HALLEUYAH! HALLELUYAH!! HALLELUYAH!!!
RELEASE DATE: August 29, 2022
WEEK 28: (August 29 – September 4, 2022)
WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS:
Luke 12: 15 – 20 (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of [a]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
It is futile to pursue material wealth. For many people living in the world today, life is nothing more than the pursuit of material wealth. It has gotten to the point that people acquire material things illegally and through means that do not give glory to God. Society celebrates opulence and the sheer display of wealth; the rich are recognized and well respected while the poor are treated with disdain. Little wonder get-rich-quick syndrome is prevalent among young people and even the old. But is this what the scripture teaches?
Against this pursuit, the Bible has much to say. E.g. Psalm 37:16 – “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Proverbs 15:16 – “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” These verses of Scripture give us the much-needed warning not to make material wealth our main pursuit in life because a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. But then comes the question: What does a man’s life consist of? What is life really for?
In the scripture above, Jesus Christ gave the parable of the man that feels he has ‘arrived’ and thinks he has acquired so much more for himself. His main focus is on his possession and how to store them up for personal gains and gratification. But Jesus gave his reward immediately. Though our Lord did not come into our world as an earthly judge, adjusting differences between man and man; He lays down great principles, obedience to which will bring heaven into human lives. One of the greatest of these is reiterated in Luke 12:15. Covetousness is as much temptation of the poor man who is wronged as of his rich oppressor; and love for money will inevitably, in poor and rich, becloud the vision and disturb the inner peace. The worth of a man cannot be computed by the amount that stands to his credit. Not what you have but what you are! That is your value in the eyes of God. Some men live to get; see to it that you live to be.
It is absurd to suppose that the soul can take its ease, just because its barns are bursting with goods. Goods are not good! Merriment cannot come to a heart that is smitten by remorse and shadowed by our evil conscience! Besides, we cannot take with us our possessions when we cross the river on the last day. We can only take our character-our things to pass into other hands. What then should you use your goods for? We are meant to give to the poor, widow, and fatherless. There is a great reward in doing this.
Beloved, this is a reminder to be a cheerful giver and stop accumulating wealth at the expense of others. Remember, as the preacher said, all is vanity; when you leave this earth, none will go with you. Use your wealth for good!
PRAYER
Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael. Father, forgive us of all iniquities and have mercy on us. Give us the spirit of humility. Renew your strength in us and help us to desist from proud attitudes. We commit everything we have into your able hands, may the devil never steal our heart. Teach us to diligently seek what is good and grant us the spirit of meekness that we may use what you have given to us to better others. This and many more we ask for through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you and God bless. Shalom.
Footnote: “A life without Christ is full of crisis but life in Christ is a great life full of peace. Let that be your Guide & Guard”
Isaiah 59:1 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear”