HOW ADDICTED ARE YOU TO GOD'S KINGDOM? (PART 2)
TEXT:
"But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. ..." (Matthew 6 verse 33, Contemporary English Version).
The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 verses 16 to 21 underscores the need for us to be rich toward God and not to lay up treasure for oneself on earth. The rich fool neglected to "more than anything else, put God's work first". For this mistake, God called him a fool. How could he have neglected God who gave him life, ability, strength, etc, to achieve all his feats? How ungrateful he was to not recognize God by way of thanksgiving! His foolishness made him focus on consuming his harvest on himself only. Sadly, this is the bane of many people today, even so many Christians.
Let's come to think of it. Why on earth did God put wealth in the hands of Israel, even as it was obvious that they were on their way through the wilderness to the promised land? (see Exodus 3 verse 22 and Exodus 11 verse 2 ). The primary reason was for them to build Him a tabernacle or sanctuary of worship as directed in Exodus 25 to Exodus 27. In Exodus 25 verses 1 to 2 and verse 8, the Bible says,
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. ... And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."
Let's understand that in their journey to the promised land, Israel didn't have the need for gold, silver, brass, diverse clothing, etc other than for building the Lord a sanctuary. What's more, the Lord ensured that He provided adequately to meet the needs of His people as they journeyed through the wilderness. For instance, He gave them Manna for bread, and Quails for meat (see Exodus 16 verses 11 to 15). Also, they had no need for bodily necessities like shoes or clothes, etc because the Lord made sure, for instance, that their shoes and clothes grew on them miraculously (Deuteronomy 29 verse 5).
The lesson to learn here is that we should start seeing our wealth as primarily given to us to serve God with. This was the problem with the rich ruler in Luke 18 verses 18 to 23. Having demanded to know how he could inherit eternal life. Jesus' instructions to him was, "sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." The Bible says that "when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich."
To the heavenly minded, Jesus' instructions to us are as follows:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6 verses 19 to 21).
One day we are all passing out of this earth. Be smart enough to begin to make provisions for your eternity. Have you ever thought about where you are going after death?
Learn to be thoughtful concerning the advancement of God's Kingdom on earth. Begin to serve Him with your wealth. Like the rich fool in Luke 12 verses 16 to 21, stop stockpiling just for yourself and laying up treasure for yourself on earth. Rather, begin to lay up treasure for yourself in heaven where you are going. Remember the poor, the widows, the fatherless, the motherless, missionaries, pastors; begin to give to advance God's work in the Church, etc. For anyone reading this devotional who is not rich toward God, today's message is for you to have a change of mind in order not to be called a fool in the end.
PRAYER:
Father, from today I yield my all to serve You, in Jesus name.