Stay Rich Forever

Get rich quick schemes are so popular in today’s society. Multi-level companies, the lottery, identity theft, scams and even welfare, all rob people from the motivation to work. These people end up in more poverty than they would if they worked for a living and received a steady paycheck (Proverbs 27:24; 28:22). The cares of the world, the lust of the heart, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word of God from the life of those who pursue worldly gains (Mark 4:19). Get rich quick, surrender your life to God's will.

It is very hard for a wealthy person to depend on God. Their wealth is a stumbling block, because many of them rely on their human efforts to gain an advantage in this world (Proverbs 28:11; Matthew 19:24). Those who possess worldly riches already received their reward (Luke 6:24). Some rich people even gain their wealth by the sweat of another man’s labors and some even defraud these hard workers of their due. However, these shysters will reap the destitution they impose on others (Jeremiah 17:11; 22:13-19; Proverbs 21:6).

Riches have a way of flying away on wings (Proverbs 23:5). Often the rich find themselves devoid of anything of value, and the poor obtain more lasting riches by far (Proverbs 13:7). When we die, we take nothing with us; and those who trust in material riches gain no eternal value to cherish forever (Psalm 49:16-17). The happiest people on earth are those who have neither riches nor poverty, but receive their needs from the Lord (Proverbs 16:8; 30:8). When we live in the fear of the Lord, we are wealthier than all of the kings of the earth (Proverbs 15:6).

Only the Lord can multiply our wealth, so that it will endure throughout eternity (Deuteronomy 28:1-68). When we buy our gold from the Lord, it is already tested by fire and makes us perpetually rich (Revelation 3:18). In fact, when we give to the poor, we are actually giving to God and storing up treasure for our self in heaven (Proverbs 19:17; Luke 18:22-26). God wants to supply all of our needs. First, we simply seek God and His will for our life, and then He will give us what He wants us to have (Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33).

The blessing of the Lord makes us rich indeed, and we have none of the stress and sorrow that accompanies worldly wealth (Proverbs 10:22). When we give to others, God uses that same measure to give back to us (Luke 6:38). Therefore, when we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6). God never forgets what we do in love for one another (Hebrews 6:10). God loves a hand that gives with an open palm instead of those with a hard heart and a tightly closed fist (Deuteronomy 15:7-8; 28:47-48).

Prayer:

Father God, remind us not to trust in riches, because they may be here today, but gone tomorrow (Proverbs 11:28; Zephaniah 1:18). Riches even have a way of causing a person to forget You, and to curse You when they end up in ruin (Proverbs 30:9). We know that in the end of the age, silver and gold will be worthless, people will go hungry and their soul will be bankrupt (Ezekiel 7:19; Jeremiah 48:36; Ecclesiastes 5:14). Give us the humility of the poor rather than the self-centeredness, which often comes with riches (Proverbs 18:23). Your Word reminds us that it is better to live in a loving home than a rich one (Proverbs 15:16-17).

Thought for the Day:
Beware of covetousness: for a man’s life does not consist of the possessions He attains. – Luke 16:14; Ecclesiastes 5:1

When God is Silent

Read: Proverbs 3:5-6

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” - James 1:12

So many times I hear people say that God does not speak to them, or that God stopped speaking to them (Psalm 27:9, 28:1, 69:17, 102:2, 143:7). Sometimes, this is due to the fact that we do all of the talking when we pray. We often fail to take time to listen or we have sin in our heart that blocks us from hearing Him (Psalms 66:17-20). In the quiet times, God is telling us to wait, to trust, and to rest in His love (Psalm 34:17; Ephesians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 9:8). He may not be talking, but He is always listening.

Usually, as I sit quietly in His presence, He shares with me needed information to enable me to serve Him during my day, or in the coming weeks. He gives me the wisdom I need or counsel on an issue in my life. When I notice a bend up ahead in the river of life, and I allow anxiety over the unseen possibilities around that bend to disturb my peace, He calms my fears (Isaiah 26:3, 41:10). At other times, I embrace the silence and just enjoy the scenery along the river, while I soak up the goodness of His presence in my life no matter what lies ahead (Psalm 27:13).

God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). As we feel fear rise in our soul during some daunting experience, we can realize that God still abides in our heart (Isaiah 3:17). He will walk with us through this trial or temptation and remain with us when we come through it (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Even while God is silent, He is still pouring His love over us like a waterfall. He is also building up our spirit, because He knows we will need all of our spiritual strength around the next bend in the river of life (Romans 5: 2-5).

In fact, if we trust Him enough, we will eventually relax and actually begin to enjoy the ride! When we feel overwhelmed by life’s issues, spending time alone with God is the perfect place to find rest for our weary souls (Jeremiah 31:25; Matthew 11:28). God is still God regardless of what is happening in our life (Deuteronomy 32:4). God promises to deliver us out of our troubles, if we will glorify Him (Psalm 50:15). We can always find the joy that God plants in every situation we encounter. It is all a matter of our focus.

Even the death of a loved one, ill health, a bad marriage, stress at work or at home, or any other negative event always has a positive side. We will find that place of contentment if we change our focus about the issue and our attitude to one of praise (Isaiah 25:4; Psalms 42:5). Every dark cloud has a silver lining and God is eager to reveal it to us (Hebrews 6:19-20). Rather than allow the cares of the world to weigh us down and to give us a negative attitude, our faith and trust in God will carry us safely through one bend in the river after another (Psalms 146:5-6).

                 
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when everything goes wrong, walls block us on every side and hope is quickly dwindling away, we feel like throwing up our hands and giving up. That is exactly what You are waiting for, however. You want us to completely surrender everything to You, to walk in Your Spirit every moment of the Day and to learn to be content in every situation in which we find our self. Remind us to be still and to remember that You are God (Psalm 46:10; Deuteronomy 33:12). Allow Your joy to see us through every circumstance we encounter,  and cause us to serve as an encouragement to others in our life. This way we are a blessing wherever we go.

Thought for the Day:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:15