Community News 1/31/18

Day 3 of Wk 2:    Right On The Money Wk. 2

Proverbs 23:4-5; 27:24

In our last devotional, we looked at Proverbs 23:4. Today, I want us to look at the next verse. I will bet you can relate to it. Verse 5 says,

Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Does it ever seem to you that your money has wings? That it just flies off more quickly than you would have ever imagined?!

Money can be very temporary, very transitory in nature. Proverbs 27:24 reinforces that truth when it tells us,

For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.

You need to understand that wealth is temporary just like our time here is temporary. What are the implications for how we live our lives? As believers, it is so important for us to have a pilgrim mindset and realize that we are just passing through.

This world is not our home. This life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. If you begin to think that somehow things are permanent, and you plan as if it is all permanent, you are going to get off course in your life with God.

Moses is a great example of someone who made a choice to live life with the right priorities. You can read about it in Hebrews 11. In that chapter, Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy all the riches of Egypt.

Moses had everything at his fingertips, but he made the right choice. He said, “You know what? There are more important things. My priorities are different than this.” And his lifestyle changed pretty radically in a hurry.

But looking back, it’s obvious that Moses made the right choice, isn’t it? He changed the world and right now he is in heaven enjoying the presence of God.

                                                                                                                                  Adapted From: God’s Perspective On Money - You Version

Community Post 1/30/18

Day 2 of Week 2:    Right on the Money wk2

Proverbs 23:4

First, I want you to notice that this verse does not say don’t work. And it does not say don’t work hard. It says don’t overwork.

There are some people in God’s family who are not led, they are driven. They are so focused on reaching their goals and achieving whatever level of success they are going after, that they are making a lot of sacrifices along the way.

But they are making the wrong sacrifices. They are sacrificing their marriage and they are sacrificing their relationship with their kids. Why? Because they overwork. And, friend, that is not healthy.

In fact, I would say that overworking is as unhealthy as not working. You miss out on the grand things in life, the important things in life. With some people, even their relationship with God gets squeezed out because they overwork.

You need to be motivated; you need to work hard; but you don’t want to overdo it to the point that you don’t have time for your children. You don’t want to work so hard that you don’t have time for your spouse. And you don’t want to so overwork that you don’t have time for your God.

You are missing life if you are just after possessions, and you are sacrificing the more important things along the way.

How does your work life measure up today? Are you overworking at the expense of your marriage, your family, and your relationship with God? If so, determine today to get your life back in balance.

Overworking is overrated!

                                                                                                                Adapted From: God’s Perspective On Money - You Version

Community News 1/29/18

Day 1 of Week 2: Right On The Money Series

Proverbs 15:6

Notice that this verse does not just declare there is treasure in the house of the righteous. It says there is much treasure in the house of the righteous.

You can also find treasure in the house of the wicked, but Solomon says it is laced with trouble. The income of the wicked has a bunch of trouble with it.

But the same is not true for those who are right with God. When the treasure is found in their house, it does not have the same trouble that it does when it is found in the house of the wicked.

If you read on, the Lord shares two things that must accompany this treasure if it is going to be enjoyed. First, you must have a right relationship with God. 

Proverbs 15:16 says, Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.

It is better to have almost nothing and have a right relationship with God than to have everything money can buy and not have a relationship with God. We must get our priorities right.

The second thing we need to have is a right relationship with people, lest the treasure become hollow and become a curse. 

Proverbs 15:17 says, Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.

Some people have more prosperity than they know what to do with, but all of their relationships fail. They do not have love. Consequently, there is a vacuum they can never fill with things, that they can never fill by accumulating more possessions.

Pursue your relationship with God, and a right relationship with people. Then you will enjoy the treasure God gives you!

Adapted From: God’s Perspective On Giving - You Version