Passage of the Day: 1st Timothy 6: 6 – 8 … 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
My Journal for Today: I think you would agree, if you are using this devotional to get closer to God’s will and His way, that our culture and our world promotes greed and selfishness and the desire for money and things. Hence in his devotionals for this month, John MacArthur, from Strength for Today posits eight principles from Scripture concerning money/wealth which we, as Christians, must believe and live. These principles, with their biblical support, are listed below. If you’re reading/studying here, I will expect that you will meditate on each scripture that is listed for each principle. …
1. Having money is not wrong. [1st Samuel 2: 7]
2. Money and possessions are from God’s providence. [Deuteronomy 8: 10 – 18]
3. If it is God’s will, we must be willing to part with our material wealth. [Job 1: 21]
4. Material wealth is not to be coveted or favored. [James 2: 1 – 10]
5. The pursuit of wealth should never be our top priority. [Matthew 6: 33]
6. Our money should be used for eternal purposes. [Luke 16: 9]
7. We will never find security in the pursuit/acquisition of wealth. [Proverbs 11: 28]
8. We must never hoard or foolishly spend God’s providence. [Proverbs 11: 24-25]
Serious application of these biblical principles, when it comes to the use of God’s providence and material wealth will honor God; and as Matt. 6: 33 (hopefully a memorized verse with you) clearly states, application of these Godly principles concerning His providence will put God and His kingdom first rather than our own selfish desires. So these principles above become the only wise use of God-given providence/wealth (see also Luke 6: 38).
As we read above, money, in and of itself, is not evil. It only becomes evil when it becomes a tool of evil thinking or evil doing. As we’ve seen in Prov. 23: 7 (from NKJV) , “… as a man thinks in his heart , so is he.” So, as we meditate on the principles above from God’s word, we need to ask ourselves, “What have I become in my use of God’s providence?” When we answer that question in tune with these eight biblical principles, prayerfully we will be living out Matt. 6: 33 in our lives.
My Prayer Today: Lord, may I use Your providence to honor You. Amen
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