Take Hold of Eternal Life
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV) 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. Let them do good, that they are rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Christians should have a paradigm shift from the secular worldview of success to the Christian worldview of success. The Christian worldview on success is not solely about money and corporate positions. Rather, it has to do with acknowledging that God is the source of all our blessings. God’s blessings are holistic and include being blessed spiritually and emotionally in our souls, having good interpersonal relationships and physical health. The Christian worldview is rooted in the belief that promotion comes neither from the east nor the west but from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7). In contrast, the secular worldview leaves God out of the equation, and is rooted in the belief that everything comes from on our own merits.
When things go well, it is easy to subconsciously think that we don’t need God. Instead of trusting God for our finances or seeing Him as the source of all our blessings, we trust in our company and corporate positions. However, when something unforeseen happens and we struggle with the faith level that’s needed to see us through financially, it is revealed to us whether we have trusted in God or in uncertain riches.
We should have the same attitude as Abraham. According to Genesis 14:20-23, he refused to take any material goods from the King of Sodom so that the latter could not boast that he had made Abraham rich, because Abraham knew that God was the source of all his blessings due to his covenant relationship with God. Also, Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, a High Priest with similar attributes to Christ. Abraham was not enslaved by money because he was happy that Lot was blessed, and he was willing to part with his resources when he met Melchizedek.
The real test of whether we are held in bondage of fear of not having enough is whether we can act in obedience through tithe and freewill offering. We must practise what Abraham did when he tithed, and gave of his possessions freely because He acknowledged God as the source of His blessings. We can never fully say that we trust in God for our finances until we have no problem tithing and giving freewill offering sacrificially. The act of our love for God is in giving—through serving and our finances when there is a need—in addition to tithing. As you make God the source of your supply, and honour Him with your tithes and offerings, you are storing up for yourselves a good foundation for the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life.
Sermon Series: Freely Received and Freely Give
