Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Bankruptcy of Wealth”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
It was Martin Luther who said, “There are three conversions a person needs to experience: The conversion of the head, the conversion of the heart, and the conversion of the pocketbook.”
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church once said, ‘The last part of a man to be converted is his wallet.’
To believe that everything is the Lord’s…including my finances…To truly seek to understand, “God what do you want me to do with your money?”…To first give back to God 10% of all he allows me to earn…takes a change of heart.
It takes trust.
It takes trust in God.
Our sinful nature loves to hold on to money as a substance whereby we can control our life’s circumstances. We believe that we must provide for ourselves first, lest we not have enough. We find security in having money at our disposal.
All of these challenge our relationship with God.
Satan loves to deceive us to think, “If I have enough money, I will control my life.” The truth is God is in control and can “give and take away” as he determines.
Satan loves us to think that if we give back to God, we won’t have enough for ourselves. The truth is this
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Satan loves to think that having money provides us security in life. The truth is the one who is present and provides help in times of trouble is the Lord.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
So, we either believe and trust the lies of our sinful nature or we believe and trust the truth and promises of our loving, gracious Savior.
Here’s more amazing promises:
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Finances God’s way doesn’t always make sense financially, but it makes sense spiritually. We may not always understand how it works, but we pray that our heart fully trusts the Lord for our salvation AND for our earthly well-being.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Apply: Pray for God’s Spirit to lead your heart to trust and your heart to be content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the wonderful promises you give me by which I can ALWAYS trust in you…even in the area of my finances. Forgive me when my heart doubts. Give me an extra measure of your Spirit to fully and always trust you with the wealth you have given to me. AMEN.