Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 8, 2017
A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:20
Wise wealth sees the small value of riches without God’s redemption. It is otherworldly in its view of wealth. The creation of wealth is for Christ’s purposes and not the world’s ways. This is why the wealthy wise seek to understand God’s game plan for their gold. They prayerfully come up with a plan, and then commit their actions to the Almighty. Then He brings success to their financial plan (Proverbs 16:3).
This is the process in which the Spirit leads and brings about success. Plans without prayer are perturbing and miss God’s best. Actions committed to Christ carry out God’s game plan. To gain understanding is to frame your financial discussions with an eternal backdrop of motivation. Wealth is a stewardship not to be taken lightly. It is a belief that the Lord’s blessing is much larger than life, and is a lever for the Lord today.
Indeed, understand that finances are finite. You have a window of generosity that will close one day. Don’t wait until riches grow wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5) to some faithful soul who understands the significance of “stuff” to your Savior. Riches are like hailstones; they fall from Heaven in different sizes, garnering our attention while rattling on the tin roof of our trust.
But after a while, after it draws attention to itself, it melts away into the silent ground, gone. So it is with “stuff”. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. It is wise to give aggressively what you have today instead of hoping to give what you may not have tomorrow.
Missionaries need malaria medicine now. Orphans need homes today. Growling stomachs need more than gruel immediately. Churches are waiting to be built, once they receive their necessary start-up capital. Humanitarian work and the spreading of the Gospel will happen exponentially, as the wealthy collaborate with Christ, and obey. Run the risk of liberating your wealth for the Lord. It is His to give.
God has made us to be kind, and not beastly, in our view of wealth. Animals are driven by self-preservation and instinct. But we are children of our heavenly Father. He is gracious and generous in bestowing His good gifts (Matthew 7:9-11). He uses wealth for His ways; so, wise are you to do the same. Sanctify your “stuff” for your Savior. Look to the Lord on where and how to save, invest, spend, and give.
Beasts perish with little purpose. You graduate to be with God. At your commencement with Christ, you want to be found financially faithful. The wise use of wealth supports eternal initiatives. Wise wealth does not intimidate, nor is it intimidated. It prayerfully releases riches for God’s Kingdom. It is all about investing in and executing the Almighty’s agenda.
Wise wealth wraps itself around God’s redemptive plan through faith. It understands and applies God’s generous game plan.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust You for wisdom to manage well the resources You have entrusted to me.Application
Where can I systematically increase my generous giving in God’s Kingdom?Related Reading
Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.Post/Tweet today
Riches are like hailstones; they fall from Heaven in different sizes, garnering our attention while rattling on the tin roof of our trust. #wisdomhunters #wisewealthWorship Resource
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