THE DECEPTIVE TRUST AND POWER IN RICHES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY DECEMBER 05, 2022.

SUBJECT : THE DECEPTIVE TRUST AND POWER IN RICHES!

Memory verse: “And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10 vs 24.)

READ: Proverbs 18 vs 10 - 11:

18:10: The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

18:11: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.

INTIMATION:

People recognize that money give them power. It enables them to put food on the table and pay their bills. The power in money has been given various names: 'purchasing power,' ‘bargaining power,’ ‘economic power,’ negotiating power,’ and so on. So, people see giving their money away as loosing power. They think they are loosing in life by giving. 

In imagining that their wealth is their strongest defense, rich people are sadly mistaken. Money cannot provide safety—there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. Eventually, in many circumstances your wealth can lose its power. But God never loses His power. He is always dependable and ever faithful.

But God knows our frame (Psalm 103 vs 14); He knows how dependent we are upon wealth. He knows how fearful we can be about money, and that's the reason He made so many promises to prosper us when we trust in Him. 

Jesus laid emphasis on the teaching of money because of its importance to our daily lives, and our relationship with God. Churches don't preach on money today the way Jesus did, apparently because of fear of the perception of the congregants. When something is said from the pulpit about money, the motivation is to get us to give to fund ministries or projects. But this is very important for our Christian race.

Let us revisit the story of the rich young man. After the man walked away unwilling to part with his money, the Lord said, "How hard shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10 vs 23 - 24.)

You could say it this way, "How hard it is for rich people to be born again." That's quite a statement, because people often see riches as blessings from God indicating God’s approval. That was why the disciples were astonished. But Jesus clarified His statement to mean, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches." He wasn't saying that riches itself makes it difficult to be saved. He was saying that having lots of riches can trick people into putting faith in their riches because of the associated powers in it. Instead of putting their trust in God who gives them the power to get the wealth. Riches aren’t the problem, how you trust in the associated powers is the issue.

Where do you look for security and safety—uncertain wealth or God who is always faithful. Are you putting your trust in riches or in the Lord where you find true riches? It's a question everyone should ask ourselves. All of us want to say, "Oh yes, I'm trusting in the Lord," but you have to do more than just say it. As the apostle James said in his epistle, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2 vs 26). So, yes, you can see where a person's heart is by where their money goes. Someone who is really trusting in the Lord will prove it by tithing and giving out of their resources. 

See, the danger with riches is that you can get to where you trust in what riches can do, that’s, relying on its inherent powers to work for you more than you trust in God. Then, when you come upon a problem that money can't solve, you will feel like the earth is crumbling beneath you. God will still be there to help you, but you will not have learned to trust in His ability to deliver you. This is the major reason why giving is important: because learning to trust God starts with your money.

The psalmist in Psalm 18 vs 2 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Unlike riches, God’s protection of His people is limitless and can take many forms. God is the supreme controller of all circumstances. In Him all finalities rest. The Scripture, in Lamentations 3 vs 37 notes, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” Only with God’s approval will your riches provide a safe haven for you. Therefore, put your trust in Him that controls all circumstances.

Prayer: Abba Father, by You all things consist. You are my shield and buckler. May I never put my trust in any other thing but You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. 

PRAISE THE LORD!