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The instructions from Gary's wife...

Illustration
Day of Pentecost - A
John 7:37-39
The instructions from Gary's wife were quite specific. While she was away visiting her family, he was to water each of her plants at least once a day. "No problem," he told her. And it wasn't a problem for the first few days. However, he got busy and missed a day ... or two ... or three. Finally, the day before his wife was to return, he remembered the plants.

When he checked on them, they were all wilted and drooping, the life drying out of them. Fortunately for Gary, the plants all responded to the life-giving water and were in full health by the time his wife returned.
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Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
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This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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