The Rich Man

For Wednesday, June 11, 2025:

Luke 12:18 NLT: “Then the rich man said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.’”

Look at the trend in the US. Every room in our houses is filled; Our closets are overflowing. Next, we fill up the basement, leaving little paths through all the stuff. Over half the people with garages can no longer get cars inside because of all their stuff. When we run out of space, the solution is to rent a small storage unit, an ongoing, never-ending expense to keep stuff you haven’t used or even seen in over a year!

One of my churches put forth a challenge: Get rid of 30% of your unneeded stuff in 30 days. I may not get there, but it’s a worthy goal.

Jesus confronts us with the harsh reality that we could die tonight. Who knows when your heart might stop beating, or your lungs stop taking in oxygen? And just like that, in a flash, it’s over! Given that scenario, it’s obvious that we’d be better off building our relationship with the Father, rather than amassing more worldly goods that we can’t take with us.

Jesus advised, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Character!

For Wednesday, June 26, 2024:

1 Peter 3:3 NLT: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.”

Anyone can “dress to the nines” or get “all dolled up” if you have the right stuff. But that’s all it is – stuff! There’s nothing of substance in owning all the right stuff – nothing that matters, nothing of eternal significance.

God can see right through it all. He’s not impressed with fancy clothes, but he’s very interested in what’s inside! He’s looking for a loving attitude from a person of good character. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing dungarees and a T-shirt!

God knew you in your mother’s womb, so he already knows you well, clothes or no clothes, hair or no hair. And fancy jewelry will stay on earth when you go to the next reality.

Do you revere the Son? Have you claimed Jesus as savior of your soul? That’s what will please God – unflinching loyalty to his Son!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Knowing God Matters!

For Saturday, June 11, 2022:

1 Timothy 6:6 NLT: “True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

None of us wants to be destitute. So in a way overreacting, mankind seems obsessed with having more – more money, a bigger house, a fancier car – more ‘stuff.’

Life on this earth is a relatively short time compared to eternity with the Creator. Paul points out that we came into this world with nothing, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave. But knowing the Lord and having a relationship with his Son Jesus is treasure that will carry us into the life after this life. That’s something of substance, something of eternal significance. Knowing God matters!

Redemption is you what you really need, not ‘stuff!’

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406