Daily Scripture: Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Yerushalayim. I don’t know what will happen to me there, 23 other than that in every city the Ruach HaKodesh keeps warning me that imprisonment and persecution await me. 24 But I consider my own life of no importance to me whatsoever, as long as I can finish the course ahead of me, the task I received from the Lord Yeshua — to declare in depth the Good News of God’s love and kindness.
25 “Now, listen! I know that none of you people among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I testify on this day that I am innocent of the blood of all. 27 For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole plan of God.
28 “Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Ruach HaKodesh has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God’s Messianic community, which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son’s blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won’t spare the flock. 30 Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the talmidim after themselves. 31 So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!
32 “And now I entrust you to the care of the Lord and to the message of his love and kindness, for it can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been set apart for God.
33 “I have not wanted for myself anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have provided not only for my own needs, but for the needs of my co-workers as well. 35 In everything I have given you an example of how, by working hard like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua himself, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”
Reflection Questions:Acts recorded the Apostle Paul’s final, emotional talk to church leaders in Ephesus. His words show in clear (and challenging) ways how he defined “success,” and was planning for his “retirement.” He quoted Jesus in verse 35—the only direct quote from Jesus that is not in the four gospels. Paul’s “retirement plan” envisioned serving others, and spending the time when his earthly work was done in God’s kingdom, not here.
- Paul was going to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of funds he’d collected from Gentile Christians for Jewish Christians facing hardships. Think of a time when you gave something with an open heart (e.g. money, your time, a caring ear to someone hurting, etc.). Then recall a time when you bought an item you really wanted for yourself. Compare the two experiences. How lasting was the joy and well-being in each case?
- As he left this group of church leaders, Paul said, “I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need” (verse 32, The Message). In what ways has your perspective on your “needs” and “wants” changed since you’ve opened your life to Jesus? List for yourself some examples of how what you value has shifted over time.
Lord Jesus, your servant Paul knew that life is not about “silver, gold, or clothing” nearly as much as it’s about “helping the weak.” Infuse my life with that same wisdom and understanding. Amen.
----------------------Insights from Dr. Amy Oden
Dr. Amy Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality at Saint Paul School of Theology at OCU. Teaching is her calling, and she looks forward to every day with students. For 25 years, Amy has taught theology and history, pursuing scholarship in service of the church.
How will it look from the end? In this “retirement plan,” Paul is looking from the end of his life.
As I think about the stewardship of my money, my time, my energy, it’s often helpful for me to ask myself that question: How will this decision look from the end of my life? It can be a very clarifying exercise. From that vantage point, I can often see my values and commitments more clearly. I can see what really matters. I can see the person I want to have been.
Think about it this way–very few folks stand at the end of their lives looking back and say:
“I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” Or ““I wish I had bought more stuff.” Or “I wish I had been more of a consumer.” Or “I wish I’d spent more time worrying.”
Instead, we will more likely say, “I wish I had been more generous.” Or “I wish I had slowed down a bit so I could give more of myself to others.” Or maybe, “I’m so grateful for all the blessings in my life, and the way they overflowed to others.”
How will it look from the end? It’s just my imagination at work. But I like to think the Holy Spirit uses my imagination to guide me now.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
How will it look from the end? In this “retirement plan,” Paul is looking from the end of his life.
As I think about the stewardship of my money, my time, my energy, it’s often helpful for me to ask myself that question: How will this decision look from the end of my life? It can be a very clarifying exercise. From that vantage point, I can often see my values and commitments more clearly. I can see what really matters. I can see the person I want to have been.
Think about it this way–very few folks stand at the end of their lives looking back and say:
“I wish I’d spent more time at the office.” Or ““I wish I had bought more stuff.” Or “I wish I had been more of a consumer.” Or “I wish I’d spent more time worrying.”
Instead, we will more likely say, “I wish I had been more generous.” Or “I wish I had slowed down a bit so I could give more of myself to others.” Or maybe, “I’m so grateful for all the blessings in my life, and the way they overflowed to others.”
How will it look from the end? It’s just my imagination at work. But I like to think the Holy Spirit uses my imagination to guide me now.
----------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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