Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 13, 2016
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
I like happy endings, which is one reason I am so glad that the story of humanity—which began with sin—will one day end with man walking side-by-side in unbroken fellowship with God. But until then, we live with the ever-present reality that while relationship with God has been restored through Christ, we still suffer from the consequences of sin. For example, when sin came into the world, the unwavering confidence of being fully loved and fully provided for was lost. This tragedy shows up in many places in our lives, but few more visible than in our pocketbooks and possessions.
It’s here that what we really believe about God, His love, and ability and willingness to provide for us, become evident. Where we choose to live, the type of car we drive, trying to keep up with the Joneses, panic when we experience a financial problem, anger when we have to give up a treasured possession, and how we spend, save, give, and tithe are all reflections of our beliefs about God’s love for us and His ability and desire to care for our needs.
Ever since sin entered the world, we have been trying to recapture our need to be totally loved and secure. One way we try to do this is through our pocketbook and possessions. But security and love are two things that no amount of cash or stuff can give us. Matthew 13:22 says that wealth is “deceitful.” When something is deceitful, it promises to give you one thing, but delivers something else. This is why lusting after money or possessions never satisfies. They only torment the one who lusts after them.
“The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
We know our pocketbook or possessions have become idols we are chasing to get security or love when we:
So why do we have pocketbooks and possessions? They are to provide for our needs, then carry out God’s will. Through them, we are to glorify Christ. Both are tools that can be greatly used to expand His Kingdom when placed in the right hands. But both become idols when we use them to try to get love and security, when we can only get both from the God who made us.
Prayer
Lord, I praise you that You alone are the sole source of security and love. Forgive me for those times when I have searched anywhere else.Application
Demonstrate that God owns your money and possessions and that love and security come from Him by asking Him how He wants you to use both this week for His glory. Then do what He asks.Related Reading
1 Timothy 6:17-19; Mark 4:19; Proverbs 11:28; Proverbs 11:4;Post/Tweet today
Lasting security and authentic love are two things that no amount of cash or stuff can give us. #WisdomHunters #UseMoneytoGlorifyHimWorship Resource
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