“SPARSAM IST NICHT GEIZIG”, we say in Germany. But what does that mean in english, I hear you already asking.

It means simply that there is a difference between being thrifty and being stingy. But where do you draw the line?

I have learnt that Stinginess and Selfishness is the same and selfish people find it difficult to give things away. I have also learnt that stinginess can appear with  two symptoms that seem to be harmless.

The first symptom is “Thriftiness”.

The second symptom is “Smart planning”.

Is there someone who can shed more light on this subject?

HOW DO YOU STOP THEFT?

The sign at the door says:

“TO STOP THEFT.

PLEASE LEAVE LARGE HANDBAGS AT  FRONT COUNTER.”

The Bible says:

“YOU SHALL NOT STEAL” –

Exodus 20:15

(Ephesians 4:28; Titus 2:10; First Peter 4:15)

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” – C. S. Lewis

HAVE YOU EVER SAID TO THE LORD THAT YOU LOVE HIM? DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER!

1.    “‘IF YOU LOVE ME,

you will obey what I command.'” – John 14:15

Read also John 14:16

2.    “‘IF ANYONE LOVES ME,

he will obey my teaching.'” – John 14:23

Read the whole verse.

3.    “‘IF YOU LOVED ME,

you would be glad that  I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.'” – John 14:28

Here is the answer:

IT MEANS THAT WE OBEY THE COMMANDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TEACHING. AND THAT MEANS THAT WE MUST READ THE BIBLE.

SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY is “named after St Valentine, 3rd-century A. D. Christian martyr“. That’s what THE COLLINS CONCISE DICTIONARY says. The dictionary says also that “valentine” is “a card or gift expressing love or affection, sent, often anonymously, on Saint Valentine’s Day.”

When reading this it comes to me all of a sudden that I don’t think very much about the Christian martyrs or the persecuted Christians.

Richard Wurmbrand comes to my mind and the “VOICE OF THE MARTYRS”. On my bookcase is a book called THE PASTOR’S WIFE by Sabina Wurmbrand (Edited by Charles Foley).  On the back cover it says, “The incredible story of Sabina Wurmbrand’s imprisonment and survival during her husband’s 14 years’ persecution in Communist prisons for underground Christian activities.”

In MILLER’S CHURCH HISTORY I am reading about the condemnation, degradation and execution of John Huss. The name is familiar to me from my years in school.

The book tells us also about the Martyrdom of others. I am now encouraged to read those accounts. I hope you are also encouraged to do so!