Key Bible Verse: "'People need more than bread for their life'" (Luke 4:4). Bonus Reading:Luke 12:22–32

When Abel Hendricks was president of the Methodist Church in South Africa, he fought resolutely against the apartheid system.

To offer a morsel of appeasement, the South African government sought to establish two houses of parliament besides the all-white house. One house would be for [racially mixed] coloreds and one for Asians. Neither would have any ultimate power. Abel probably could have won a seat in the colored house. But his commitment to the overwhelming majority who'd continue to be oppressed led him to oppose the proposed system.

Government leaders came to Abel asking him to rescind a letter he'd written to the people of his district, urging them to boycott the election. Abel was nearing retirement age and had no property of his own. Appealing to his self-interest, the white leaders offered him a retirement home, fully paid for, if he'd simply "be quiet."

Hearing the offer, Abel smiled and confidently but humbly responded, "In my Father's house are many mansions. I dare not risk losing my house in heaven for anything you might offer me on earth."

My Response: How am I being asked to trust God these days?

Thought to Apply: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The man who believes this has calm quiet confidence, based upon God's power and not his own.