DO NOT LUST FOR RICHES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY JUNE 22, 2023.

SUBJECT : DO NOT LUST FOR RICHES!

Memory verse: "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!" (Proverbs 23 vs 4.)

READ: First Timothy 6 vs 9 - 10:

6:9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

6:10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

INTIMATION:

Lust is have a craving, appetite, or great desire for. Therefore, to lust for riches is to have a craving, appetite, or great desire for it. The reason people are so stressed out about riches is that they think they are in control of their lives. People tend to think they are responsible for all of the factors that lead to prosperity and the money needed to survive. They are worried about losing their jobs or a downturn in the economy because they see themselves as the source of their provisions.

The materialistic heart that lust after possessions is evil. In the desire to satisfy their lust for riches, they produce sorrows through striving for riches which manifest in the greedy motives of their hearts. Many have marginalized their relationships with friends, family and other believers to satisfy their thirst for riches. If one sacrifices his good works in relationships because he has no time for others as a result of running after riches, then his spiritual life is void of the very foundation of the community of God. One should never allow anything of this world to hinder his relationship with his fellow believers.

The believer seeking to be rich will lose the contentment with the necessities of life. In his worldly desire, he will lose sight of that which brings spiritual fulfillment. The snare into which he falls is the fact that he leads himself to believe that if he surrounds himself with possessions and involves himself in activities, he will be happy. His thirst for financial affluence will bankrupt him spiritually. It is not wrong to possess things of this world. However, one should never allow the possessions of this world to possess him.

Christians must understand that God takes care of His people. The contented life comes from realizing that possessions do not bring happiness. Treasured relationships are more important than any earthly treasure. And above all, one’s relationship with God is the true foundation upon which a contented life is built.

We have heard of many turned to money rituals, armed robbery, cheating, stealing, and many other evil tendencies, just in the quest to get rich. We become so obsessed with our pursuit for riches that we push God right out of our lives. But it is God who gives us everything we have, and He asks us to manage it for Him:

Seeing yourself as the source of blessing in your life puts a lot of pressure on you to control circumstances that are really beyond your control. When you know God is your source, you aren't worried about the natural circumstances. If God can prosper Abraham and feed his flocks and herds in a desert, then He can bless and prosper you in any economic situations. It doesn't matter what is going on around you. 

Sometimes it's hard to look beyond the physical or natural challenges you face and see into the spiritual realm, but you can do it with the steward's mentality, knowing that all you have is entrusted to your care by God; they are not really yours. Being a steward gives you a sense of confidence that ordinarily you will never have as long as you see yourself as the source and owner of the things you have.

A sister, during the wartime in Liberia, had nothing left with her—no food, no money, and didn't know where to run to when the rebels invaded their city. She turned her cares over to the Lord and was praising God. The rebels came and camped in her apartment with their food items in bags, beverages in cartons and what is more. They ordered her to be of service to them, preparing their meals. 

After a few days the government troops invaded the city and the rebels were forced to leave the city and eventually abandoned all they came with in her apartment. She then had in abundance all she needed more than what she could ask or think! (Ephesians 3 vs 20.) Can you comprehend such divine supply? Our God is awesome! Therefore, “Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He will give the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37 vs 4.)

The human tendency is often to take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our smartness, hard work, and power have made us rich. Therefore, we get so busy pursuing after riches that we may want to do anything to succeed. In pursuing riches, we “fall into temptations and a snare” that ultimately lead only to “destruction and perdition.”

When you hasten after riches, the tendency is to do things in disobedience to God’s leading, and against His will, and eventually lose your relationship with Him that ends you up in eternal condemnation. Therefore, the short time you live on earth, if spent pursuing after earthly possessions that you cannot take with you at the time of passing to meet with your Maker, and which will eventually be destroyed (Second Peter 3 vs 10), will rub you of eternity with Him.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of contentment in godliness, that I may not trust in uncertain riches, but completely in You—my Maker and Owner of the whole world, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!