A Beautiful Thing -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Have you been blessed by one of these "Beautiful Thing" devotionals across these five weeks? Have you been touched by one of the songs or inspired by one of the sermons? How has God challenged you as you've been praying about your involvement in the campaign? You've been reading these daily devotionals -- and now it's YOUR turn! In this week's sermon, Pastor Tom wants to read as many notes as time will allow. Write him at tom@hbcaustin.org.

A BEAUTIFUL THING
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Hillcrest Baptist Church
www.HillcrestAustin.org

Day 2 Devotional (Week 5)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

"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.'" -- Hebrews 13:5

In reading this verse, I was reminded of a conversation with my mother several years ago. During one of my college Social Work classes, we were discussing the poverty level in the United States. At that time, I realized that my parents' yearly earnings were below that level.

I knew that we were not rich, I did not know until then how much we did not have according to the United States census. I knew that my family had plenty of food to eat and clothes to wear, and that our parents loved us.

During that conversation with my mother, I asked her about their difficult financial situation while raising us. She stated "I knew God would always provide what we needed at that time. I was always thankful for what God provided to our family."

My mother continues to have a positive attitude and a belief that God would always provide for her family and herself. I do not remember my parents ever wanting to keep up with the Jones'; they were always content with what they had.

The virtue of contentment is a wonderful blessing, one that comes from God Himself. As such, God's Word reveals to us the temporary nature of material things, the inadequacy of material things to satisfy man, and the things that are truly essential in life. Furthermore, it promises that God will never leave us or forsake us and will continually provide the true essentials in and for life. God Himself will fill our soul with that which can truly satisfy, and He will enable us to enjoy the material blessings we acquire in life.

When Mary broke open her alabaster jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus in Mark 14, she demonstrated a life free from the love of money. Her Jesus was more important than her belongings, and Jesus said she did "a beautiful thing" to him. If we are going to do our part in the renovation of the Worship Center, it will require us to examine our priorities, too. It may lead us to spend a little more time just being "content with what we have" at home so we can do this beautiful thing for Jesus. As I've prayed about how to participate in this campaign, I've decided to wait a little longer to get another car. I know God will make it clear to all of us how he wants us to do our part in our own way.

Father, thank you for reminding us to be content with what You provide for us. What a blessing it is to know that You will never forsake or leave us. Amen.

Prepared by Denise Hall

To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every Monday through Saturday for five weeks. To opt out of these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.

A Beautiful Thing - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Have you been blessed by one of these "Beautiful Thing" devotionals across these five weeks? Have you been touched by one of the songs or inspired by one of the sermons? How has God challenged you as you've been praying about your involvement in the campaign? You've been reading these daily devotionals -- and now it's YOUR turn! In this week's sermon, Pastor Tom wants to read as many notes as time will allow. Write him at tom@hbcaustin.org. Day 2 Devotional (Week 5) Tuesday, May 10, 2011 "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.'" -- Hebrews 13:5 In reading this verse, I was reminded of a conversation with my mother several years ago. During one of my college Social Work classes, we were discussing the poverty level in the United States. At that time, I realized that my parents' yearly earnings were below that level. I knew that we were not rich, I did not know until then how much we did not have according to the United States census. I knew that my family had plenty of food to eat and clothes to wear, and that our parents loved us. During that conversation with my mother, I asked her about their difficult financial situation while raising us. She stated "I knew God would always provide what we needed at that time. I was always thankful for what God provided to our family." My mother continues to have a positive attitude and a belief that God would always provide for her family and herself. I do not remember my parents ever wanting to keep up with the Jones'; they were always content with what they had. The virtue of contentment is a wonderful blessing, one that comes from God Himself. As such, God's Word reveals to us the temporary nature of material things, the inadequacy of material things to satisfy man, and the things that are truly essential in life. Furthermore, it promises that God will never leave us or forsake us and will continually provide the true essentials in and for life. God Himself will fill our soul with that which can truly satisfy, and He will enable us to enjoy the material blessings we acquire in life. When Mary broke open her alabaster jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus in Mark 14, she demonstrated a life free from the love of money. Her Jesus was more important than her belongings, and Jesus said she did "a beautiful thing" to him. If we are going to do our part in the renovation of the Worship Center, it will require us to examine our priorities, too. It may lead us to spend a little more time just being "content with what we have" at home so we can do this beautiful thing for Jesus. As I've prayed about how to participate in this campaign, I've decided to wait a little longer to get another car. I know God will make it clear to all of us how he wants us to do our part in our own way. Father, thank you for reminding us to be content with what You provide for us. What a blessing it is to know that You will never forsake or leave us. Amen. Prepared by Denise Hall To prepare spiritually during our “A Beautiful Thing” campaign, you will receive a devotional written by our own members every Monday through Saturday for five weeks. To opt out of these daily devotionals, click here. To read the announcements from the “ABT Weekly Update,” click here.