MAY 4 – More Than Stuff
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:16-17; 1 Corinthians 5–6
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“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.” — Proverbs 15:16-17
“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” — 1 Corinthians 5:6
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19
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Have you ever thought that having more stuff would make life better? Like, if you just had a better phone, more friends, cooler clothes—then you’d really be happy? Proverbs reminds us that real happiness isn’t about what we have, but Who we fear and love: God. In 1 Corinthians 5-6, Paul talks to a church that got distracted by pride and selfishness, letting sin spread like mold in bread. He reminds them (and us) that our bodies and lives actually belong to God. Real life isn’t found in chasing things—it’s found in loving God, living purely, and letting His love fill every part of who we are.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. What really matters: Would you rather have a lot of “stuff” but feel alone—or a simple life full of real love, friendships, and God’s peace?
2. Be careful what spreads: Paul warns that sin doesn’t just stay small—it spreads. How can you protect your heart from influences that pull you away from God?
3. You’re God’s temple: How would your choices change if you really believed that God’s Spirit lives inside you?
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BOTTOM LINE
True peace and joy come from loving God and living for Him, not from chasing after stuff or trying to fit in with the world.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me that my worth isn’t found in what I have or what the world says about me. Help me to love You more than anything else. Teach me to live in a way that honors You and shows Your love to others. Protect my heart from anything that would pull me away from You. Thank You for making me Your temple.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.