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Our text today is Hebrews 13: verse 5.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”  

Our verse today urges us to keep our lives free from the love of money. Let’s start by saying there is nothing wrong with money or in asking for a raise, but don’t make money the love of your life. Even with this warning, marriage counselors confirm that finances are one of the main reasons for divorce.

The American dream used to be to own your own home. Sometime in the past decades, that all changed. The American dream now seems to be to win the lottery, to get rich quick!

In America, we live in a land of plenty. Consider this fact: In 84% of the world, the top 1% earns an annual income of between $30,000 and $50,000. In America, a family of four is considered poor if they earn $31,200 a year. Indeed, God has been good to us. We were born into the richest economy and the richest time in the world’s history.

Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Obviously, since you don’t go to church and listen to me preach, I have no motive except to share with you what God said of this important subject.

Over the next ten days, I will share ten Bible teachings on money. 

I’m Lonnie Davis. See you tomorrow with Rule #1

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 103:13-14.  

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.”

We often think we need to be perfect for God to love us, but that is far from the truth. God knows our weaknesses and flaws. He created us, and He is well aware that we are made of dust—fragile, human, and prone to mistakes. Just as a loving father understands the limits of his child, God understands our limits and shows us compassion.

The takeaway today is that we do not need to be perfect for God to love us. God knows we struggle, and His love isn’t based on our perfection but on His great mercy and grace. 

David committed murder and adultery, but God loved him anyway.
Peter denied Jesus, but God loved him anyway.
Moses murdered and Egyptian, but God loved him anyway
Paul persecuted the church, but God loved him anyway.

Obviously this list could be expanded, but this is enough to remind us that God has compassion on us, because he knows that we are dust.

“God’s mercy is bigger than any mistake you’ve made.” Take heart, knowing God’s love reaches us even in our weakest moments.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 101:3.

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”

In this verse, we see David’s deep commitment to protecting his heart by carefully choosing what he allows his eyes to behold. It’s a powerful reminder that what we see and dwell on can take root in our hearts. 

David’s decision to avoid “worthless things” tells us that he understood the power of seemingly small influences. He chose to distance himself from anything that could lead him astray. 

Yet, we sometimes try to see how close we can get to the edge without falling over. We tell ourselves we can look but not touch, admire, or indulge. One writer said, “What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is that they don’t want to discourage it completely.” 

We struggle because, deep down, part of us isn’t ready to let go entirely. 

In 386 AD, Augustine, a Christian teacher said, “Grant me chastity…but not yet.” We too, may keep that harmful influence just within reach, believing we’re strong enough to handle it. But temptation doesn’t announce itself with a trumpet blast; it sneaks in subtly, growing stronger over time until a small compromise becomes a major stumbling block.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 100:5.

“For the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.”

Our faith often focuses on our devotion to God—how we worship, follow, and obey Him. Yet, this verse reminds us that God is also devoted to us, reaching down with endless love and faithfulness. His love isn’t temporary or conditional; it’s a love that extends across time, embracing every generation, including ours.

Augustine once said, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” This quote beautifully captures the personal nature of God’s devotion. God doesn’t see us as a distant crowd; He sees each of us individually and loves us with a tender and constant commitment.

When we reflect on this truth, it should fill us with both awe and gratitude. Knowing that the Creator of the universe is devoted to us gives us security and hope. No matter our struggles or doubts, God’s devotion will never fade or falter. He remains with us, faithfully devoted, through every joy and challenge.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 34:8.

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

In this verse we’re invited to personally experience the kindness and love of God. This verse calls us to “taste and see” – to go beyond hearing about God’s goodness and to experience it for ourselves. 

Just as a meal can only be fully appreciated when we taste it, God’s love and kindness become real to us when we open ourselves to trust and rely on Him.

Faith in God is not just a belief in the unknown. As the quote says, “Faith is not a leap in the dark; it’s a step into the light.” When we take that step toward God, we step into His love, finding refuge in His presence. This act of trust leads us into a life marked by blessings and a deep assurance of His care.

The promise here is simple: if we draw near to God, we will find that He is good. But if we stand at a distance to God and complain about his ways, then we have not tasted him, and so we cannot know that the Lord is good. Get closer to him, taste for yourself. He IS good.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Luke 1:46-49.

Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me.”

Why did God choose Mary, a young girl, to be Jesus’ mother? Out of all the wise and noble women, He chose a humble girl from a small town. Today’s Scripture gives us insight into why Mary was the perfect choice.

First, Mary rejoiced in God. We rejoice in many things—houses, cars, careers, and more. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying blessings, but let your first joy be in the Lord. Above all, Mary’s heart was filled with joy for God, and joy is something God can use.

Second, Mary saw herself as a humble servant. She didn’t see herself as special or deserving. She knew her role as God’s servant and embraced it. To be used by God, we need to set aside pride and see ourselves as vessels ready to serve.

Finally, Mary believed God had great plans for her. She didn’t feel insignificant. She recognized God was doing something extraordinary in her life and embraced it with faith. Mary wasn’t self-centered; she focused on God’s blessings and His purpose for her.

Let’s take Mary’s example to heart. No matter where you are in life—young or old, feeling qualified or not—remember, God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for hearts that rejoice in Him, spirits ready to serve, and faith that believes He can do great things through us. You don’t need to be extraordinary; you just need to be willing. When you are, God will use you in ways beyond anything you can imagine.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Matthew 8:13.  

“Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.”

To accomplish anything, you must first believe. The story of the centurion shows us that belief is not just an idea in our minds but a powerful force that moves mountains. When the centurion came to Jesus, he already believed that Jesus could heal his servant. His faith was so strong that Jesus only needed to say the word, and healing would take place. The centurion’s belief paved the way for a miracle.

Saint Augustine once said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” This captures the heart of Matthew 8:13. Before any change happens, we need to have faith in what we cannot yet see. Faith is the beginning of every significant accomplishment—whether it’s personal growth, helping others, or overcoming life’s challenges. Without that first step of belief, nothing else can follow.

Today, let’s remember that faith is more than just a feeling; it’s a decision to trust in God’s power and promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Matthew 7: verse 21.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”

This verse reminds us that true discipleship is not about words alone. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge God; true discipleship means living in obedience to His will. Jesus warns that many will call Him “Lord” without truly following His ways. Discipleship requires a faithful heart that seeks to align with God’s purpose, making choices that reflect His commands.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Obedience is the key that opens every door.” This means that genuine faith naturally leads to action. Through obedience, we show our love for God, and it’s this commitment that marks us as true followers. Our words of faith are proven by how we live—by doing the will of our Heavenly Father.

God is looking for hearts committed to His purpose, not just voices saying His name. True discipleship means allowing His guidance to shape our lives and living out our faith in all that we do.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 37:1-2.

“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”

In these verses we are reminded not to worry about those who do wrong and seem to succeed. Sometimes it feels unfair when people who do bad things appear to prosper while those who try to do good struggle. But God tells us not to fret or be envious. Their success is like grass that withers—it is only temporary. Our call is to remain patient, to trust in God, and to stay focused on doing what is right.

This takes patience and faith. God sees the bigger picture and knows the right time to make things right. Our job is to keep living righteously, even when it’s hard or seems to go unnoticed. The reward for patience isn’t just peace of mind—it’s knowing that God’s will ultimately prevails.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Exodus 20:4.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

God knows the human heart tends to find security in what it can see and touch. In Exodus 20:4, God warns His people about the danger of idolatry. The truth is, anything that takes God’s rightful place in our lives becomes an idol. We might not shape idols out of gold or wood today, but we can certainly make them in other ways. Our careers, our possessions, even our relationships can become idols when they hold a place in our hearts that belongs only to God.

As the quote says, “The danger of loving something more than God is that it becomes your god.” It’s easy to let our devotion shift from God to things that promise comfort or status. But those things, no matter how valuable, can’t truly fulfill us. God alone deserves our highest love and devotion.

This command is a call to examine our hearts honestly. Are we giving more love, attention, or devotion to anything other than God? If we are, it’s time to put God back in His rightful place in our lives.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.ing.