NEVER ENOUGH.

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

ECCLESIASTES 5:10.

IN ADDICTIONS LIKE ALCOHOLISM, people experience a phenomenon called tolerance. A person's body gets used to the level of alcohol being consumed, so he or she has to drink more to get the same effect. And the process continues as the body adjusts to taking in more and more.

The same phenomenon occurs in the world of money and possessions, but in this case, tolerance is a psychological effect. People believe that the next rung up the ladder will give them the happiness they long for, so they work hard to get there. When they achieve it, they feel great-even euphoric-for a little while. But soon, the feeling wears off, and the next rung comes into view. The pursuit of more always promises ultimate fulfillment, but it always leads to deep disappointment. It is, as Solomon observed, vanity-empty and futile.

The solution to the problem of tolerance in money and possessions isn't to get more and more. It's to kick the habit! We need to step back, take a hard look at the compulsion to acquire, and confess our sin to G.o.d. He will forgive us, give us wisdom, and put us on a path of filling our lives with things that really satisfy.

Do you agree or disagree that for many people, the lure to acquire is like an addiction? Explain your answer.

What changes do you need to make in your perception of what will really satisfy you?

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and triples that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man; rely on it: 'Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.'"-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN "Money will buy you a bed, but not a good night's sleep; a house, but not a home; a companion, but not a friend."-ZIG ZIGLAR

OCTOBER 23.

FOOLISH SONGS.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.

ECCLESIASTES 7:5.

"I DIDN'T ENJOY HEARING IT, but I really needed to hear what you told me. Thank you." This was the response of a man whose boss had told him he wasn't getting a promotion. His boss explained the reasons the man had been bypa.s.sed, and instead of reacting defensively, he listened, accepted the truth, and made changes in his life.

One of the chief marks of maturity is the ability-in fact, the desire-to hear correction. Far too often, we pursue friendships with people who tell us only what they think we want to hear. They tell us that we're brilliant, gifted, and right, and if anybody (like a boss or spouse) tries to correct us, our "friends" take our side and tell us we're victims of injustice.

n.o.body likes to hear correction, but think of it this way: When we're sick, we take medicine to make us well. Only a fool would insist he doesn't need it! In the same way, when our hearts are sick, we need the medicine of truth from a wise "physician of the soul" who speaks truth to us. If we listen, we take steps on the path of health and hope.

How do you normally respond to correction?

How is correction from a wise person like medicine?

"If what they are saying about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn't true, forget it and go on and serve the Lord."-H. A. IRONSIDE

OCTOBER 24.

STUMBLING IN DARKNESS.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

MICAH 7:8.

THE PROPHET MICAH had just issued a scathing condemnation of G.o.d's people. Their sins were unspeakable-murdering members of their own families, practicing bribery and corruption in politics, oppressing the poor, and defying their parents (see Micah 7:2-6). The sins of the people of G.o.d precipitated a very dark time in their history.

When the people heard Micah's rebuke, however, they responded with appropriate humility and courageous faith. Though they had stumbled in their self-made darkness, they believed the promises of G.o.d to forgive, restore, and give them light again. Their response is a powerful lesson for those who are stuck in their sins.

When we've gone down the wrong road for a long time, even destructive habits can feel very comfortable. Change is threatening, so we find excuses to stay in our darkness. We complain that n.o.body understands, or that change is too hard, or that we'll fail again so there's no use even trying. Any semblance of courage to change is washed away in a tidal wave of self-pity. An alcoholic explained that she felt more comfortable with the destruction of her addiction than the prospect of change: "It may be h.e.l.l, but at least I know the names of the streets."

G.o.d's people, though, didn't use any excuses. They voiced their faith in G.o.d's mercy, and they took action to step out of darkness into His light. For people who have been deeply wounded or who stay stuck in sin or addiction for a long time, courage is the chief ingredient of change.

In what ways is staying in darkness easier and more attractive than taking positive steps toward change?

How can a person overcome feelings of self-pity and take steps forward?

"You can encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated."-MAYA ANGELOU

OCTOBER 25.

THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER.

Saul was very angry, . . . and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?" So Saul eyed David from that day forward.

1 SAMUEL 18:8-9.

SAUL WAS THE TALLEST, most handsome man in the land-straight off the GQ cover. His good looks, though, weren't as important as his status. Out of all the men of Israel, G.o.d had chosen him to be king. Saul had it made, but sadly, it wasn't enough for him.

By contrast, David was born in a relatively obscure shepherd family. He was only a young man, but he was as brave as a lion! When the Philistine giant Goliath threatened the army of Israel, little David stepped up and killed him with a rock from a slingshot. The army was spared, Saul still reigned on the throne, and the Philistine threat vanished. You'd think Saul would be grateful, but when the people sang to praise David's exploits, the green-eyed monster of jealousy rose in Saul's heart.

Jealousy warps a person's thinking, creating the illusion of threats that don't actually exist. Because people praised David, Saul concluded that David wanted his throne. His false perception justified his anger and further enflamed his jealousy.

One of the marks of a secure, mature person is to be thrilled that others receive praise and to join in. Jealousy is a sure sign of insecurity, and mental machinations that produce images of threats to ourselves only reinforce bitter feelings and jealous actions. The cure for jealousy isn't to control and condemn the other person. The solution is to step back, acknowledge the root cause of insecurity, and deal with it. The love, acceptance, and grace of G.o.d give us a firm foundation so that we don't have to be praised more than anyone else.

What are evidences of jealousy? How does it affect relationships?

What are some ways to address the root problem of insecurity?

"You will make a lousy somebody else, but the best you in existence."-ZIG ZIGLAR

OCTOBER 26.

HANDLE WITH CARE.

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, G.o.d will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, G.o.d shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

REVELATION 22:18-19.

AN OBSERVANT TEACHER once said, "G.o.d created us in His image, and we've returned the favor. We've created Him in our image." All of us see the world through our own eyes, both physical and spiritual, and we tend to interpret biblical truth to make it fit our preconceived opinions. That's natural, but it's dangerous.

Early in the Bible, Moses instructs G.o.d's people not to add to or subtract from G.o.d's laws (see Deuteronomy 12:32). Here, at the end of the Bible, John gives us a similar warning, specifically about the prophecies in Revelation. For centuries, people have been fascinated with the dramatic vision of worldwide calamities that will occur before and when Christ comes again. Scenes of carnage that must have seemed unbelievable in the first century make sense in our day of mobile warfare and nuclear arms. Some of us try to fit our daily news accounts of the Middle East into the chapters of Revelation.

John warns us, though, to be careful-very careful-to avoid shoehorning prophecy into today's news or to interpret the scenes too specifically. Is it exciting to think about what prophetic scenes might look like in reality? Sure, but we need to hold G.o.d's message in the highest regard and read it with reverence. The Reformation teacher John Calvin wrote detailed commentaries on every book of the Bible-except for Revelation. He couldn't write about it, he explained, because he didn't understand it well enough.

How then should we read, interpret, and teach this spectacular book?

What does it mean to read it with reverence?

"No Scripture is exhausted by a single explanation. The flowers of G.o.d's garden bloom not only double, but seven fold: they are continually pouring forth fresh fragrance."-CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

OCTOBER 27.

THE SHIRT OFF YOUR BACK.

Jonathan and David made a covenant, because [Jonathan] loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

1 SAMUEL 18:3-4.

JONATHAN HAD EVERY REASON to be wary of David. Jonathan was Saul's son, the next in line for the throne. He was going to be the king of Israel, with all the honor, wealth, and power of that preeminent position. But Jonathan was, first and foremost, a friend, not a prince. His dedication to David surpa.s.sed his desires for his own future.

Jonathan's commitment to his friend inspired him to initiate a covenant, a solemn pledge. To confirm the agreement, Jonathan gave David his royal robe. That was significant, but it wasn't all. Jonathan also gave him his armor, including his sword, his bow, and his belt. This act of remarkable generosity signified that Jonathan was acknowledging that David would take his place on the throne after Saul died.

Our friendships often are based only on mutual interests: You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. When the friendship threatens personal loss, it dissolves. Jonathan's example, though, is of a categorically different type of friendship, in which both parties are dedicated to the good of the other, no matter what the cost. These friendships are rare, but they are life changing for both people. Those who enjoy this level of friendship tell us that their friend made all the difference in their futures, most often because the friend remained loyal during the darkest, most difficult moments in their lives. That's the measure of true friendship, one that involves genuine love, sacrifice, and time.

Have you ever experienced a friendship like this? Explain your answer.

What would it look like if you were this kind of friend?

"Whatever you are, it is your own friends who make your world."-WILLIAM JAMES

OCTOBER 28.

ONE AT A TIME.