This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 5: “Let Grace Lead Your Finances!” (WATCH HERE)
Death is a sobering reminder of one reality. We will leave everything in this world behind. There is no need for a U-haul behind a hearse at your funeral. People like the ancient Egyptians have tried it as they would bury material wealth with the rulers so it could be used in the afterlife. Unfortunately it was just the fortune of grave robbers. You can’t take it with you.
Yet, we often don’t live that way. Or let me just speak for myself, “I often don’t live that way.” It is easy to focus on stuff, find security in stuff, want to have stuff around, and find our value in stuff. We can look at it, use it, and hold on to it. But we can’t take it with us.
Paul told Timothy: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7).
So if we can’t take it with us, what are we to do with the material blessings we have been given? Paul gives Timothy this encouragement to pass on:
17 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Enjoy material wealth as a blessing from God, but don’t let material wealth supplant your hope in God.
Use material wealth to do good and be generous to others. Let what God has given to you flow freely back to Him and to others.
Use material wealth to invest in Gospel ministry that has eternal blessings, not just temporal pleasure.
Our world has created a challenge for us to keep our hearts valuing the eternal over the temporal. It has promoted financial wealth and all it can buy as what it means to truly live. However, Paul points out to Timothy that if you want to take hold of life that is TRULY life, value the eternal over the temporal.
For when grace leads us to value the eternal over the temporal…
- Our hearts are content.
- Our hope is in God.
- Our wealth is a tool.
- Our joy is in giving
- Our impact is in sharing.
- Our treasure is heaven.
So then it doesn’t matter if we can’t take it with us because what is most valuable, the grace of God, we can.
So let grace lead your finances. Allow the Spirit of God to direct your heart and attitude toward wealth, not the world around us. Grace will lead us to see wealth as a tool, not an idol. It will enable us to be godly, not greedy and value the eternal, not the temporal.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Apply: Take time today to reflect: Am I more focused on the temporal or the eternal? What changes when your focus shifts more to the eternal from the temporal?
Prayer: Lord thank you for providing all the material things I have for my enjoyment. Let the blessing of wealth never become the curse of idolatry. Keep my heart focused on the eternal even as I live in the temporal world. AMEN.