Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

The Sin of Trusting in Riches

Where is your trust? Are you seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? The rich man said, "I have sufficient for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink and be merry" (Luke 12:19). Abundance is not sin. The fact that this man built bigger barns was not sin. It is sin if you don't apply all of the other biblical principles. If you are selfish, then it's sin. If you, as a rich man, are not ready to distribute according to 1 Timothy 6, then it is sin. If you do not realize that God was the source, then it is sin. Don't make the abundance or the amount the issue. Make trusting in uncertain riches, and not trusting in God, the sin. But the possession or the plurality of barns is not sin. The sin is the fact that you are not rich toward God. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself" (12:21). We are contrasting selfishness with spiritual wealth, honoring God, worshipping Him and pouring out our lives for the kingdom. We are to enjoy the blessings of God and not be in bondage.

Is it an idol? Is it something that possesses you or is it something you can enjoy? If God gave it to you, then enjoy it. When it's gone, God will give you something else. We need to be free and to not be possessed by our possessions. We need to be able to trust God and be rich toward God, not consumed with all the consumables. Be at rest in the Spirit.

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought..." (12:22). How anxious are you? How much are you caught up about your image or your lack? Consider the ravens. God feeds them. Are you content? Consider the lilies. God clothes them. Are you content? "How much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (12:28) When He comes, will He find faith on the earth? We live in a day when everything around us is telling us we are nothing unless we possess "this." Riches take wings and they fly away. These things come and go. Who are your idols? Where are your treasures? What do you really need to be happy? Beware of covetousness.

Realize the vanity of riches; they take wings and fly away. They're uncertain and cannot satisfy. But God your Father knows that you have need of these. Why would you take thought? Why would you even worry for one moment when you have a Father who loves you and when your riches are in heaven? Many wealthy men are tormented as to how they can retain their riches. Many of us who have worth in our things are so afraid that our things will be destroyed, marred or lost. How free are we to enjoy what God has given us? If God has given it to you, you don't have to protect it. That's how you guard yourself against jealousy with a spouse. If God has given them to you, you don't have to protect them. If God is the source of the relationship, then it's based on love, preference and trust.

Make us rich towards You, Father. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

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