Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. — 1 Timothy 6:17–19 MSG
When asked to write one of these devotionals, the writers for that week receive the topic several days in advance, and then we are simply are asked to respond, “got it,” to confirm we can write for our assigned day. Occasionally, things come up that will prevent a writer from being able to write that week. If I am being honest, I would have given anything for this to have been one of those weeks. I have never been excited about writing about money, wealth, and other associated topics. That area is super personal, and few people seem to be comfortable discussing it.
This subject is challenging for me because it is such a blatant area of my life where I feel like I fail. I just starting to understand why even attempting to share on this topic makes me nervous. It may be because there have been many times in my life where I held on to my provision and blessing more than the infinite Provider and the One who bestows endless blessings. Focusing on God, my ever faithful Father, seems to always bring me back to center.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
— Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Thomas Chisholm
I know God alone is my hope and my Savior. Yet, if I am not grounded in who God is and the truth of his word, I can find myself with a jilted perspective. I have to be focused and driven to chase after God himself and not just be satisfied to seek the things of God, the blessings of God, or even the provision of God. God is more than enough. He is faithful. He provides. God is my comfort and peace. He is eternal. God is all I will ever need.
I remember this chorus from years ago. As it plays over in my head, it begins penetrating through my heart. Even the things of God do not compare with God and God alone. There is no substitute for him, and nothing I want, nothing think I need or could ever desire will ever come close to my Savior. More than anything in or of this world, I want to be overflowing with my God!
Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.
— More Precious Than Silver, Lynn DeShazo
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
— Psalm 63:1 MSG