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Friday, October 7, 2005
"Uncertain Riches"
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17).
Last night I attended a continuing education class at Lancaster Bible College on "Christianity in the Workplace". Among the topics we discussed was the tremendous uncertainty regarding the economic future.
Among the frequently used phrases we hear so often today is "financial security". Millions aspire to this financial security; being set for life. Although planning for our temporal future is prudent, most give very little attention to their eternal future.
But God will not be mocked and the Bible continues to speak. Let us consider today the words of the apostle Paul, writing from prison, facing death for his politically incorrect views.
Let us reflect on the daily Scripture passage. I want it to inform my life. Like most of you I am relatively rich compared to many others my age. I'm certainly not as rich as Bill Gates or even as many of my peers, but I'm far richer than the vast majority of 50 year old males alive in the world today.
The adjective "present" that precedes world is not accidental. It reminds us of the very temporariness of life in this world, in contrast with the eternal life referred to in verse 19.
But notice especially the phrase "wealth, which is so uncertain" (the KJV translates this "uncertain riches"). Today's generation desperately needs to hear this. It's still true and always will be. Nevertheless most focus their life on bigger homes, cars, bank accounts and retirement savings. But ultimately there is no "financial security." Jesus spoke of a man who thought he had it when he kept building bigger barns, but God called him a fool (Luke 12:16ff).
Let's hear God's perspective as Paul tells us to put our hope in God. That's what I want to do this morning and I encourage all of you to do so as well. Our ultimate security is in God alone! And let us exclaim with the Psalmist David, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (Psalm 62:5).
Finally let us consider the last phrase in the daily text. How gloriously true and may it fill your heart with joy this day. It is a truth relevant to any reading this regardless of how much or how little of this world's riches you may have. The source of the truly abundant life is "God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Amen.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's Prayer – Help me not to strive for worldly riches that would cause me to place my hope in wealth that is only temporal. I know that money cannot buy love, joy, peace, forgiveness or security. The accumulation of wealth does not make me a person of integrity. I cannot expect my riches to fulfill my greatest need since money cannot deal with matters of the heart. But You do. You search my heart and You richly provide for every one of my physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
As I consider today's topic this song came to mind. It's titled "All For Jesus". Perhaps you have sang it in your churches. Listen to it carefully and may it really be the cry of your heart. If you are able, play this song as a prayer expressing your heart. This song is on the extensive list of live worship songs recorded by a Canadian church during their worship services. May God richly bless this church for sharing their ministry!
As I studied here's another verse that I came across that speaks to today's topic: "For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope" (1 Chronicles 29:15). (Of course there is no hope apart from God!)
Here is a book I recommend for those who would like to explore today's topic in greater detail:
Friday, October 7, 2005
"Uncertain Riches"
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17).
Last night I attended a continuing education class at Lancaster Bible College on "Christianity in the Workplace". Among the topics we discussed was the tremendous uncertainty regarding the economic future.
Among the frequently used phrases we hear so often today is "financial security". Millions aspire to this financial security; being set for life. Although planning for our temporal future is prudent, most give very little attention to their eternal future.
But God will not be mocked and the Bible continues to speak. Let us consider today the words of the apostle Paul, writing from prison, facing death for his politically incorrect views.
Let us reflect on the daily Scripture passage. I want it to inform my life. Like most of you I am relatively rich compared to many others my age. I'm certainly not as rich as Bill Gates or even as many of my peers, but I'm far richer than the vast majority of 50 year old males alive in the world today.
The adjective "present" that precedes world is not accidental. It reminds us of the very temporariness of life in this world, in contrast with the eternal life referred to in verse 19.
But notice especially the phrase "wealth, which is so uncertain" (the KJV translates this "uncertain riches"). Today's generation desperately needs to hear this. It's still true and always will be. Nevertheless most focus their life on bigger homes, cars, bank accounts and retirement savings. But ultimately there is no "financial security." Jesus spoke of a man who thought he had it when he kept building bigger barns, but God called him a fool (Luke 12:16ff).
Let's hear God's perspective as Paul tells us to put our hope in God. That's what I want to do this morning and I encourage all of you to do so as well. Our ultimate security is in God alone! And let us exclaim with the Psalmist David, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (Psalm 62:5).
Finally let us consider the last phrase in the daily text. How gloriously true and may it fill your heart with joy this day. It is a truth relevant to any reading this regardless of how much or how little of this world's riches you may have. The source of the truly abundant life is "God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Amen.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen C. Weber
Brooksyne's Prayer – Help me not to strive for worldly riches that would cause me to place my hope in wealth that is only temporal. I know that money cannot buy love, joy, peace, forgiveness or security. The accumulation of wealth does not make me a person of integrity. I cannot expect my riches to fulfill my greatest need since money cannot deal with matters of the heart. But You do. You search my heart and You richly provide for every one of my physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
As I consider today's topic this song came to mind. It's titled "All For Jesus". Perhaps you have sang it in your churches. Listen to it carefully and may it really be the cry of your heart. If you are able, play this song as a prayer expressing your heart. This song is on the extensive list of live worship songs recorded by a Canadian church during their worship services. May God richly bless this church for sharing their ministry!
As I studied here's another verse that I came across that speaks to today's topic: "For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope" (1 Chronicles 29:15). (Of course there is no hope apart from God!)
Here is a book I recommend for those who would like to explore today's topic in greater detail:
 |
Rich in Every Way: Everything God Says About Money and Possessions By Gene Getz / Howard Publishing Co Our relationship to our
possessions topics are more timely for today's blessed Christians . . .
or more neglected. Yet author Gene Getz tells readers that the Bible
says more about the things we own than any other subject except the
Godhead. His thorough exploration of biblical history reveals
overarching "supraprinciples" of ownership that apply to all people
everywhere, then and now. Getz shows how Christians can resist the
deadly tendency towards selfishness inherent in today's culture and how
to use their possessions as effective tools for witness and spiritual
growth. Avoiding both the extreme of "selling all and giving to the
poor" and the greed-centered "prosperity gospel," he explains the biblical
attitude toward possessions: a releasing of "this is mine" view of our
possessions and allowing God's gifts to flow through our hands to meet
human needs, demonstrating His love to an unbelieving world.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
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