Margarita & Stace Crews – Page 135

September 10, 2026

THANKED HIM / LUKE 17:16

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 17:16

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

The Power of a Grateful Heart: Lessons from Luke 17:16

In the routine of our daily lives, it is easy to get caught up in asking God for what we need while forgetting to thank Him for what He has already done. We often approach Him with a list of requests, but how often do we approach Him simply to offer our praise?

The Gospel of Luke presents a powerful story that challenges our heart posture toward God. In Luke 17, ten lepers cry out to Jesus from a distance, desperate for healing. Moved by compassion, Jesus instructs them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they obey and walk away, a miracle happens: they are completely cleansed of their disease.

Yet, what happens next reveals a profound truth about human nature. Out of the ten who were healed, only one turned back. Luke 17:16 tells us that this man fell down on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks—and he was a Samaritan.

Choosing to Turn Back

All ten men received the physical miracle of healing, but only one returned to acknowledge the Source. The Samaritan man didn’t just celebrate his newfound freedom; he prioritized the Giver over the gift. He was so overwhelmed by gratitude that he threw himself at the feet of Jesus in public worship.

Having received God’s love, grace, salvation, and all His spiritual benefits, we must never forget to thank Him. What He has done for us should cause us continually to approach Him with grateful hearts. The Samaritan’s response reminds us that true faith is always marked by gratitude. When we realize the depth of what we have been saved from, thankfulness becomes our natural response.

Living a Life of Continuous Praise

Gratitude is more than a polite gesture; it is an act of spiritual alignment. It shifts our eyes away from our problems and fixes them securely on the goodness of God. Scripture reminds us in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” In the same way, we give thanks because He first poured out His grace upon us.

When we develop a habit of turning back to thank Him, we find that our perspective changes. We stop taking His daily mercies for granted. The breath in our lungs, the peace in our hearts, and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ are all overwhelming reasons to live in a state of constant thanksgiving. Let us not be like the nine who walked away to enjoy their blessings without a word to the One who gave them. Instead, let us choose the path of the one who returned to fall at His feet.

A Closing Prayer for a Thankful Heart

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the endless blessings, love, and grace You pour into our lives every single day. Forgive us for the times we take Your goodness for granted, or when we are quick to ask for help but slow to offer our praise.

We thank You for the ultimate gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the spiritual benefits that sustain us. Help us to cultivate a heart like the Samaritan leper—a heart that pauses, turns back, and falls at Your feet in profound gratitude. May our lives be a continuous offering of thanks to You, reflecting the love You first showed us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

FAITH / LUKE 17:6

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 17:6

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

The Power of the Smallest Seed: Understanding Faith in Luke 17:6

We often fall into the trap of thinking that we need massive, unshakeable, mountain-moving confidence before God can use us or answer our prayers. We look at our doubts, our anxieties, and our fragile moments, and we assume our faith is simply too small to make a difference.

In the Gospel of Luke, the apostles felt exactly the same way. Looking at the immense calling before them—specifically the difficult standard of radical, repeated forgiveness that Jesus had just commanded—they cried out, “Increase our faith!”

Jesus’ response in Luke 17:6 flips our understanding of spiritual strength completely upside down: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

It’s Not the Size of Your Faith, But the Size of Your God

Jesus does not answer the disciples by giving them a multi-step program to build giant faith. Instead, He redirects their attention to the mustard seed—one of the smallest seeds known to the ancient world.

The brilliance of this metaphor is that a mustard seed does not rely on its own mass to grow or accomplish something great. Its power lies entirely in its nature and the ground it is planted in. When Jesus speaks of a faith the size of a mustard seed uprooting a deeply entrenched mulberry tree, He is teaching us that the effectiveness of our faith does not depend on the quantity of our confidence, but on the object of our trust.

A tiny amount of genuine faith placed in an infinite, all-powerful God can accomplish what is humanly impossible. When we stop staring at the smallness of our own belief and start staring at the greatness of our God, everything changes.

Moving from Intellect to Action

Luke’s Gospel consistently reminds us that true faith is not just an intellectual concept or a vague feeling; it is active. Having mustard-seed faith means taking that tiny spark of trust and choosing to step out in obedience anyway.

It means that even when your heart feels heavy and your certainty feels small, you still choose to pray. You still choose to forgive. You still choose to step into the calling God has placed before you, trusting that His grace is entirely sufficient to fill the gaps. You don’t need a mountain of faith to move a mountain; you just need a tiny seed of faith in a Mountain-Moving God.

A Closing Prayer for Faith

Heavenly Father,

We come to You today acknowledging that there are moments when our confidence falters and our spirits feel overwhelmed by the challenges before us. Forgive us for the times we have looked at our own limitations instead of Your limitless power.

We thank You for the grace found in Luke 17:6. Thank You for reminding us that You do not require us to be perfect or entirely free of doubt before You can work through us. Today, we bring You whatever faith we have—even if it feels as small and fragile as a mustard seed.

We plant our small trust firmly in Your character, Your promises, and Your unchanging faithfulness. Uproot the bitterness, fear, and hesitation from our hearts, and cast them away. Give us the courage to take faithful steps of obedience today, knowing that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

IF HE REPENTS FORGIVE / LUKE 17:3

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 17:3

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

The Heart of Forgiveness: Understanding Luke 17:3

Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful aspects of the Christian faith, yet it is often one of the most misunderstood. In Luke 17:3, Jesus delivers a direct and powerful instruction: “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”

At first glance, this command seems straightforward. But when we dig deeper into the heart of Christ, we see a profound balance between a radical willingness to extend grace and a healthy, godly boundary for our relationships.

1. The Heart Condition: Choosing Grace Over Revenge

First and foremost, Jesus is deeply concerned with the state of our own hearts. He desires for us to maintain an attitude that actively wants to forgive and help those who offend us, rather than harboring an attitude of revenge, bitterness, or hatred.

When we hold onto a grudge, we give resentment a foothold in our lives. Our willingness to forgive reflects the immense grace we have already received from God. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:14-15, our ability to walk in freedom is tied to our willingness to let go of bitterness.

2. Reconciliation Requires Repentance

While we should always hold a heart ready to forgive, true reconciliation—the end result of a fully restored relationship—cannot happen in a vacuum. It requires a two-way street.

A relationship cannot be genuinely restored until the offending person acknowledges their wrong actions and sincerely repents. Sincere repentance is more than just saying “sorry” to escape consequences; it expresses true sorrow and demonstrates a complete change in behavior. We can offer a heart of forgiveness immediately, but rebuilding a broken bridge requires the other person to walk across it with a repentant heart.

3. Forgiveness is Not Foolishness

It is crucial to understand what Jesus is not saying in this passage. When Christ speaks later about forgiving someone “seven times in a day,” He is not giving His approval to habitual sin or a cycle of continuous offenses. He is certainly not telling us to allow someone to severely mistreat, exploit, or abuse us repeatedly.

Forgiveness does not mean we must foolishly place our trust in someone who continually proves untrustworthy. You can forgive someone from a distance while establishing firm, safe boundaries. God calls us to be loving, but He never asks us to tolerate abuse or abandon spiritual prudence.

Moving Forward in Freedom

Ultimately, Luke 17:3 calls us to a high standard of spiritual maturity. It challenges us to keep our hearts soft, always ready to extend the hand of restoration the moment someone sincerely repents. Let us guard our hearts against hatred, establish boundaries with wisdom, and live out the boundless grace of God.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the radical, unearned forgiveness You have poured into our lives through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask that You search our hearts today. Cleanse us of any lingering bitterness, resentment, or desire for revenge against those who have hurt us. Grant us a spirit that is always ready to heal and quick to extend grace.

We also ask for Your divine wisdom. Help us discern the difference between a truly repentant heart and a toxic cycle. Give us the courage to set healthy boundaries and the peace to forgive even when reconciliation isn’t possible. Keep our hearts soft toward You and toward others, so that our lives may always reflect Your perfect balance of truth, justice, and mercy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

MILLSTONE TIED AROUND HIS NECK / LUKE 17:2

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 17:2

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

The Weight of Our Witness: Understanding the Millstone Warning in Luke 17:2

We live in a world that fiercely champions personal freedom. “Live your truth,” “You do you,” and “As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else” are the taglines of modern culture. But as followers of Christ, our actions are never purely individual. We belong to a body, and our choices carry a ripple effect.

In Luke 17:2, Jesus delivers one of the most jarring, sober warnings in the entire New Testament:

“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble“.

To understand the weight of this statement, we have to understand what a millstone actually was. In ancient times, a millstone was a massive, thick stone disk used for grinding grain. The specific kind Jesus refers to here wasn’t a small rock you could lift by hand; it was the heavy, industrial stone—often weighing hundreds of pounds—that required a donkey or ox just to turn it.

Jesus is using vivid, hyperbolic imagery to make a profound point: Physical death by drowning, as terrifying as it is, is preferable to facing God’s judgment for leading someone else into sin.

Defying God vs. Leading Others Astray

Choosing to defy God for ourselves brings its own heavy consequences. However, Jesus emphasizes that it is an entirely different level of offense to actively influence, compromise, or cause someone else to stumble.

When Jesus refers to “little ones,” He isn’t just talking about physical children. He is speaking about new believers, the weak, the humble, and those who are easily influenced [0.6.8]. These are the vulnerable members of God’s flock who look to more mature Christians for guidance and example.

We can cause others to stumble in a variety of ways:

Our Example: Engaging in behaviors or compromises that give others permission to violate their own consciences.
Our Attitude: Displaying pride, arrogance, unrepentant gossip, or a judgmental spirit that drives people away from the church or weakens their faith.
Our Neglect: Failing to teach truth, protect the vulnerable, or stand up for God’s standards, leaving others open to deception.

The Call to “Watch Yourselves”

Immediately following the millstone warning, Jesus says two critical words: “So watch yourselves” (Luke 17:3).

This is a call to deep, daily self-examination. We must constantly evaluate the footprint of our lives. Are we building up the faith of those around us, or are we chipping away at it? Are our lives a bridge to Christ, or are we a stumbling block?

As serious as this text is, it should drive us to our knees in humility, relying on the Holy Spirit to guard our steps, our speech, and our influence. Let us pray for a heart that fiercely protects the spiritual well-being of others.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and sober hearts today. Your Word reminds us of the profound responsibility we carry as witnesses of Your truth. Forgive us for the times our attitudes, our compromises, or our careless words have caused someone else to stumble or doubt Your goodness.

We pray specifically for the “little ones” in our lives—for the children, the new believers, and the vulnerable who are watching how we live. Protect them from any harm that our bad examples might cause. Cleanse our hearts of pride and hidden sins. Give us the grace to live lives of radical integrity, holiness, and love, so that we may always point others directly to You.

Holy Spirit, guide our steps and watch over our lips. Let our witness build up Your church rather than tear it down. We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS / LUKE 16:19-31

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:19-31

The Choice of Eternity: Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus shares a profound and sobering narrative that pulls back the curtain on eternity: the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. On the surface, it is a story of stark contrasts in earthly circumstances. One man lives in absolute luxury, consumed by a life of self-centered indulgence, while the other sits at his gate, covered in sores, longing for crumbs.

However, as the narrative shifts from this life to the next, Jesus reveals a deeper reality. True wealth and poverty are not measured by an earthly bank account, but by the condition of the heart before God.

The Heart and the Name

The rich man remains nameless in the text, perhaps symbolizing how his identity was entirely wrapped up in his temporary, earthly possessions. He lived a life focused inward, blind to the suffering right outside his door. Lazarus, on the other hand, bears a name that means “God is my help.” Despite a lifetime of poverty, neglect, and physical suffering, Lazarus held fast to his faith. He did not let his outer circumstances dictate his inner devotion to the Creator.

When death claimed both men, their realities completely inverted. Lazarus was carried by angels to “Abraham’s side,” a place of spiritual rest, comfort, and delight in the presence of God. The rich man woke up in torment, separated from the peace of God.

A Permanent Separation

This passage gives us a glimpse into the intermediate state of the dead, using the Greek word hades to describe the place of restraint and torment for the wicked dead as they await final judgment. While theologians discuss the literal proximity of these realms, Jesus’ primary focus remains clear: death seals our choices.

The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus with just a drop of water to cool his tongue, but he was told that a great chasm had been fixed. The destinies of both men became completely irreversible the moment they drew their last breath. There is no second chance to rewrite our relationship with God once we pass from this life.

Living with Eternity in Mind

The urgency of this story is not just about what happens after we die, but about how we live today. The rich man’s sin was not simply that he had wealth, but that his wealth had him. It blinded him to God and closed his heart to his neighbor.

Lazarus teaches us that no matter how difficult our earthly path may be, relying on God as our help ensures a legacy that lasts forever. We are challenged to evaluate where we are placing our security. Are we building temporary kingdoms on earth, or are we investing in a right relationship with God that secures our citizenship in paradise?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, creator and sustainer of our souls, we come before You humbled by the truth of Your Word. We thank You for the reminder that our lives are a vapor and that eternity is real. Lord, keep our hearts from the trap of self-centered living. Forgive us for the times we have been blind to the needs of those around us and independent of Your grace.

We pray that, like Lazarus, we would truly know You as our help. Grant us a steadfast faith that endures through seasons of lack, suffering, or trial. Help us to guard our hearts against the distractions of temporary wealth, and teach us to use whatever resources You have given us to love You and serve others.

Remind us daily of the reality of eternity so that we may live with urgency, purpose, and a deep desire to remain in a right relationship with You. We place our future, our lives, and our eternity into Your faithful hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

COMMITS ADULTERY / LUKE 16:18

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:18

Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Grace, Law, and Restoration: Understanding Jesus’ Words on Marriage in Luke 16:18

Scripture often comforts us, but there are moments when it challenges us to our very core. In Luke 16:18, Jesus delivers a hard hitting truth about the sanctity of marriage: “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

To understand why Jesus spoke so sharply, we have to look at the immediate context. In the preceding verse, Jesus affirms the permanent, continuing authority of God’s law (Luke 16:17). He was addressing a culture that had begun to treat marriage casually, using legal loopholes to justify abandoning their partners. Jesus draws a firm line, reminding his listeners that adultery—sexual relations with anyone other than one’s own covenant spouse—is still unlawful, sinful, and deeply damaging to the soul and the community.

Going Deeper into the Original Language

This specific teaching takes things even deeper when we look at the original Greek text. The phrase “commits adultery” is written in the present active indicative form, which denotes a continuing action.

Theological scholars often note that as long as the initial covenant is broken without biblical justification (such as the grounds outlined in Matthew 19:9) and the “innocent” spouse desires and seeks reconciliation, the offending party who enters a new marriage relationship is actively walking in a state of unfaithfulness. God takes the covenants we make before Him with the utmost seriousness.

The Path to Grace, Repentance, and Legitimacy

If you are reading this and feeling the heavy weight of past choices, broken relationships, or a complicated marital history, it is vital to look at the full counsel of God’s Word. Our God is a God of justice, but He is equally the God of redemption and a second chance.

What happens when a past marriage cannot be restored? Scripture and pastoral wisdom show us a clear path forward. If the offending party faces a situation where:

There is no physical or practical possibility of returning to the first marriage,
They have already entered into a secondary marriage relationship,
They sincerely repent to God for past failures and make a genuine, heartfelt commitment to build their present relationship on godly principles,

…then the present marriage relationship can be redeemed. Through true repentance, the current marriage can become legitimate and fully accepted by God. He is entirely capable of taking what was broken, washing it clean through the blood of Christ, and establishing a firm, godly foundation for the future.

A Closing Prayer for Healing and Restoration

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today acknowledging the absolute holiness of your laws and the beautiful design you intended for marriage. Your Word is a lamp to our feet, grounding us in truth even when it convicts our hearts.

Lord, we pray for marriages today. Strengthen the covenants that are currently being tested. Grant couples the endurance, humility, and love required to seek reconciliation, forgive deeply, and honor the vows they made before you.

We also lift up those who carry the heavy pain of broken relationships, divorce, and past mistakes. For anyone feeling condemned or stuck in the wreckage of the past, we pray for the comforting presence of your Holy Spirit. Teach us what true, sincere repentance looks like. We thank you that your grace is greater than our past failures.

For the couples working to build or rebuild their families on your principles today, establish the work of their hands. Let their present relationships be filled with loyalty, purity, and a shared devotion to your Word. Wash away the old, and breathe new life into their homes.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

PHARISEES … LOVED MONEY / LUKE 16:14

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:14

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Beyond the Ledger: What the Pharisees Got Wrong About Wealth and Worth

We live in a world that loves to keep score. From the cars we drive to the numbers in our bank accounts, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of measuring a person’s worth—and even their standing with God—by their material success.

But this mindset isn’t new. In fact, it was the dominant worldview of some of the most religious elites in Jesus’ day.

In Luke 16:14, we get a sobering look behind the curtain of the religious establishment:

“The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.”

The Illusion of the Prosperity Equation

The Pharisees had a deeply flawed theological equation: More Wealth = More of God’s Favor.

They genuinely believed that riches were the ultimate proof of their righteous adherence to the Law. In their minds, if you were wealthy, you were being rewarded by God for your obedience. Conversely, if you were poor, you must be doing something wrong.

But as Jesus pointed out time and time again, they missed the entire heart of the Law. They were meticulously tithing their herbs while completely stepping over justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Their wealth wasn’t a sign of God’s blessing on their holiness; it was simply a reflection of a system they had manipulated for their own gain.

Why They Sneered at the Savior

When Jesus came on the scene, He completely flipped their world upside down. He didn’t have a palace. He didn’t wear robes woven with gold. He didn’t accumulate land or earthly power.

Because Jesus lacked earthly riches and didn’t preach a message of material wealth, the Pharisees “sneered” at Him. The Greek word used here implies turning up one’s nose in open derision. They looked at the Lord of the Universe and dismissed Him because He didn’t look like their version of success. They assumed that if God had truly honored Jesus, He would be rich.

They couldn’t see that the ultimate Treasure was standing right in front of them because their eyes were blinded by the glitter of gold.

Checking Our Own Hearts

It is easy to point fingers at the Pharisees, but we must ask ourselves: Where do we look for our validation?

Do we subtly believe that a comfortable life means God is happy with us, or that a season of financial hardship means He is punishing us? Do we value people more when they have financial influence, while overlooking the quiet, radical faithfulness of those who have very little?

Jesus warns us just a verse later in Luke 16:15 that “What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” God doesn’t look at our financial ledgers; He looks at the currency of our hearts. True wealth in the Kingdom of God is found in humility, generosity, love, and a desperate dependence on Jesus.

Let’s lay down the exhausting pursuit of keeping up appearances and start chasing the things that truly matter to the Father.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for the times we have allowed the world’s standard of success to creep into our faith. Forgive us for loving money, comfort, and status more than we love You and our neighbors. Cleanse our hearts from any spirit of legalism or judgment that measures a person’s worth by what they own.

Lord, open our eyes to see wealth the way You do. Help us to remember that Jesus, though He was rich, became poor for our sake, so that through His poverty we might become truly rich. Teach us to find our identity, our security, and our satisfaction in You alone. Give us generous hands and humble hearts to serve You faithfully.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MONEY / LUKE 16:13

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The Dangerous Trap of Divided Loyalty: Understanding Luke 16:13

“No servant can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” — Luke 16:13

It is one of the most straightforward, unapologetic statements Jesus ever made. He didn’t say it is difficult to serve both; He said it is impossible.

The Subtlety of the Trap

Ironically, the more we have, the easier it is to become a slave to the wealth and responsibilities we have accumulated. We often start out viewing money as a tool, but without a watchful heart, it quietly shifts into becoming a master. The world’s riches make it incredibly difficult to keep God at the very center of our lives.

Wealth is a deceptive master because it promises what only God can provide:

Security for the future
Peace of mind
Identity and worth
Control over our circumstances

When we rely on our bank accounts or material possessions to give us these things, our loyalty fractures. We begin making choices based on protecting or growing our assets rather than obeying God’s calling.

Owned by What We Own

Scripture does not teach that having resources is inherently wrong—but being owned by what you have is spiritual poison.

When our focus shifts to hoarding instead of stewarding, or when anxiety over losing what we have replaces trust in the Father, we have crossed into serving mammon. True Kingdom wealth is never measured by a financial balance sheet; it is measured by our capacity for generosity and our willingness to hold earthly things with an open hand.

Shifting Our Allegiance

To break the hold that money can have over us, we have to intentionally re-evaluate where our true priorities lie. This means looking at our wealth—whether much or little—not as our source of life, but as a tool to serve others and build God’s Kingdom.

Are you using your money to serve God, or are you using your relationship with God to try and get more money? Today, let’s make the conscious choice to dethrone wealth and place our complete devotion back where it belongs.

A Closing Prayer for an Undivided Heart

Heavenly Father,

We come before You acknowledging how easily our hearts can be pulled away by the glitz and false security of this world. Forgive us for the times we have allowed material anxieties or the pursuit of wealth to dictate our choices, our peace, and our loyalty.

Lord, we do not want to be slaves to what we accumulate. Break the power of materialism in our lives. Help us to remember that You are the sole source of every blessing we hold. We surrender our finances, our responsibilities, and our resources to Your will.

Teach us to live with open hands. Give us a spirit of radical generosity, and let our lives show that You alone are our Master. Keep our hearts undivided and fully devoted to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
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September 10, 2026

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRUSTWORTHY / LUKE 16:11

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:11

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

The Danger of the Divided Heart: Choosing Master Over Money

We live in a culture that measures success by accumulation. We are told to strive for more—more wealth, more possessions, more responsibilities, and more influence. But a profound paradox lies hidden within this pursuit: the more we accumulate, the easier it is to become a slave to the very things we own.

In Luke 16:11, Jesus delivers a penetrating truth about stewardship and the human heart:

“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Shortly after, He underscores the ultimate ultimatum: “You cannot serve both God and money”. Jesus does not say we should not; He says we cannot. It is a spiritual impossibility to give absolute devotion to two competing masters.

The Irony of Accumulation

Worldly riches demand a steep maintenance fee. They require our time, our energy, and our anxiety. When our wealth grows, our responsibilities expand, and our focus subtly shifts from trusting God to protecting our assets.

Without realizing it, the money we think we own begins to own us. The world’s riches create a deceptive noise that makes it incredibly difficult to keep God at the absolute center of our lives. Money promises security, but it delivers slavery. It promises freedom, but it creates a golden cage of worry, pride, and greed.

Tool vs. Treasure

Money itself is not inherently evil; it is a neutral medium. The issue is never the math; it is always the condition of our heart.

Wealth must be viewed as a temporary tool, not an eternal treasure.

When money is your master, you hold it with a clenched fist. You hoard it out of fear, and you use people to gain more of it.
When God is your Master, you hold money with an open hand. You use it to bless others, support His kingdom, and live out His purpose.

Our handling of temporary, earthly wealth is the testing ground for eternity. If we cannot be faithful stewards of the fading resources of this world, how can we be trusted with the true, spiritual riches of heaven?

Shifting the Center

To break the grip of materialism, we have to intentionally dethrone money every single day. We do this through radical gratitude, consistent and planned generosity, and a daily surrender of our security into the hands of the Father.

When we seek first His kingdom, the anxiety of accumulation melts away, and we find the true wealth that no bank account can ever hold.

A Closing Prayer for a Devoted Heart

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the resources, blessings, and provisions You have trusted into my care. Forgive me for the times I have allowed the worries of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth to crowd out Your presence in my heart. Forgive me for trusting in uncertain riches rather than the living God.

Lord, break every chain of greed, materialism, and financial anxiety trying to wrap around my heart. Teach me to live with open hands, holding loosely to the things of this earth and clinging tightly to You. Grant me the wisdom to be a faithful, trustworthy steward of worldly wealth so that my life may reflect Your generosity and honor Your kingdom. Keep my heart undivided, Lord, and be the sole Master of my life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 10, 2026

WORLDLY WEALTH / LUKE 16:9

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Luke 16:9

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Redefining Wealth: How to Use Worldly Resources for Eternal Impact

We live in a world driven by accumulation. Success is routinely measured by the size of a bank account, the prestige of a zip code, or the accumulation of modern comforts. Yet, the pursuit of “worldly wealth” is often entangled with injustice, greed, and an insatiable appetite for power. As believers, we are called to a completely different economy—one where resources are not hoarded for personal security, but deployed for the Kingdom of God.

In Luke 16:9, Jesus delivers a striking and profoundly practical command: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”

Moving from Ownership to Stewardship

At first glance, Jesus’ words can sound unusual. Is He telling us to buy friendship? Not at all. He is challenging us to shift our mindset from ownership to stewardship. Everything we possess—our money, our time, our talents, and any material assets—belongs fundamentally to God.

When Jesus speaks of using unrighteous or worldly wealth to “gain friends,” He is instructing us to use our temporal resources to truly help those in need. When we feed the hungry, support local missions, and use our financial lives to reflect God’s heart, we open doors to share the life-transforming message of the Gospel.

Investing in the Only Currency That Lasts

Earthly wealth has a 100% expiration date. Currencies fluctuate, economies shift, and material possessions eventually decay. But when we use our resources to reach others for Christ, those investments yield eternal benefits.

The “friends” we make through our generosity are the people who will be transformed by the love of Jesus. By giving unselfishly, we play a tangible part in their spiritual salvation. Imagine entering heaven one day and being greeted by individuals who look at you and say, “Because you were generous, I heard the Gospel. Because you helped me in my darkest hour, I found Christ—and now I am home.”

Let money stay in your hands as a tool, but never let it take root in your heart. When we prioritize God’s Kingdom, we trade the fleeting security of this world for treasures that can never be stolen or destroyed.

A Closing Prayer for Faithful Stewardship

Heavenly Father,
We acknowledge today that everything we have is a gift from Your hand. Deliver us from the spirit of greed, the love of money, and the false security that worldly wealth promises. Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us, and grant us the wisdom and compassion to manage Your resources well.

Lord, make us channels of Your blessing. Teach us to live with radical generosity, using our temporary possessions to advance Your Kingdom, lift up the brokenhearted, and draw others closer to You. May our lives reflect Your righteousness, and may our investments on earth leave a legacy that echoes into eternity.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace