to be desired over tongues – prophecy is understood by all who are around, while tongues are understood only by God.
Today’s Bible passage is the same as yesterday’s, but we will focus on the gift of tongues. (If you did not read yesterday’s devotional, I encourage you to do so before reading today’s.)
Early in his prophetic career, Isaiah had a powerful encounter with God. He says this: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew” (Isaiah 6:1-2). Basically, Isaiah saw what was going on in heaven.
For example, sometimes while driving down the highway, someone will speed by me or cut me off or drive in a way that bothers me, so I’ll think, “I hope they get pulled over.” I am rejoicing at the potential for their downfall. And then, let’s imagine that I see those blue lights appear and pull that car over – it would be pure glee.