Lukewarm Coffee Isn't Our Thing 

   Neither is a lukewarm dinner, or lukewarm friendship.

   Consider "we the people," free to excel if we are able, within the law. 

   We Americans have many goods and possessions, some of them in storage, laid up in the attic or in the garage. We just run out of room for it all.

   God has no objection to wealth, especially if someone helps the poor and supports missionaries. 

   Then again, he considers some of the rich to be, wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. - Rev. 3:17. Ouch! 

   Some early churches formed and grew hot. Blessings! 

   Some turned cold. Scolding!   

   Some were satisfied to be lukewarm. What could the Lord do with them? 

   Lukewarm churches or individuals don't respond to the Holy Spirit's enablement. Or to Jesus' instruction: Follow me! We're not cold enough to see our lostness. We don't think we need to repent.

   For those of us living comfortably, prosperity might crowd out faith. Multiplied possessions can possess us, even though we take communion.

   Jews long for the Messiah to come. Do we long for Jesus to return, or are we quite satisfied where we are? 

   Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:12-13):

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, 

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Continued tomorrow: A center of commerce