DAY 24: WEALTH AND RICHES
PHRONESIS DEVOTIONAL
30 DAYS DEVOTIONAL WITH PREACHER SAM
September 24, 2023.
Topic: WEALTH AND RICHES
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:3-11, 17-19
Verse for Meditation: Psalms 112:3 NKJV
Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
We don’t give so that we can be blessed, because we are already blessed (Eph. 1:3). In fact when we give, it shows that we are more blessed (Acts 20:35), but definitely not more than God; our giving to God is a way of worship.
We don’t give so that we can have more, because we already have all things in Christ (1Cor. 3:21; 2Pet. 1:3).
We give because we love God! The Bible says that Abel gave a more acceptable gift than Cain by faith (Heb. 11:4), so our giving is an expression of our faith. And the Bible also says that God rewards the faithful (Heb. 11:6). So there’s always a reward for giving out of love and faith (For example in Proverbs 3:9-10). But our eyes are not on the rewards but on the rewarder; this is what it means to re-prioritise our giving.
As a believer, we are God’s financial stewards on the earth. So we must bear in mind that all that we have came from God (Jn. 3:27; 1Cor. 4:7; 1Tim. 6:17), and it is our duty to use His resources wisely and to help those in need, not to squander it on our own lust and desire.
37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Don’t violate your conscience because of greed. Our attitude to money must not change.
Yet there are some believers that sing, “You take the whole world and give me Jesus.” These ones can’t do much for God. God does not need the world; He needs us to take the whole world for Him through evangelism.
And there are some believers that have Jesus and have the whole world for Jesus! These are the financial stewards.
The conversation that Jesus had with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-23 is not about a life of worthlessness, but a life of selfless ambition. Jesus said what He said to reveal the state of his heart. How do we know? Because of the balance Jesus brought in verse 27, that with God, it is possible to have money and God (Case Study: Abraham). If God works on your heart and re-purposes the money in your hand, you will do great for God. The integrity of God is there to put the right heart in the right position.
There are two things that reveal character; survival (Case Study: Job) and significance (Case Study: Solomon).
God expects you to manage your money in a way that shows honour for Him, care for yourself, and love for humanity through;
Self-care; for God wants you to enjoy yourself (1Tim. 6:17).
Generosity; always have a budget for giving. Give to God (1Chron. 29:9); give to your parents (Ex. 20:12; cf. Prov. 3:9; Matt. 15:1-9); and give to those in need (Prov. 14:21; 19:17).
Proverbs 18:16 TPT
Would you like to meet a very important person? Take a generous gift. It will do wonders to gain entrance into his presence.
Savings; know your level and stop acting to be rich (Prov. 13:7), have a budget on how you spend (Prov. 6:6-8; 21:5), and be prudent in your spending (Prov. 21:20; Isa. 55:2).
Investments; as God’s financial steward, God expects you to multiply not just save, embrace multiple streams of income (Eccl. 11:1-2). Some things are not prayed for but planned for. And also invest in the right kind of friendship too (Lk. 16:1-13); seek for their advice (Prov. 12:15; 15:22).
Then finally missions; put your money where your faith is. Always contribute to kingdom projects (Zech. 1:17).
In addition to the above, in handling your finance, always have something you are doing, and do it well (Prov. 22:29; Eccl. 9:10); improve on your skills and yourself; be excellent in what you do (2Cor. 8:7a NIV).
Use what you have and approach debt with caution (Prov. 22:7).
And finally exercise patience; don’t be tempted to venture into a get-rich-quick schemes, enduring riches always come in righteousness (Prov. 8:18; 13:11; 20:21; 28:20, 22).
In conclusion,
MONEY IS MY SERVANT, I RULE OVER IT. AND MY CONVICTION WILL NOT CHANGE.
Bible Reading Plan: John 21:12-25; Galatians 4:21-5:26; Proverbs 24
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