“Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Psalm 62:10 NIV
LET’S SETTLE it once and for all. If God can trust you with money, He will bless you financially (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV). But His blessings come with certain conditions, and here are four you need to honor. (1) Don’t try to claim credit. God told the Israelites, “You may say to yourself…‘My hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord…for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…If you ever forget…you will surely be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 8:17-19 NIV). (2) Don’t forget others. The Bible commands “those who are rich in this present world…to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds…generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV). (3) Don’t become arrogant. Jeremiah admonishes us, “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong…of their strength or the rich…of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV). (4) Don’t allow anything to take God’s place., “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’” (Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV). Remember, you don’t own anything—you’re just an administrator of God’s estate and an executor of His will. It’s an awesome responsibility, so make sure you do a good job.
Soul Food Reading: Rom 1:1 – 3:20, Luke 4:31-44, Ps 89:38-52, Pro 3:1-2
