But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. — Ephesians 5:3 KJV
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. — Ephesians 5:3 NIV
Reflection
“Not even the slightest clue!” Hmmmm! Do you ever wish that it were the case? This guideline is not quite followed by the congregation that I go to and by the person that I see when I look in the mirror the most. If we are able to resist sexual temptation, we are often unable to resist the lure of avarice. In a society that places a premium on outward displays of wealth, my primary concern is gluttony rather than immorality or impureness. It’s not that I don’t care about purity; it’s just that we’ve grown so numb to our own avarice that it’s become irrelevant to us. Let us take some time during this season of giving to conduct an open and honest examination of our hearts concerning our “wanting,” “getting,” and “possessing.”
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, please forgive me, for my avarice and self-centeredness. I beg you, please give me your kind of heart. You proved that you have such a heart when you gave away the most precious thing you had to wretched people like me. I have now reached the age where I can sit as a child at your table and inherit something from you. I am grateful to you for your grace. Dear Lord, I beseech you to bestow upon me the blessing of your Spirit, which strives to cultivate in me a heart that is giving and gracious. I pray to you in the name of Jesus. Amen.