Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:2 (NLT)

A Prayer for the Week:
O God, keep us from becoming greedy. Help us to see how rich we already are because of you. Amen. (Luke 12:15, 21)

Mealtime Prayer:
Give us grace, O God, to be ever-thankful for your goodness, and ever-willing to help others in need. Amen.

A Blessing to Give:
May Jesus fill you with life. May he help you to know and follow his ways, now and always. Amen. (Colossians 3:1-10)

CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What is your most treasured possession? Why?
• Jesus warned people about wanting to have more and more things.
He said that life is not made up of how much a person has (Luke 12:15).
What in life can’t we get from money or possessions?
• What does faith in Jesus give us that money can’t buy?

DEVOTIONS
As a home devotional activity, cut out and decorate credit card-sized cards featuring these words: “Seek after God and not things.” Place these in your purses or wallets as a reminder to prioritize faith in Christ over the buying, gathering and using of things.

SERVICE
Being “rich towards God” (Luke 12:21) means growing in generosity toward those who are in need. Decide together on a food item or recreational activity (such as DVD rentals or a movie outing) to forgo this week. Set aside the money saved to donate to a charity.

RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Giving consistently and regularly to God’s work in and through the church is a helpful practice for keeping a check on our accumulation of earthly things. Setting aside a portion of our income for church giving reminds us that God is the giver of all we have and puts God first. Talk together about how you determine your financial giving to the church and why it is important to give in this way. If family members (including children of all ages) do not give regularly, decide on a practice that will help them do so, such as setting aside money each Saturday night ready for Sunday morning.
Encourage children toward stewardship by teaching them about 1) giving – setting aside a portion of all monies received for God; 2) saving – to reach a goal, instead of instant gratification; and 3) spending – making wise purchasing decisions.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday.
We invite you to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passages.
Sunday Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool
Monday Deuteronomy 8:6-20 Warnings about forgetting God
Tuesday Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 Worldly riches are meaningless
Wednesday Isaiah 5:8-17 The greedy are doomed
Thursday Luke 12:22-31 Trust God, not material things
Friday 1 Timothy 6:6-11,17-19 Love of money
Saturday 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 David praises the Lord
Sunday Luke 12:32-40 Seek treasures in heaven