ICS Daily Devotions
Entitled or Humble?
1 Timothy 6:11-12,17(NKJV) But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…… Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in UNCERTAIN RICHES BUT in the LIVING GOD, who gives us RICHLY all things to enjoy. (emphasis added)
The Apostle Paul gave this big contrast in having our trust in uncertain riches that is lifeless as compared with having faith in the LIVING GOD.
“What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve; what matters is the person you become.” (Dallas Willard quoted in Soul-Keeping by John Ortberg)
Have we become high-minded and arrogant with a sense of entitlement to be served after we have made lots of money?
Have we been condescending with our words and actions towards our spouse or others when we feel that we have accomplished a lot in life?
Do we drag the poor off to court ensuring that they will never win in the proceedings?
Do we feel that we are not able to fellowship or mingle with the less fortunate because we are of a different class?
Do we demand that we are treated differently in church because we think that we are better?
Do we allow our children to play with other children who come from a different class in society?
When we are rich, arrogant and high-minded, then nobody will be able to speak into our lives. What have we become when we have achieved “all” in life?
If we are consciously aware and also acknowledge that God is the source of our provisions, then it will keep us humble. We should also pursue godliness, righteousness, love, patience, gentleness and allow God to mold our characters. He will prune us like He prunes the grapevines. This is the balance that we need to have as believers.
ICS has a relatively sizable Kids Church. How does godliness look like when we are wealthy and have kids who come to church with us? We should not have an entitled attitude but instead be filled with love, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. We should come to church 15 minutes before the service begins so that we will not be in a rush. We should be kind to the people serving us at Kids Church who may take some time to register the kids to ensure their safety. We should also register ourselves as one of the helpers or teachers in the Kids Church.
Since we still have the flesh to deal with till we are in heaven, there will be a constant fight of faith when we choose to walk in the Spirit. The good fight of faith is denying ourselves or putting our trust in what we can see or are experiencing, and picking up the cross and following Christ. It is a constant decision to TRUST OR HAVE FAITH in the LIVING GOD instead of trusting in uncertain riches or having money as a god in our lives.
Sermon Series- Balancing Godliness and Riches
