Wisdom In All Things

“The love of money is the root of all evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

Probably a familiar verse, but think about the last 4 words: “root of all evil.”

If we don’t love money, we can avoid a whole lot of bad.

In fact, we could swap out the word ‘money’ for so many things in that verse.

“The love of… the couch, Netflix, Peanut Butter M&Ms….”

But here, God intentionally–and specifically–identifies the love of money as “the” root problem.

I’ve rounded up recommendations on mastering money into a checklist that you can review to see where you might be allowing money to master you.

Read the transcript for Mastering Money Before it Masters You

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“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” - Benjamin Franklin

Are you as struck by Franklin's recommendation as I am?

Why both?

If you're going to include Jesus on any list, there really isn't any need to include anyone else.

It was curious to me what Franklin might have been thinking that would lead him to include these two people specifically, and only these two people. Perhaps it was this prompting from a personal friend of Franklin's:

"My list of virtues continued at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud, that my pride showed itself frequently in conversation, that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing and rather insolent, of which he convinced me by mentioning several instances, I determined endeavoring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word."

Humility is "a modest or low view of one's own importance." It may well be that you are important, or the best, but humility moderates a balanced view of how you should view yourself. God opposes the proud just as all others are repulsed by them.

Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Humility

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"Holiness is not only separation from evil, but separation unto God." - John Stott

Holiness has long been a central theme in Christianity, and throughout history, various individuals and groups have emphasized its importance.

It is a concept that often evokes various perceptions, from being old-fashioned and rigid to grace-filled and deeply satisfying.  Either way, the pursuit of holiness is, at its core, an endeavor to mirror God's character in our lives.

Read the transcript for The Pursuit of Holiness: Building Holy Habits

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"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley

In a world often marred by turmoil and adversity, the call to "not grow weary in doing good" holds profound significance, primarily for Christians.

While the call to "not grow weary in doing good" is firmly rooted in Scripture, we need to effectively navigate the challenges and temptations that often lead to weariness in our pursuit of doing good. Here are five keys to helping us persevere in doing good.

Read the transcript for Persevere in Doing Good

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"Heaven is not a distant place, but a perfected state of being where we will enjoy unbroken communion with God and one another." — Tim Keller

Thinking rightly about heaven is both significant and transformative as it will shape our thoughts, actions, and deepest longings.

Embracing an anticipatory mindset about heaven moves us away from it being a theoretical concept to a transformative way of living. Here are ways "heaven then" can transform our lives "here and now."

Read the transcript of The Beauty, Significance, and Transformative Power of Heaven

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"In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double... don't worry, be happy..." - Bobby McFerrin

He has provided us a catchy way to remember two very important truths about worry: by worrying, we do make things doubly worse, and, that we do have a choice.

If you're looking to be happy, you're aiming way too low.

Instead, why settle for "being happy" when you can be at peace?

Read the transcript of Don't Worry, Be... at peace

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"When we use our spiritual gifts, we are joining in God's mission to reconcile the world to Himself. It is an act of obedience and surrender, allowing God to work through us to bring about His purposes and transformation in the lives of others." - D.A. Carson

The idea of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we should, and will be, held responsible for what we have been given. It is reasonable to expect that we glorify God and benefit others having been blessed with our time, talents, and treasures.

Read the transcript for Spiritual gifts: unleashing the power within

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I think we all would agree that when expressing our anger, it is better that we stop short of turning green and smashing everything. Even if we have the power to do it.

But you might say, "There are times when we need to smash things into oblivion... like, evil."

However, it seems pretty clear that God is the only one that gets to turn green and smash things (so to speak):

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:19

For this simple reason: if it needs doing, God knows why, when, and how to do it.

Read the transcript for How to Handle Anger with Wisdom and Grace

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I want to make sure you are properly warned against enduring the consequences of a lop-sided morning. Because a lop-sided morning leads to a lop-sided day.

By lop-sided, I mean focusing only on one area of your life to the exclusion of others. My sense is that there is a tendency to elevate exercise over the time you need to spend thinking, or more importantly, feeding your soul. Mornings should be an "all of the above" proposition so that you benefit from nurturing your mind, body, and soul.

Read the transcript for Creating a Meaty, Meaningful Morning

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There's no denying that "A Few Good Men" is a classic.

In this movie, you have a young military lawyer, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, played by Tom Cruise, assigned to defend two marines accused of murdering a fellow soldier. 

With Colonel Nathan Jessup on the stand, Kaffee confronts the commanding officer of the Marines by accusing him of ordering a "code red" (an unauthorized disciplinary action) that led to the soldier's death. Jessup initially denies any involvement, but Kaffee continues to press him, demanding the truth.

Ultimately, Kaffee's rebuke leads Jessup to admit to the truth. He sought justice and open rebuke led him there.

Which, is the goal by the way. Rebuke is the means, not the end.

Read the transcript for Better is Open Rebuke

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