Every Temptation is an Opportunity for Faithfulness

Vice & Virtue

By Ed Traverse , March 30, 2025

Greed has a way of blurring the


Numbers 22:6-7 – 6  Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” 7  So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand. And they came to Balaam and gave him Balak's message.


Numbers 22:9-12 – 9  And God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?”  10  And Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,  11  ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’”  12  God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”


We could all use a little help with


Numbers 22:23 – “   And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road”


Numbers 22:23,31 – “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD” 


The secret to contentment is rooted in


1 Timothy 6:17-19 – 17  As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  18  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,  19  thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.