“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions… The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops? I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on… And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you…
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:15-22,29-31,33
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
The glitch with getting rich is an eye problem. Wealth can allure by its twinkle and promised power, and suffocate our ability to see its wider purpose. What the world says should be used for us, God entrusts to us to be put to use for Him.
Riches misused lead to hurt, greed, and ruin, while those offered to God bear fruit and result in gratitude and praise. How do we view them? As something we earn and own, or a trust for heavenly use? What motivates our money-making and collecting? Covering necessary expenses, hoarding for security, spending for personal pleasure, giving to others? God owns all things and has given us everything to enjoy. He meets needs, gives delight, and uses His people to build His kingdom and bless His world. What and how are we investing to bless others, and to increase gratitude, praise, and glory to God? (Matthew 6:24; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 9:6-15; 1 Timothy 6:17)
“Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.” ~Charles Wesley (1744)
Lord, have full sway with all I have, for all You’ve given to me.
As the rain and snow 