GOD’S WORD FOR  APRIL 21

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 MOST ATTRACTIVE SNARE

1 Timothy 6:9

“but those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into any senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

D.L. MOODY

Think of Balaam.  He is generally regarded as a false prophet, but I don’t find that any of his prophecies that are recorded are not true;  they have been literally fulfilled.  He stepped over a heavenly crown for the riches and honors that Balak promised him.  He went to perdition backward.  His face was set toward God, but he backed into hell.  He wanted to die the death of the righteous, but he didn’t live the life of the righteous.  It is sad to see so many who know God miss everything for riches.

ERWIN LUTZER

We are raising a generation that feeds on greed;  a generation driven by consumerism.  Greed is a feeling of possessiveness, a feeling of entitlement that says, “This life is the only one that matters:  I will put money above worship, and possessions above heavenly rewards.”  Jesus said, “No servant can serve two  masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.”  (Luke 16:13).

Money makes the same promises as God:  “I will be with you in good times and bad:  In sickness and in health;  when the economy is strong and when it tanks.”  This deception is the reason why the New Testament warns against riches because with wealth comes temptation.  We tell ourselves that we really don’t LOVE money;  we just think about it continuously and do all we can to get more of it. 

As Moody reminds us, Balaam was willing to sacrifice his eternal future for temporal wealth.
Let us be warned:  The pursuit of money can easily dwarf our worship of God. It may make the same promises as God, but it cannot keep those promises.

PRAYER

Father, show me what we cannot see on my own;  please help me to repent of substituting the love of  money with love for You.

*** ***

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.”

** *

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.”

** *

1 John 2:16

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.

** *

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.

** *

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.

** *

Matthew 6:33

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

***

1 Timothy 6:17-19

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

** *

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.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord