Mathew 10: 9-10 ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat’

DAILY READING • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16; Isaiah 14-16; Psalm 113

Francis of Assisi was born in Italy in 1181 as the son of a wealthy merchant. As a young man, Francis led a worldly, carefree life. He was renowned for drinking and partying..
It was said he squandered his time terribly and outshone all his friends in trivialities.
In 1202 he marched off to battle, full of a young man’s dreams of military glory. But he was taken prisoner during the battle, and a year passed before his father could arrange ransom. That was followed by a year’s convalescence in Assisi, a year in which Francis, now in his early twenties, was slowly transformed. During his illness, he experienced dreams and visions and one day as he prayed he said he heard the Lord telling him to go and repair His house.
He then proceeded to sell off family goods to raise money for repairs of the Church building. When his father caught wind of this, he was furious. He dragged Francis before the local bishop to force his son into changing his unseemly behavior and to pay him back. In the course of the interview, Francis took off his clothes and laid them neatly in a pile before his father. “Up to today I called you ‘father,'” he said to him, “but now I can say in all honesty, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.'” He walked out of the cathedral to become a hermit.
One day in church he heard from the Gospel of Matthew, “Take no gold or silver or copper in your wallet, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics or sandals or a staff.” He took it literally and began an itinerant life of utter simplicity and preaching the message of repentance, and radical obedience to Christ’s teaching.
He is today celebrated as one of the most outstanding figures in Christian history.

Despite the great wealth he was born into, Francis found greater joy, when he became a devotee of the faith. It was only when he located his calling in Christ that he found value, peace and fulfillment in life.
Today, the concerns about what to eat, drink and wear, has derailed many people from following God’s call. The care of this life has diverted their attention from the divine purpose for their lives. We have to come to the place where we fully realize that our lives can only have meaning and value when we dedicate it to following God’s call.
We must value our calling more than the pursuit of worldly things. God will judge us according to how well we followed His will for our lives.
Your calling is what will matter in the end. You can make all the money in the world and still be unhappy, unfulfilled. What is more important is ensuring we are following God’s preordained plan for us. Once we are following the will of God we will be fulfilled whether we have or not have. Joy will fill our lives.

In Mathew 10, Jesus said ‘Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for workman is worthy of his meat.’ ”

Jesus told His disciples to take no purse for your journey, because the provision will come as you pursue the vision. Step out in faith believing God. You don’t have to have enough money before you strike out in doing what God has called you to do. . Faithful is He that called you who also will do it. What God has ordered He is able to pay for.
As we pursue God’s call, He will take care of us.
Indeed following God’s plan for our lives is what will bring provision, joy, peace and fulfillment. As we sincerely seek God’s kingdom first, then every other thing shall indeed be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to make You number one priority in my life. Surely as I seek first Your kingdom, every other thing shall be added unto me in Jesus Name

Quote
It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – – WORDBITE 222.