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Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Riches

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ......... Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Here I am sitting in our little caravan in Somerset on the way to Liskeard in Cornwall where I will minister at the weekend. We have just come from Faith Camp in Peterborough where we spent a lovely week meeting old friends and making new ones. Nancy and I feel very blessed.
The Lord has richly blessed us in every way for many years. We are rich. We live by faith, trusting in the Lord to continue to provide all that we need in every situation.
Often we are shocked at the way the world has gone over-the-top with money. The huge amounts of money that get paid to people in bonuses and salaries seem so exaggerated and extreme. In times of a global recession and crippling poverty these sums of money are disproportionate and therefore obscene.
I am sure that those who receive such large sums of money are often generous and philanthropic but I cannot help feel that the world has gone crazy.
I praise God that He has shown us that we have a treasure of far greater value than the world could ever give us. Christians have Christ in us and our salvation is sealed with the precious Holy Spirit. God lives in us, what earthly wealth could compare to that! We are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in all that He has as sons of God. The riches of heaven are our inheritance.
Not only that, but as we share what we have with others, God our Father returns more back to us thus giving us more to share. Hallelujah.
The grace of God has made us rich. We are rich beyond all we could ever ask or imagine and our riches can never spoil or perish. Unlike the wealth of this world that will be lost when we die, the riches of heaven will last forever.
When we invest into the kingdom of God we invest for eternity. Earthly investments have no guarantee and no eternal value. Where are you investing and where is your treasure?
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us the treasures of heaven. Amen

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