Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 73:1-11
Ps 73:1-11
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
1 Tim 6:8-10
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 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.
Paul did not say it is wrong to be wealthy but wealth does not equate with being accepted by the Lord. Some of the greatest heroes of faith were people with great wealth. Even Saul of Tarsus probably came from a wealthy and influential family since he was a freeborn citizen of Rome and went to school under Gamaliel. But he did not have wealth as his goal nor did he put his trust in material things.
I heard about a man who preached a lesson on not putting our trust in riches and things. One listener said it would have come better if the man had not been wearing a custom-tailored suit, expensive shoes and then drove off in a new Mercedes. Yes, he was wealthy, in fact he and his family were filthy rich. But I knew him, his siblings and his parents and they were truly rich in good works. It was common for them to help those in need. They built and paid for several hundred church buildings for small congregations and sent many young people to a Christian college, many from other countries. They trusted God not things.
O Lord God, what a blessing you have bestowed on me with all the material things you have given me to enjoy. While measured against many others, I am not rich and yet compared to many more I have been blessed abundantly. Help me never forget that it is not how much I have but how I use it that matters. Keep me from being selfish or greedy but to always be ready and willing to help those who are in need. Be with your people wherever they are and help them be faithful. Be with our nation and our leaders so we can live in peace. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
