THE MISPLACED TRUST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE MISPLACED TRUST!

Memory verse: "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and saith to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10 vs 24.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 19 - 21:

6:19:Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
6:20: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal:
6:21: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

INTIMATION:

To trust is to believe or have confidence in. Another word for trust is faith or believe. To trust or believe in someone or something is to depend on it. A trust is misplaced when the object of trust or confidence is eroded occasioned by the lack of the object living up to expectation. When we place our trust in our earthly possessions, instead of in God who created all those things, our trust is misplaced. In the passage we read today, Jesus contrasts the physical and temporal things of this world with the eternal, spiritual things that will endure the destruction of the physical (Second Peter 3 vs 10 - 12). 

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. The Scripture buttressed this point in Ecclesiastes 10 vs 19; 7 vs 12 when it says, "Money answers all things." And "..Money is a defense." This calls to mind the slang 'Money speaks' for those you trust in money. Consequently, many begin to trust more in the power of money than they do in the power of God—the Creator of all things. Many people erroneously think that wealth is the easiest way to get all they want. Those who pursue its empty promises will one day discover that they have nothing because they are spiritually bankrupt.

We live in a materialistic society where many people serve money. They spend all their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap, trust in the Creator, not the created. Can you honestly say that God, not money, is your master? One test is to ask yourself which one occupies more of your thoughts, time, and efforts.

Jesus made it clear that having wrong treasures leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. What we treasure the most controls us, whether we admit it or not. If possessions or money become too important to us, we must re-establish control or get rid of items. Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal value over temporary earthly treasures. Treasures that we possess on earth can easily be consumed or taken away from us. By concentrating on those things that are above this earth, one places earthly things in the right perspective. 

Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when He explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. God alone deserves to be our master. Either we store our treasures with God, focus our eyes on Him, and serve Him alone, or else we do not serve Him at all. The crown of righteousness in heaven awaits those who have forsaken the treasures of the world (Second Timothy 4 vs 8). 

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours. My total trust and confidence in You. Give me the grace never to shift my trust and focus on You, for anything, in any circumstances, and by anything, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY MAY 4, 2020.

SUBJECT: BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE! 

Memory verse: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

 (Hebrew

s 13 vs 5.)

READ: Philippians 4 vs 11 - 13:

4:11: Not that I speak in regard of need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

4:12: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

INTIMATION:

To be content primarily signifies to be sufficient, to be satisfied, to be enough for a thing. Contentment is the direct opposite of covetousness—greed, dissatisfaction, lustful, envious. Contentment ought to be a prevailing factor in the life of every believer. This is because it underscores the knowledge and understanding of God; the Owner of the world, and in Him all things consist. He created all things for His purposes, and according to His plans. He knows all our individual needs to serve His purpose, and promises to provide such needs (Matthew 6 vs 32). Therefore, no one is in contention with any other, and we should be content with what He has given us respectively.

We become content when we realize God's sufficiency for our needs. Believers who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can't take care of them, or at least, that He won't take care of them the way they want. Insecurity can lead to the love of things of this world, which then breeds enmity with God (James 4 vs 4). The only antidote is to put God first in your life, and trust God to meet all your needs (Matthew 6 vs 33). See God’s love expressed in what He has provided, and remember the futility of earthly desires; that the world and all that is in it will one day pass away (First John 2 vs 17).

How can you learn to be content? Most importantly See life from God’s point of view; strive to live with less rather than desiring more; give away out of your abundance rather than accumulating more; relish what you have rather than resent what you're missing. See God's love expressed in what He has provided, and put Him first in everything. The apostle Paul was content because he could see life from God’s point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul has his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal.

The apostle Paul was an epitome of contentment. He was content both in plenty and in need. The secret was his drawing on Christ’s power for strength, hence his acknowledgement of being able to do all things by the strength of God. Do you have great needs, or are discontented because you don’t have what you want? Learn to rely on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove the desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. He will supply all your needs, but in a way that He knows is best for you.

Paul said in First Timothy 6 vs 6 - 7, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 

This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on Him (Matthew 6 vs 33), and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. Those who desire to have more, or be rich have always fallen into temptations and snares, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which had drawn them into destruction and perdition. In so doing, they strayed from the faith in their greediness, and are pierced with many sorrows (First Timothy 6 vs 9 - 10).

Now, the question is, “Are you able to be content (get along happily) in any circumstances you face?” Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in a person’s life. To what are you drawn when you feel empty inside? How can you find true contentment? The answer lies in your perspective, your priorities, and your source of power. And remember, the contented is never poor, but the discontented is never rich.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are our great Provider. A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from You. My needs are already known to You. Endue me with the spirit of contentment, obedience, and absolute trust in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

MONEY STEWARDSHIP!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MAY 3, 2020.

SUBJECT: MONEY STEWARDSHIP!

Memory verse: "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven." (John 3 vs 27.)

READ: LUKE 16 vs 9 - 13:

16:9: And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by the unrighteous mammon that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting home.

16:10: He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 

16:11: Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true richest? 

16:12: And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?

16:13: No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

INTIMATION:

Money is a sore subject that a lot of people want to avoid, but in my considered opinion, learning how God views money is basic Christianity. Many people see making a living as resulting from the sweat of their brow, and they don't see God as their source. They separate their lives into spiritual matters, like heaven and hell, and other matters like career and finances. When it concerns spiritual matters they rely on God, and firmly commit their lives to Him, but when it comes to other matters, it becomes their baby. For instance, when it is money, they think it's all up to them, and view it as something they must control, and such ownership mentality leads to a lot of problems. 

God is the source of everything in our lives. He never intended us to carry any burden, including financial responsibility. He wants to lift that burden from you. A lot of Christians say they know God is the source of everything, but their lives don't reflect the understanding of that truth. They think that money comes by their own sweat and efforts, then they keep a much tighter hold on it. When you become attached to your money, it actually becomes your master. But when you see yourself as a steward and recognize money as God's blessing, even though you work for your paychecks, it totally changes the role money plays in your life. It ceases to control you and simply becomes a tool. 

The Scripture says in Deuteronomy 8 vs 18, "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth...." You may be out in the world actually doing the work you get paid for, but you need to develop the mindset that the money you receive doesn't belong to you; it belongs to God. Remember, God gave you your talents and abilities, and every good things you have is a blessing from Him. God entrusted you with all of your finances, and it is important to develop the mindset of being a steward over God's money, not yours.

The first step toward becoming responsible with your money is to get this mindset that it does not belong to you. Instead of clinging to your money, you need to think: “I am a steward of what God has entrusted to me. He has blessed me with talents, abilities, job, wisdom, and all the resources I have. I have the responsibility to serve God with all He has given me.” The Bible has more to say about money than most Bible doctrines like heaven and hell, or faith and prayer. Jesus taught more on the subject than any other single topic. In fact one quarter of Jesus' teachings is based on money. 

Jesus thought that people's attitude towards money reveal their hearts. Our integrity often meets its match in money matters. God calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily rationalize away. Most importantly, there is a direct relationship between how you manage the earthly blessings entrusted to you, and your inheritance of the vast heavenly riches. Heaven's riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God's kingdom. 

Jesus taught on stewardship over what has been given to us in the parable in the passage we read today. His teaching points out the function and attitude of a steward. A steward is a person who manages someone else's property, finances, or affairs. As Christians we are stewards, and we need to recognize that the money we have is not really ours; it's a gift from God (Psalm 50 vs 12), entrusted with us by Him to do His services. 

You may have worked for the money you have. May be you work from morning till night, or you may be working two jobs, or you have scrimped for years to get a little savings, and so the money you have accumulated seems like the result of your own efforts. I understand that way of thinking, but, in reality, it isn't true. God is the giver of everything we have. First of all, God gave you life. Only the living can say I have this or that, or I am this or that. He gave you all that you, and you are only a steward for all He has given you.

Prayer: Abba Father, the earth is Yours and all therein. All I have is Yours, and Yours I am. Engrace me with the steward mentality that I will manage adequately the money and other blessings You bestowed on me, all to Your glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

OBEDIENCE BEGETS GOD’S GLORY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 2, 2020.

SUBJECT: OBEDIENCE BEGETS GOD’S GLORY!

Memory verse: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to Him.” (John 14 vs 21.)

READ: Genesis 22 vs 15 - 18:

22:15: Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,

22:16: and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—

22:17: blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

22:18: In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

INTIMATION:

When we generally think of obedience, we think of doing what one is instructed to do. For instance, in speaking to our children we may say, "Will you please obey me and do what you are told?" What we mean is, "Please carry out my instructions." Such uses are not far removed from the intended meaning of Scripture, but far enough that the true essence of the word is lost. Obedience to God is more than submission to authority; it is submission based on love for God, believe, and trust in Him, and persuasion that He is God. Obedience is manifested in one’s conduct and may be observed. When a man demonstrates his obedience to God in his actions, he gives the only possible evidence that in his heart he believes God. Believe or faith is of the heart—you believe in your heart, and is invisible to man, but your outward expression of your inward faith is manifested in your actions of obedience. 

In the passage we read today, we saw the glory of God upon Abraham because of his obedience to Him; in blessing he was so blessed that he was rich in all things; his descendants were so multiplied that the entire earth are his descendants, either through Isaac or Ishmael. And through his seed the whole earth is blessed in the Person of our Savior Jesus Christ. Abraham never hesitated in carrying out God’s instructions, no matter how hard it seemed. He immediately went to sacrifice his only son, whom he gave birth to at the age of 100years. He never had a second thought nor consulted with anybody on God’s instruction, and obeyed immediately. 

Jesus said that His followers show their love for Him by obeying Him. Love is more than lovely words; it is commitment and conduct. God is so delighted in our obedience to Him. Consequently, our obedience occasions the manifestation of Himself to us, and we are assured of the love of the Father. Jesus, our role model, was obedient to the Father, even to the point of a shameful death on the cross, in order that God’s Will would be accomplished for mankind. Consequently, God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, things in earth, and things under the earth. What will be more glorious than this?

The consequences of disobedience are grave. It is likened to rebellion and stubbornness to God. Rebellion and stubbornness are serious sins. They involve far more than being independent and strong-minded. Scriptures equates them with divination (witchcraft) and idolatry (First Samuel 15 vs 23). Rebellion against God is perhaps the most serious sin of all because as long as a person rebels, he or she closes the door of forgiveness and restoration with God.

God considers our obedience better than our sacrifices and offerings. Christians today always make religious rituals, sacrifices, and offerings; like going to church, taking communion, paying tithes, and so on. God doesn't want these sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion (obedience) to Him. He doesn't have any need of these activities, they have no effect on His status, or nature. Sacrifices and offerings are all for our benefits. But benefits from God to us on these activities are only derivable on the platform of raw and complete obedience to God, otherwise they are empty if our reasons for doing them are selfish. 

The prophet Samuel told Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (First Samuel 15 vs 22). All we should do is to give God the obedience and lifelong service He desires from us, and He will benefit us as the Scripture says, "You shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1 vs 19). Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. All God wants is our sincere faith and devotion. The Christian rituals, sacrifices, and offerings are to be outward sign of an inward faith in God. 

Many today have come to place more faith in the rituals of their religion than in God they worship. God does not take pleasure in your outward expressions if your inward faith is missing (Hosea 6 vs 6). Though religious rituals can help people understand God and nourish their relationship with Him, but they are helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love and obedience to God.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is for an intimate relationship with You in total submission to Your Will. Endue me with the spirit of raw and complete obedience to You, and let my outward actions be a manifestation of my inward trust in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE DOUBLE-MINDED!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 1, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE DOUBLE-MINDED!

Memory verse:  "Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, If you have faith, and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and be cast into the sea; it will be done." (Matthew 21 vs 21.) 

READ: James 1 vs 5 -8:

1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

1:6: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

1:7: For Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

1:8: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

INTIMATION:

A double-mind is a mind that wavers; it’s not completely convinced about the referenced subject. In fact, a double-mind is always in doubt. And the one who doubts usually does not expect an answer to his or her requests because he or she has a weak faith. The double-mind person is a “two souled,” that is with two minds. Such persons will be trying to serve the Lord Jesus with one mind, and the world with the other. His or her commitment to God is always hindered by his compromises with the world. He can never give himself fully to God simply because he has partially given himself to the world. 

A double-minded person is not completely persuaded that God’s way is the best. Such persons treats God’s Word like any human advice and retains the option to disobey. He or she vacillates between allegiance to subjective feelings, the world’s ideas, and God’s commands. And because he or she does not totally committed to the Lord, he or she is undependable in reference to the service to the Lord. Consequently, God will not be committed to such him or her. 

In the passage we read today, the apostle James likens such wavering mind to the waves of the sea. If you observe the waves of the sea, you will notice how restless they are; subject to the forces of the wind, gravity, and tide. Double-mind or doubt leaves a person as unsettled as the restless waves. The double-minded person has no complete and absolute trust in God. And God is not pleased with such mind because it doubts His integrity. Consequently, such mind hardly receive from God since it’s in doubt and hardly would ask in faith. 

To "ask in faith, with no doubting" means not only believing in the existence of God, but also believing in His loving care. It includes relying on God and expecting that He will hear and answer to your prayers when you pray in line with His Will. Faith is the foundation upon which our prayer must be made. It is also the condition for which our prayers are answered. Therefore, believers must pray with the attitude that God will answer their prayers. The one who doubts in his or her prayers also doubts in the rest of his or her Christian life. His or her attitude and actions are determined by the circumstances in which he or she lives, and is not a person on whom one can depend in times of crisis. 

In First Kings 18 vs 21, the Bible gives aa illustration of the double-minded; "And Elijah came to all people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word." Elijah was confronted with the problem of dealing with double-minded men, who would not take a stand, and were vacillating between two opinions about the true God. In our society, even among the Christians, many people are very unstable in their ways, and hardly can take a stand in their lives. In fact, it is grievous when they cannot take a stand in their relationship with God, and are just drifting along with whatever is pleasant and easy to them. They are inadvertently, worshipping false gods, this time, themselves!

The unbelieving, double or doubting mind, is an indication of spiritual infancy, resulting in lack of divine wisdom. The apostle James advices that those who lack such wisdom should ask from God, and that, in His loving kindness, He will liberally and without reproach give to them. There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom is the skill or ability to correctly handle the knowledge of truth and facts. God is the source of true wisdom, and He generously and freely gives wisdom to those who ask. God does not become weary of our asking. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my Loving Father. My absolute trust and confidence is in You. What You cannot do for me, let it remain undone. What You cannot give me, let me never have it. My sufficiency is in You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

OUR CONFESSION IS OUR SOLID FRONT!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2020.

SUBJECT: OUR CONFESSION IS OUR SOLID FRONT!

Memory verse:  "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10 vs 23.) 

READ: Hebrews 4 vs 14 -14; 10 vs 21 - 23:

4:14: Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, Let us hold fast our confession.

4:15: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

4:16: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

10:23: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

INTIMATION:

Most Christians have never realized the vital place that their testimony or confession holds in their daily lives. The steadfastness of our faith in Christ is anchored on our persistent, intelligent confession of what we are in Him, which consists the solid front we put before the Adversary. The continual confession of the solidity of our faith in Christ is the bane of Satan, and his cohorts. For even Satan knows that God is ever faithful to His promises. In Revelation 12 vs 11, the Scriptures says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...." Christ has already finished the work for us in redemption. Ours is to believe in our hearts the finished work and confess with our mouth our rich heritage in Him, and the confession is our solid front against the adversary.

We believers should anchor our absolute faith in Christ just as the apostle Paul advised the believers in Philippi, and daily confessing and testifying of the steadfastness of our faith in Him. The apostle Paul told the believers in Philippi that their conduct would be worthy of the gospel of Christ, ensuring that they, at all times, are expressly demonstrating in their conduct, their trust and confidence in Christ. (Philippians 1 vs 27.) Also, knowing the efficacy the believers’ confession of their steadfastness in faith in Christ, Paul rejoiced with the believers in Colosse, saying, "For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” (Colossians 2 vs 5.) He was thrilled by the faith of the believers in Colosse, their absolute trust and confidence in Christ.

Now, the ‘new man,’ with the recreated spirit, knows that every Word of God is pure, purified, proven, and is a shield to all who trust in Him. In realization of this fact, it is of very vital that we hold fast to our confessions of faith in Him and His Word. Many believers repudiate their prayer by the confession of a doubt or admission of a doubt into their consciousness. Therefore, when we have prayed, we should never go back on our prayers with counter confession, but rather we should be steadfast in our faith, confessing the same faith we started with in prayers. 

Our complete trust, and hope should be in the Word of God without any iota of doubt. The heart must be rooted and grounded in the Word so that what He says is final with us. And we would continually be confessing the words as it’s written: "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55 vs 11.) Satan knows that God never goes back on His promises, and whenever believers put Him in remembrance of His Word, which is bringing before Him your strong reasons, He is under obligation to perform His Will—His Word is His Will.

You have prayed and spoken His Word, continual confession, and holding fast to those confessions of faith is the solid front put before Satan that he can never overwhelm. Knowing this fact, you stand firmly by your confession in prayer, not letting the enemy steal it away from you. It is obvious he will come with his lies, and we know he is the father of lies (John 8 vs 44.), but resist him and he will flee from you (James 4 vs 7).

Prayer: Abba Father, my absolute trust and confidence is in You, and Your Word. Give me the grace to continually confess my steadfast faith in You and Your Word in all circumstances, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

OUR GREATEST TEST AND TRUST!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2020.

SUBJECT: OUR GREATEST TEST AND TRUST!

Memory verse: "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16 vs 11.)

READ: Luke 16 vs 9 - 13:

16:9: And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.

16:10: He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

16:11: Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

16:12: And If you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

16:13: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

INTIMATION:

The greatest test and trust God put before us is money, hence one quarter of the teachings of Christ during His earth walk was on money. Most people fail to realize God’s perception of money, both a test and a trust. God uses money to teach us to trust Him. God’s interest is on how we use money, and also how trustworthy we are with the money available to us. It is noteworthy that money belongs to God, not us. It can be used for good or evil; let us use ours for good. Money has a lot of power; let us use it carefully, wisely, and thoughtfully. We must use our material goods in a way that will foster faith and obedience to God. 

Our use of money is a good test of the lordship of Christ. God says there is a direct relationship between how you use your money and the quality of your spiritual life. How you manage your money ("worldly wealth") determines how much God can trust you with spiritual blessings ("true riches"). If we use our money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. Let me ask: “Is the way you manage your money preventing God from doing more in your life? Can you be trusted with spiritual riches?”

The key to using money wisely is to see how much we can use for God's purposes, not how much you can accumulate for yourself. When we obey God’s Will, the unselfish use of our money will follow. How do you treasure your money? Does your money free you to help others? Does God's love touch your wallet? If your answer is yes, then you are storing up lasting treasures in heaven. The material possessions that are acquired on this earth are not wrong within themselves. What is wrong is how they were acquired and idolized (First Timothy 6 vs 10; Second Timothy 4 vs 10).

The greatest lesson in the passage we read today is in Luke 16 vs 9, Jesus said, “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.” The shrewd and unjust steward was even commended by the master, because he had dealt shrewdly by making friends with possessions entrusted with him. 

Jesus noted that “The sons of this world (the unbelievers) are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light (believers or Christians)” (Luke 16 vs 8). How? The unbelievers are a lot more better than Christians at making friends with their possessions. Philanthropy (goodwill toward mankind, voluntary promotion of human welfare) is far much practiced by unbelievers than Christians in our society. But this is an error; Christians, as followers of Christ, should be better stewards of the resources God entrusted them with. They should be selfless rather than being selfish. 

God blesses you so as to be a blessing to others. God said to Abraham, "...I will bless you; and you shall be a blessing" (Genesis 12 vs 2). This is a very important truth. One cannot take his or her possessions along into the dwelling of the new heavens and earth, but he or she can take the results of his or her giving. Money and possessions are not evil, but the love and selfish use of them. Riches are wrong when they lead one into sin. How then do you manage the blessings God entrusted with you? Are you serving Him with them? Are you blessing others with your talent, money, possessions, etc., or are you greedy and selfish with them? 

Money has the power to take God's place in your life. It can become your master. We live in a materialistic society where people serve money. They spend all their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. They become slaves to money. Jesus said to His followers, “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12 vs 33 - 34). 

It is also important to note that our integrity is often put in line in money matters. God calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily ignore. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God’s kingdom. See that you maintain your integrity in all money matters, whether big or small. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? Ask yourself; ‘Do I think and worry about it frequently?’ ‘Do I give up doing what I should do or would like to do in order to make more money?’ ‘Do I spend a great deal of my time caring for my possessions?’ ‘Is it hard for me to give money away?’ ‘Am I in debt?’

Money is a hard and deceptive master. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Those who are lovers of money are not faithful to God in their acquisition of wealth (Matthew 15 vs 3 - 6). They cannot be good stewards of God’s heritage because they had proved themselves dishonest by taking advantage of people in order to take care of own material well-being. One’s correct use of material things will determine one’s right to eternal life. A man’s faithfulness is determined by what he does with what he has. Great fortunes can be made, and lost overnight, and no amount can provide perfect health, happiness, or eternal life. How much better it is to let God be your Master. His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to manage Your resources entrusted with me properly, that I may earn Your approval, and enter into Your rest, in Jesus’ most precious Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!