Thursday, 30th March 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: SET YOUR EYES ON GOD,NOT RICHES
THEME SCRIPTURE: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” - 1 Timothy 6:17
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Why must we set our eyes on God?
- What does it mean to set your eyes on God?
Precious one, there are many cautions Jesus gave to us concerning riches, not because it is bad to be rich. Rather, He wanted us to know the other side of the coin, so that we can handle riches. Similar to going to school without knowing that you will write exams. How you will behave will be different from knowing from day one that you have exams to write, to go to the next level. Riches have a way of breeding greed in man, as well as pride. Pride is present any time focus is shifted from God to ourselves, in any form. For instance, an intolerant person is proud because he has forgotten easily that he is what he is by the grace of God. Therefore, if someone has not attained to his level, he should rather ask God’s grace that brought him this far to also locate his brother.
Pride easily creeps into our lives when money comes into our hands; and in a world where the quest for significance is what drives men, being arrogant in thought, speech and action may come easy.
Jesus spoke a parable concerning a rich man whose farm brought a bumper harvest. His storehouse couldn’t take the harvest. He tore down his storage and built a huge one. When he saw his storehouse filled with more than enough goods, he said to his soul – relax, don’t rush at all. There is a lot in store for you to eat and drink and to make merry (Luke 12:18-19). God was not happy with this rich man (Luke 12:20) because his thinking and words were arrogant. He did not remember God who gave the rains for his crop and the sunlight in its due season.
He did not give glory to God, for it is He who gave him the power, ideas, vehicle, opportunity, etc. to create wealth.
In our theme scripture, Paul instructed Timothy to charge the rich, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God. The reasons Paul gave are that riches are uncertain. Why should one put his confidence and hope on it. Inflation can make nonsense the riches of a man. In the last global financial crunch, investments melted into thin air and material values got lost. The second reason is the more important – it is God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Precious One, when men are in need they easily see the Provider (God). When God provides, they forget the provider and focus on themselves or the provision.
Beloved, never forget this – to eat is human, but to digest is divine (we may say). To have riches may be human for you, but to enjoy it is divine.
So what must we do? Set your eyes on God. How?
Beloved in Christ, never get attached to riches. Scripture says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). To be poor in spirit is to come to that awakening where whatever you have, even the whole world, without Jesus, you are the poorest and hopeless of men. He [Jesus] is your true riches. Further, the poor in spirit does not own what God gives him but rather he is a steward. He therefore applies riches with purpose.
Precious One, be poor in spirit, no matter how deep God brings you into riches. God bless you more.
FURTHER READING – Matthew 27:57-60
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How significant are your riches to God?
- How much is your heart in your riches?
CONFESSION
Precious Father, thank you for your provision for my life all these years. I affirm that a man can receive nothing except it is given to him from above. What I have is from above, and by grace. I receive your wisdom to use your provision to the glory of God.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Numbers 12; Numbers 13; Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9; Luke 22
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