Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 28:21-24
Prov 28:21-24
21 To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. 22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him. 23 Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. 24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.
Matt 6:19-21, 24
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. No one 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.
When a crime has been committed, one of the methods of solving it is often to “follow the money”. When an idea is suggested, one of the first questions that is asked by so many is “how much does it cost?”. I have known several people who go out to eat and look at the price side of the menu to decide what to get instead of looking at what they are getting. Money tends to dictate much of our lives.
While being a good steward means that we consider the cost of things in relation to the value being received, as well as what we can reasonably afford to spend, it should not control our entire thinking. We are to work so that we can enjoy what God has given to us as a blessing. We are to use it to help others. We are taught not to spend what we don’t have or to be lazy or freeloaders.
So, when is being frugal actually being stingy? When is being a wise manager being greedy? Is it being greedy to want to work hard and have more? The answer to this question can only be determined in our hearts. Generally, this is between God and the person involved and it cannot be decided by looking on from the outside. Am I willing to share? If my ultimate goal is to use all I have to the glory of God, then that is not greed. But what becomes difficult is being honest with ourselves about our love for material things vs. honoring God.
O Lord God, search my heart and open my eyes so that I can see myself as you see me. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be and help me learn from each mistake that I make and to use it to make me more like Jesus. Help me to have a heart like David of old, one that is like yours. Give me wisdom to manage what you have put into my care, but to always be willing to use it to your glory by helping those who are in need. Keep me from being selfish or greedy. Thank you for loving me and taking care of me. Increase my faith. In Jesus’ name.
Robert
