Daily Reading Week 22
Sunday
John 6 (FOCUS V.1–15)
Discover:
After healing a lame man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, Jesus declared His equality with God and offered witnesses to support His claims (John 5). He then traveled north to Galilee and crossed to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.
By this time, Jesus was very well known. A large crowd followed Him because they had seen His miracles and wanted to see more. The group included about 5,000 men, plus many women and children, making the total crowd much bigger (John 6:1–2, 10; Matthew 14:13–21).
Seeing the people, Jesus cared that they were hungry. He asked Philip, who was from nearby Bethsaida, where they could buy food. He asked this to test him: Would Philip trust Jesus to provide, or only see the impossible situation? Philip replied that even 200 denarii (eight months’ wages) would not be enough. Andrew found a boy with five loaves and two fish but noted it was far too little for such a crowd.
With those small resources, Jesus miraculously fed everyone, with plenty of leftovers! This miracle set the stage for His powerful “Bread of Life” teaching.
Jesus’ kindness in feeding this crowd (many of whom were not yet committed followers) shows how much we can trust Him. If He cared for them when they came on a sudden impulse, how much more will He care for us when we seek Him with a sincere heart?
Our Lord is gracious and kind. He is never hesitant to do good for us. While He has not promised to give us everything we want, He has promised to meet all our true needs, both now and forever. So do not think He is holding out on you. Bring every concern to Him in prayer with confidence!
Respond:
• What do you tend to focus on more—what you have or what you lack?
• What is something in your life that feels “not enough” to offer God?
• What would it look like to place that in Jesus’ hands this week?
• How might your perspective on giving change if you trusted God to multiply it?
Monday
1 Chronicles 29 (FOCUS V.14)
Discover:
In 1 Chronicles 29, the Chronicler records the death of David and the anointing of Solomon as king. In this chapter, David prayed before the assembled people of Israel as they gathered to worship the Lord and hear his final instructions about Solomon and the temple. Verse 14 is part of that prayer.
David’s prayer is a model for us in two important ways. First, it highlights God’s infinite perfections, sovereign rule, and power over everything. David begins by praising the Lord’s power and glory, declaring that He rules over all and gives strength to all (vv. 10–13). The God of Israel is not a small, local god. He is the sovereign Lord who controls all things and works through all things to accomplish His will. We do well to remember and acknowledge this when we pray.
Second, David’s prayer shows deep humility. He confessed that the people could only give generously for the temple because God had first enabled them. Everything they offered already belonged to the Lord. They were simply returning what He had entrusted to them. David also prayed that God would give Solomon and the people a wholehearted desire to obey and love Him (1 Chron. 29:14–19). David understood the sinful human heart and knew that only God can change it and create true devotion (Deut. 30:6).
By God’s grace, He not only gave Solomon the willingness to build the temple but also exalted him with great majesty before all Israel (1 Chron. 29:22–25). This is so typical of our Lord. He delights to give His servants far more than we could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). David himself received special kindness from God: a forty-year reign and a long, satisfying life (1 Chron. 29:26–30).
It is easy for our prayers to become long lists of things we want or need. While it is good to bring our requests to the Lord, we should also focus on praising God for who He is. Let us pray with humility, remembering His sovereignty and giving Him the honor and worship He so richly deserves.
Respond:
• Do you view your resources as something you own or something entrusted to you?
• How does your perspective affect your willingness to give?
• What would it look like to give as an act of worship this week?
tuesday
Romans 11 (FOCUS V.36)
Discover:
In today’s passage, Paul shows us the true goal of all theology: worship. Up to this point in Romans, he has taught some deep and difficult truths, especially from chapter 9 onward. He has expressed deep sorrow over Israel’s widespread rejection of Christ (9:1-5). He has explained that salvation and even judgment are in God’s hands (vv. 6-29). Paul has held two important truths together: Israel is responsible for rejecting the Messiah, and yet God has hardened them for a time so that the Gentiles might be saved (9:30–11:32).
In all of this, Paul presents a strong view of God’s complete sovereignty while still affirming that people are fully responsible for their sin. He does not answer every question or solve every mystery. Instead, he is content to let God be God. After carefully explaining what he can, Paul bursts into joyful praise, declaring that God is the Source of all things, the One who works through all things, and the final Goal of all things (11:33-36). He ends in worship.
As Douglas J. Moo writes in his commentary on Romans, our response to God’s supreme rule over all things should be the same as Paul’s: doxology, or worship. Worship is the only right response when we encounter the deep truths of God. We are finite creatures who will never fully understand the Lord, even as we learn more about Him throughout eternity. Our awe of Him will never end. In fact, it will only grow deeper. Let us worship our Lord with humble, grateful hearts.
Respond:
• In what areas of your life are you relying more on yourself than on God?
• How does this verse reshape your view of giving?
• What is one way you can realign your life around God this week?
Wednesday
Haggai 2:8
Discover:
When we look at our bank accounts, our career trajectories, or the mounting expenses of life, it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed. The world tells us that our security, peace, and success depend entirely on how much we can accumulate. But the prophet Haggai offers a radically different, freeing perspective.
God reminds the Israelites—who were discouraged by the meager resources they had to rebuild the temple—that He lacks nothing. He owns all the wealth, resources, and riches of the earth. He is the ultimate Provider.
This truth shifts our perspective in two major ways:
1. It cures our anxiety: If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the silver and gold, then He has unlimited resources to take care of you. When you face financial uncertainty, you can rest knowing that your provision is not bound to the limits of the economy or your own strength. Your job is simply to be obedient, and let God handle the rest of the math.
2. It redefines our purpose: We are not owners of our wealth; we are managers (stewards) of God's resources. When we recognize that everything we have comes from His generous hand, we are freed from the trap of hoarding. We can look outward and ask, “God, how do You want me to use Your resources to bless others and further Your kingdom today?” [
Take a moment today to acknowledge God's ownership of all you possess. If you are stressing over a financial need, surrender it to Him, trusting that the God who owns the silver and gold will provide exactly what you need.
Respond:
• What do you tend to trust more than God when it comes to provision?
• How does this verse challenge your sense of security?
• Where might God be asking you to trust Him more fully?
THursday
Philippians 4 (FOCUS V.19)
Discover:
As Paul finishes thanking the Philippians for their generous support while he was in prison, he reveals a truth we often forget when we give to God’s work. Yes, our gifts help meet the practical needs of those serving in the gospel. But there is more. In Philippians 4:18, Paul shows that our giving also blesses the Lord Himself.
This truth adds motivation to support kingdom work. We are commanded to love one another and meet the needs of fellow believers (1 John 3:11). We are also told that those who serve in full-time gospel ministry deserve support (1 Cor. 9:1–11; 1 Tim. 5:17–18). Yet God is so gracious that He promises to bless us when we obey. When we give to gospel ministry, we are offering a pleasing sacrifice to God Himself, and we can expect His reward in the age to come. The love we show others is not only a benefit to people but also a sacred service to God, and He is pleased with such sacrifices (Heb. 13:16).
Best of all, God blesses us not only in the future but also in the present. In Philippians 4:19, Paul assures the Philippians that God would meet all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Paul could not repay them from prison, but he confidently pointed them to God, who could provide far more than Paul ever could. The same Lord promises to do this for us as we faithfully give to His kingdom.
Respond:
• What needs in your life feel uncertain right now?
• How has fear influenced your willingness to trust God?
• What would it look like to trust God with your needs this week?
Friday
Luke 21 (FOCUS V.1–4)
Discover:
Jesus had some of His strongest words for religious leaders who used their position to take advantage of vulnerable widows. At the same time, He gave some of His highest praise to widows who gave generously and cheerfully to God’s work. We see an example of this in today’s passage.
In the first century, the temple and the priests were supported by the people’s tithes and offerings, just as God had instructed in Deuteronomy 12. People placed their monetary gifts in an offering box in the court of the women. This was somewhat public, so others could see who was giving and how much, especially by the sound of the coins dropping in.
The wealthy gave large amounts, while the poor gave very little. But Jesus taught that God does not measure gifts by the total amount. He looks at the heart and the sacrifice involved. The poor widow Jesus noticed gave only two small coins (worth about one-thirty-second of a day’s wage), yet it was everything she had. She gave out of her poverty with full devotion to the Lord. The rich, however, gave out of their abundance. Their gifts cost them nothing.
Whatever we offer to God should be valued not by its size but by the heart behind it. The Lord is more concerned with the spirit of our giving than the amount. He is glorified when we give with the right heart.
Respond:
• Do you tend to give out of comfort or out of trust?
• What keeps you from trusting God with what you currently have?
• Where is God inviting you to step out in faith through giving?
Saturday
Ecclesiastes 11 (focus v.1)
Discover:
All or nothing. That is the kind of commitment our Lord asks from us. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the only right response to the one true God, our Creator (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 22:37–38). It is also wise because life is short and tomorrow is never promised. We cannot put off full commitment to God and assume we will have another chance later.
The book of Ecclesiastes urges us toward this wholehearted devotion by reminding us how quickly life passes. In today’s passage, we are told to “cast your bread upon the waters” so that we may find it again after many days (Eccl. 11:1). This picture comes from ancient sea trade. Merchants had to send their goods out on ships, taking real risks, if they hoped to make a profit. They had to go all in. In the same way, the Preacher calls us to give ourselves fully to serving God today. Life is brief, and there is no time to delay.
This image also encourages generosity and trust in the Lord with our resources. We are to invest in God’s kingdom, knowing He will bring good returns in His time. We should also give cheerfully to those in need, sharing with “seven or even eight” (v. 2). We must work hard and give generously while we can, because we do not know what troubles may come in the future.
Respond:
• Where are you hesitant to give because you can’t see the outcome?
• How does uncertainty affect your willingness to trust God?
• What is one step of generosity you can take this week?