MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” In verse 15, Jesus makes it clear that the wolves are the ones who have not passed the money test. They manipulate, they work very hard to make sure they can collect the maximum amount of money out of people and they do it through a variety of different schemes. Some of which include felt-tipped, color motivating highlights emphasizing the high points. Pictures of needy people and anything that would elicit a sympathetic tug on the heart, causing people to give is used. Jesus made it clear—these are the branches that are going to get chopped off and thrown into the fire. Perhaps that is beginning to happen. It is time to learn that when it comes to giving, you give by revealed need rather than apparent need. As long as you allow yourself to function only in the apparent need realm, you are open to every manipulation that comes along. Growing up into God’s maturity means that you learn to give only as you are prompted by the Holy Spirit, in obedience to God’s Word and Voice.