Matthew 9:9 - "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collectors' booth; and He said to him, 'Follow me!' And he got up and followed Him."

Matthew was in the midst of work, in the midst of living his life, when Jesus came and called him. He was not concerned with what his friends would think, or what would happen to his job when he walked out. His earthly status was not as important as his spiritual status.

There are many things I do that I feel are necessary. It is important to have a job, as it is scriptural to be good stewards of our money. I need to work to provide for myself and pay off my debt. But do I rely on my job to allow me to do that or am I relying on the One who provides? If I lose my source of income, would I worry about where my next meal, next car payment will come from? More importantly, would I be willing to leave on my own volition or would it take a circumstance that forces me out? I have been in difficult situations with finances and have trusted in God. But I still have a hard time leaving when God says go.

Matthew had the privilege of having Jesus there and knowing for certain that it was His voice calling him. I must learn to recognize Jesus' voice so that I know when it is He who calls me.

Matthew 9:29 - "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

God answers the prayers of the righteous. The righteous shall live by faith (James 5:16, Romans 1:17). Our faith determines the measure of our blessing. If I have faith only enough to believe I will receive little, little will be given. But If I have faith enough to believe I will receive much, much will be given.

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee

Laban became greedy and began to treat Jacob poorly. He grew to covet the prosperity he received after Jacob worked for him, and took advantage of Jacob's hard work. From the moment he tricked Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, Laban tried to take whatever he could from Jacob without giving anything in return. Never did he see him as a son, only as a means of making a profit.

Yet despite all of his efforts, God still blessed Jacob and gave him much. When he fled to Canaan with what had been decided as his wages, he had much, even though Laban had tried to take it all away from him. Jacob served Laban even while being mistreated, and God rewarded Jacob while taking from Laban what he tried so hard to hold on to.

Often times people see us for less than what we are. They look at how we can better their lives, and do not take into account the needs of our own life. Yet we are not to repay their inconsiderate attitude with one of our own. Just as Jacob had committed to serving Laban, so we have a commitment to God to server others. We can not let the bad things others do make us into bad people. Romans 12:17-21 tells us that we should not return evil for evil, and that God is the one who will enact vengeance. Just as Laban lost his daughters and his cattle, so God will repay as He sees fit. We need to be as Jacob was and wait for God's blessing.