The Parable of the Silver Spoon

The Parable of the Silver Spoon

I remember hearing the expression as a child, "He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth." This expression was first printed in English as far back as the 1700's. I also read recently that in the 1700's carrying a silver spoon in your pocket was as common as carrying your keys or wallet. When this expression was first used it was often to indicate that someone was born into a family of financial blessing. It is true that some people are born into a family of financial blessing but many of us "baby boomers" were blessed just to have a spoon, much less a silver spoon.

However, my parents taught me a very valuable life lesson about financial blessings and God's providential provision. It is found in Malachi 3:10, 11 NKJV.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this, Says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground."

One of my mentors use to say, "It is not about the money, it is about the obedience to God's Word." While you may or may not agree with this life principle, it works for me. I have seen God's divine provision for me personally and for the ministry. Time and time again financial blessings have occurred. I may not have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was spoon-fed God's Word from an early age abut the importance of tithing and giving.

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV).

Besides, I have never seen anyone die with a "silver spoon" in their mouth but I have seen folks passed from this life into eternity with "treasure in heaven." So for now, I am not carrying around a silver spoon in my pocket. But if you could look behind my shirt pocket you would find that I am carrying God's Word in my heart, and I am very thankful for this life principle of giving that I have been taught. 

What a blessing it is to give! I encourage you to give it a try if you are not already in the habit of giving.

Blessings,

Tim Lamb

The Faithfulness of a Mother

As a child growing up in the southern part of the United States it was tradition on Mother's Day to go to church with a red rose pinned to my shirt. My dad would also often wear a white carnation on Mother's Day. I soon learned that if you wore a red carnation (or rose), it was to honor your mom but if you wore a white carnation it was to remember your mom that had passed away.

This tradition dates back to 1868 when Anna Jarvis attempted to reunite families that had been separated, due to the Civil War in the States. Mrs. Jarvis's favorite flower was said to be a carnation. May 10, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May the first National Mother's Day.

This weekend we honor all moms! We rise up and call them blessed!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband shall also praise her" (Proverbs 31:28).

One of the stories in the Bible of a faithful mom is found in 2 Samuel 21. She became one of King Saul's concubines.

This is a mom that...

• lived in the king's palace
• was most likely very attractive
• and captured the heart of King Saul 

To find herself later. trying to protect the dead bodies of her sons that were hanging on a hill...

• sleeping not in a palace, but outside with sackcloth spread on a rock 
• no longer attractive but weather-beaten from the sun during the day and the coldness at night
• fighting away the vultures during the day and the animals at night from the dead bodies of her children 

Rizpah's heart must have been ripped apart as she laid day and night seeing the bodies of her sons deteriorating from the sun. When David sent for the bodies to be brought to him and were buried, this must have given Rizpah a sense of relief. But she was faithful to her children no matter the circumstances of life.

A mom will find herself with many different duties and difficult situations in life. To all of the moms, thank you for your faithfulness. Sometimes you are misunderstood but thank you for being the caring, compassionate, mom that you are.

Thank you for your faithfulness!

 This weekend I honor my mom! Thank you for being the godly mom you are and for loving us. Thank you for taking us to church and teaching us God's Word and also of the many sacrifices you made for us.

I also give thanks for my wife that is a great mom to our children. Thank you for being a "second mom" to many children both at church and at work (Pre-K).

A special thanks to the many "second moms" in my and Carissa's life as well. Thank you for being influential in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day!

LONGEVITY

Years ago I decided I needed a new place of employment. I filled out the application, interviewed for the job, was hired, and given a starting date for my new place of employment. The problem is I was told as a child, "One bird in the hand is better than two in the bush." This quote originated in the 13th Century but the concept goes back further. In  the Bible in Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT we read, 

"Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind".

I was convinced as a child that changing places of employment often might not always be of my best interest. So I wanted to make sure the two birds (new employment) was better than the bird in the hand (my current job). I scheduled a week's vacation from my current job to "try out" my new job. After a week on the new job, I gave a two-week notice to my current employer. When I offered my resignation he offered greater benefits. I quit my new job, after one week of employment and returned to my original job.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a good decision for me, but I don't recommend this for you. Your current employer may show you the door in place of new benefits.

This devotional is about "Longevity". Longevity does not work in every circumstance but it has worked well for me. My marriage of 38 years, being in ministry for 38 years, and being a follower of Christ for 48 years has served me well. There are other things that were "short-lived". We have to know when to "hold on" and when and what to "let go." However, some things and people deserve to be a part of your life long-term.

Here are 5 lessons, among many, that I have learned about longevity:

1. The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence but if it does not belong to you, leave it alone.
2. Sometimes opportunities look good from a distance, but close up you can see all of the flaws.
3. Longevity build trust and strong relationships. Longevity will give you credibility.
4. Long time investments in people, stocks, and bonds can reap greater benefits.
5. Long term commitment in relation to our health is healthy.

I am sure there are other lessons you have learned about longevity. Can you name a few? 

There are times that change is necessary, or unavoidable, but you may want to consider what you have in your hand before reaching for the stars. Longevity in certain areas of all of our lives is essential for success.

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up" (Galatians 6:9 NLT).

 Blessings,

Tim Lamb