THE LOVE OF MONEY VERSUS TRUST IN GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 20, 2021.

SUBJECT : THE LOVE OF MONEY VERSUS TRUST IN GOD!

Memory verse: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (First Timothy 6 vs 17).

READ: First Timothy 6 vs 6 - 10:

6:6: Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

6:7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 6:8: And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

6:9: But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

6:10: For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

INTIMATION:

Looking at the world around us, we can see that money has tremendous power. It obviously enables us to do things we can't otherwise do, and it gives us a certain level of respect and great confidence. For instance, when a rich man walks into a room, his financial status gives him authority that a poor person in the same room doesn't have. 

Then Scripture buttressed this point in Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19; 7 vs 12 when it says, "Money answers all things." And ".....Money is a defense." The danger is that unless you are careful, you will begin to trust more in the power of money than you do in the power of God. This calls to mind the slang 'Money speaks' for those you trust in the power of money. We throw money at our problems, but just as the thrill of wine is only temporal, the soothing effect of the last purchase soon wears off and we have to buy more. 

Scripture recognizes that money is necessary for survival, but it warns against the love of money. Money is dangerous because it deceives us into thinking that wealth is the easiest way to get all we want. The love of money is sinful because we trust money rather than God to solve our problems. Those who pursue its empty promises will one day discover that they have nothing because they are spiritually bankrupt.

The last verse in that passage is very interesting. It says that your heart is where your treasure is; which means you can tell where a person's heart is by where their money (treasure) goes. This Scripture illustrates the point Jesus was making with the rich young ruler when He told the man to sell all of his goods. (Mark 10 vs 21.)  Jesus was saying, "If you really love and trust Me more than your money, then put your treasure in heaven." The man wouldn't do it because his treasure and his heart were on earthly riches. 

Jesus never asked him to sell and bring the money to Him. He has no need for it. Jesus loved him (Mark 10 vs 21) and wanted to show him the right path of life for him to walk in (Psalm 16 vs 11). Of course, we know that the Lord would have blessed that man back with even more than he gave away (Proverbs 19 vs 17), so God wasn't trying to take from him. Jesus was just trying to get the man to put his total trust and dependence on God.

Do not let the love of money drive the real thing out of you—the love and trust in God! Live a life of contentment and godliness which is greatly gainful. The Scripture admonishes us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13 vs 5.)

God has given us a promise “never to leave nor forsake us.” So, why don’t you put your absolute trust in Him whom nothing is impossible with nor difficult for? Those things money can’t get you are only possible with Him, and never difficult for Him! The apostle Paul admonishes in our memory verse, “not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 

Prayer: Abba Father, You have given us all that pertains to life and godliness. Endue me with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, that I may know the hope of Your calling, and the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in us that believes, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!