Open Heavens 5. September 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Good side of Wealth
Open Heavens 5. September 2016: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Good side of Wealth
Topic: The Good side of Wealth [Monday 5, September 2016]
Memorise: The rich ruleth over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender – Proverbs 22:7
Read: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (KJV)
Bible passage below
9 And Jabez was more honourable than
his brethren: and his mother called his
name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel,
saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me
indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that
thine hand might be with me, and that
thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it
may not grieve me! And God granted him
that which he requested.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 22:11-24:10, Psalms 50:1-15
MESSAGE:
Wealth is generally interpreted as the
abundance of goods or money. However,
Biblical reference to wealth is always
within the framework of economic, social,
cultural, spiritual and political settings of
the people. Therefore, terms such as ‘rich’
and ‘poor’ are relative to the context in
which they are used in the Bible. Wealth is
mostly attached to people or nations but
the Bible also mentioned wealthy
individuals such as Abraham, Job, David,
Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, etc. The
New Testament Bible occasionally
mentioned wealthy individuals such as
Joseph of Arimathaea, the rich man in
Luke 16:1, Cornelius in Acts 10, Prisca
and Aquila, etc.
However, positive references to wealth are
few in the Bible; references to personal
wealth almost always carries some
negative implication. Many statements of
Jesus could be viewed as unfair criticisms
of wealth. In Mark 10:23-25, He said it is
extremely difficult for a rich person to
enter the kingdom of God. In Mark 4:19 ,
He said the quest for wealth chokes God’s
Word. Matthew 6:24 and some other
Scriptures says, one cannot serve God
and Mammon. In Luke 21:1-4 , a poor
widow is more generous than rich people.
1 Timothy 6:10 declares that the love of
money is the root of all kinds of evil. To
wrap it up, Luke 6:24 concludes by
saying “woe to you who are rich”.
Revelation 3:17:18 says;
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of
nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of
me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest
be rich; and white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed….”
However, there is a good side to wealth,
having material prosperity or being
wealthy is not a ticket to hell after all. God
has created an abundance of good things
for human enjoyment, but those who have
material wealth should understand the
true nature of earthly riches and
acknowledge God as the source of all
blessings. Hence, riches should be
thankfully received, and Christians must
value Heavenly riches more than earthly
wealth. Those that are wealthy in this
world must be generous to the poor and
ensure that their hearts are not set on
their wealth. Finally, in appreciation to
God for His blessings, they should devote
their riches to God’s service by
sponsoring the gospel and the work of the
ministry.
Prayer Point: Father, please send poverty
far away from me and make me a divine treasurer.
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