GOD’S WORD FOR  MARCH 31

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

A GODLY PORTFOLIO

Exodus 18:21

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

D.L. MOODY

Isn’t it extraordinary that Jethro, the man of the desert, should have given this advice to Moses?   How did he learn to beware of covetousness?  We honor men today if they are wealthy and covetous (greedy).  We elect them to office in church and state.  We often say they will make better treasurers because we know them to be greedy.  But in God’s sight, a greedy man is as vile and black as any thief or drunkard.  David said:  “The wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and blesses the greedy, whom the Lord abhors.” (Psalm 10:3).  I am afraid that many who profess to have put away wickedness also speak well of the greedy.

ERWIN LUTZER

Our wealth is God’s, and we are managers.  God cares about what you do with what He owns.  As for covetousness, the Lord does abhor it.  Money should be transmuted into profitable and safe eternal investments.

Our temptation is to think we can have two masters:  God and money.  But let us listen carefully to Jesus, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much ….You cannot serve God and money.”  (Luke 16:10-13).

Picture the California Gold rush.  People sacrificed their families and their children.  They took incredible risks with their lives – all to get the gold.  Yet we read this about the promises of God, “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold.”  (Psalm 19:10).  Without God’s perspective on money, we will switch the price tag:  we will put great value on cheap goods and neglect that which is eternal.

PRAYER

Father, please help me to invest in Your eternal rewards and not the things of this world.

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Hebrews 13:5

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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Luke 12:15

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

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1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

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BUT ——–

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

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1 Timothy 6:9-10

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

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Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

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Matthew 6:19-21

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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