Day 220: Money: A Blessing or a Curse? (Proverbs 19:13-22, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Chronicles 26:20-27:34)
Day 220: Money: A Blessing or a Curse? (Proverbs 19:13-22, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Chronicles 26:20-27:34) : Introduction Laurence was in charge of the finances of the church. He was also a deacon. There was a great revival taking place all around him. It was said that, ‘All of Rome were becoming Christians.’ As a result, persecution broke out under the Emperor Valerian in around the year AD 250. Christians who owned property distributed all the church’s money and treasures to the city’s poor. Valerian ordered all bishops, priests and deacons to be arrested and executed. He offered Laurence a way out if he would show where all the church’s treasures were located. Laurence asked for three days to gather it into one central place. He brought together the blind, poor, disabled, sick, elderly, widows and orphans. When Valerian arrived, Laurence flung open the doors and said, ‘These are the treasures of the church!’ Valerian was so angry that he decided beheading was not terrifying enou...