February 3 I Monday

Exodus 31-33

Matthew 22:1-22

“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.”  
—1 Timothy 6:17

The most important aspect of our lives is our relationships and at the forefront is the relationship we have with God. As Christians, we know that God works in us so that He may work through us for the benefit of others. That means we are under His Lordship, as Jesus tells us: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24).

A drive to acquire wealth for personal gain is dangerous because we begin to base our security and dependence on the possessions we have accumulated instead of God. To have accumulated wealth is not wrong, but when material things become our master and not our servant, it can quickly turn deadly and become destructive. The more we accumulate, the more we want, and when material gain begins to rule our lives, God withdraws and we are on our own. That is a frightening thought for a Christian but it is a reality when
things God designed to be our servants become our master. Inevitably, our spiritual and moral lives erode.

Paul makes a direct contrast between trusting in wealth and trusting in God. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, he says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” As we reflect on Paul’s words, we could probably recall someone whose life has been pierced with ruin and grief because of money.

The real success in life is not measured by wealth, but by relationships. No one nearing the end of their days would say, “I wish I’d spent more time earning money.” It is usually, “I wish I’d spent more time with my family.” The pursuit of wealth for personal gain will not only hinder our relationships, but can become the source of painful regret. In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, He tells us, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:31-32).

Our only true and lasting security is found in God alone, and to be content with His daily provision is to be content indeed!

Prayer: Dear Lord, there is no other master I want in my life but You. I am thankful for all You give to me. I ask that You keep me from wanting more than I need.