OUR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE ARE SHOWN BY OUR LEVEL OF TRUST IN THE LORD

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where moth and rust do not destroy, 
and where thieves do not break in and steal.”  
(Matthew 6:20)

MEDITATION:
Too many people are building their lives on the rock of materialism. 
There seems to be a deep economic discontent
among people in every walk of life. 
People want more and more, and fail to appreciate that we are 
enjoying the highest standard of living the world has ever known. 

We still have poverty, and hundreds of agencies are trying to do 
something about it; but many are still dissatisfied with their social status. 
We want more and are willing to sacrifice much, 
in order to increase our finances so we can get more.

Some are working themselves to death in order to live better.
And sadly, it is causing them to miss out on the really important things.
Too often our desires are driven by our peers 
as we look horizontally with envy, instead of vertically 
with joy and appreciation for being blessed by the Lord.

Look at what Jesus said to His disciples:
“Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes 
that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted 
to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not 
hear it.” (Luke 10:23-24)

Jesus tells us we cannot share our time and efforts 
between praising God and chasing the things of the world.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and 
love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the 
other. You cannot serve both God and money.”(Luke 16:13)

God wants our all and when we are spending valuable time 
trying to sustain and strengthen our portfolio, 
our faith, trust and appreciation for the Lord’s provisions is damaged.
Creating financial stability is a good thing until it steals time away from 
the Lord and adversely affects our relationship and fellowship with Him.

Jesus wants His followers to know that a man’s life and happiness 
does not consist in the abundance of the things that he possesses. 
In a study of power, Adolf Berle 
(an important member of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's "Brain Trust")
discovered that riches often make people solitary, lonely and, of course, afraid.

ACTION:
Riches can cause a person to experience loneliness and fear, 
because when he makes wealth his god, it leaves him empty. 
Exclusion of God in one’s life 
results in a loss of the zest, purpose, and meaning of life.

Has money replaced your trust in the Lord to provide?
How has God’s Words in Malachi impacted your life and obedience?
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, 
‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under 
a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the 
whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 
Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw 
open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there 
will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:8-10)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You are the One who brings richness and joy 
into my life and soul. Forgive me for allowing other things to steal 
away my time with You. Thank You for how You richly bless us 
when we exercise our faith and obedience by trusting You to provide 
for our needs. Help me in my efforts to store up my treasures in 
heaven.”

Devotional Addendum:
God reminded me this morning 
that He is the author of the devotionals I distribute.
I had my own "spin" that I started to include in today's 
devotional, until it seemed He was telling me, 
"No, those are your thoughts, you let Me speak to the people".
Enjoy what He has to say to you today.

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