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Today is Wednesday July 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 72-77. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-7
Today's Message: True Prosperity
As Christians we can rejoice in knowing that even though we may be poor we have the riches of heaven waiting for us. While we all need money, if we are not careful, it can turn the most faithful Christian away from God. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” - I Timothy 6:9,10. If there is one thing I have learned over the past twenty-three years of working is that money truly is the root of all evil. I remember my first job, I was a dishwasher, making $3.25 a hour, it was not the best job, but I enjoyed working there and happily accepted that pay check each week. As the years went on, the jobs got more advanced and the wages higher, but the higher the wages, the less I enjoyed the job, I accepted the pay check, but was not really happy, I always wanted it to be bigger. Don't we all? Well, I was never even close to being a millionaire, but I was prosperous for a while and got all the things I wanted. What I did not have was God, so, the more money I got, the more I wanted, the more I wanted, the more money I needed, the more I needed, the more I did to get it. It was a viscous cycle that I am not proud of and so glad God took me out of. We all would like to enjoy prosperity and receive things we can not always afford and we can have them. True prosperity comes from relying on the promises of God that He will always provide for us. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - I Timothy 6:17-19.
The world thinks that money gives them power and while they may be able to buy off the rest of the money hungry people, they can not buy off God. God has all power, He is alive and well and no matter how much money you have all will bow down and be pleading before God. There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ, if you have Jesus then you do not have to worry about money because God will provide for you. “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight....His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” - Psalm 72:11-14,17-19. God will redeem anyone, even the most wealthiest person, as long as they let go of their pride and call on Jesus. He will get all to see that money is not what they need, God is who they need. It is amazing just how blessed one becomes when they put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. I lost everything I had to see that He was who I needed all along. In fact, the more I put my trust in Him, the more prosperous I become. Praise God!
Yes, it can be a bit frustrating to see those who live wickedly prosper, they will be the first to tell you that the do not need God. A series of Psalms attributed to Asaph, David's song leader, we written regarding his frustration. He wondered why the wicked were not plagued with sufferings that the child of God had to endure. “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men....They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.” - Psalm 73:3-5,8-12. You see how we are no different from those who were around centuries ago? They dealt with the same issues and had the same questions as we do. While it may look as though those who are ungodly have everything and do not suffer the do suffer. The wicked might think they prosper or are in control, but the reality of it is, they are just puppets on a string, controlled by the money. They have to buy people to hang out with them, they have no life other than making money, they buy their and everyone elses love. If they lost everything in an instant, they would have no one. Praise God that we have Jesus, when we lose everything, we still have Jesus and always have true friends and loved ones who are there for us.
The psalmist gained a true perspective of life's problems when he realized God was always with Him. When all other resources fail and we discover that God, and God alone, is adequate to satisfy our every need. We draw near to Him and His presence will banish all our darkness and brighten and beautify our lives with His Light, endless love, and loyalty. “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah....I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.” - Psalm 77:1-3,11-14. The disciple who accepts the course of life's events as being under the control of God will trust Him and thank Him in humble prayer for the needed grace and countless blessings of God. He will have taken the first step in the path that leads to daily fellowship with the Lord and a wholehearted surrender to live entirely for Christ. Then he will see just how prosperous life truly is, whether he has $1 or $1,000,000. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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