Topic: True Riches [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 22 July 2021
Click HERE for Previous Above Only
Above Only Devotional
Thursday, July 22, 2021
True Riches
Luke 16:11-13 (AMPC)
…if you have not been faithful in the…unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? No servant is able to serve two masters…either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).
The Laodicean church lacked God’s perspective of life and material things. They were lukewarm because they thought they were rich and lack nothing when in reality they were wretched. Jesus told them to buy pure gold from Him in order to be rich (Rev.3:17-18). True riches come from God and God’s definition of being rich far exceeds having material things. In ending the parable of the rich fool, Jesus said, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God’s sight” (Luke 12:21, GNB).
Child of God, God wants us to have and enjoy material things. However, He does not want us to scheme and engage in illegal activity to acquire them. Any kind of wealth gained by dishonest means does not amount to true riches and it is not from God. Anyone who engages in illegal activity in order to secure material things makes himself or herself a slave to those material things. They have been manipulated by the deceitfulness of riches, which the Bible notes chokes out the life of God’s word and cause people to become unfruitful (Matt.13:2).
The Bible says, “Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others. In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life” (1Tim.6:17-19, GNB). Archbishop Benson Idahosa, use to say, “If you are rich you must reach others.” God does not give us riches just for our enjoyment. He gives us riches to fulfil purpose – to do good works.
Prayer Focus:
Tell God that you desire to be rich in good works. Thank him for the grace He has given you to use your resources to fulfil purpose.
Bible in One Year Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10, Romans 7:14-8:8, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 19:24-25