James 1:9-11
Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them. But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. That is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You can learn a lot from a three-year-old boy. He could generally care less whether he has on a fancy shirt or a plain shirt – or no shirt at all. He is more amused as much by a rolled up sock being tossed above his head in a game of “keep-away” as he is by an expensive electronic gadget. He prefers a bowl of Cheerios®, dried fruit and chocolate chips to something more “gourmet”… and “swimming” in a bathtub filled with plastic toys is just as fun as going to play in an actual pool.
I know that this will change. In a couple of years, these things will not be as satisfying. We teach our children to consume… and to want more… to desire to be wealthy and famous and aspire to drive fancy cars and live in big houses. All three-year-old boys want is to play and be loved… for someone to pay attention to them. And all we should desire of God is HIS love and attention.
Recently, I accompanied my husband on his daily walk down a nearby trail. In one particular stretch, we wound down a hill into a ravine. This has become one of my favorite places in any season. But this time of year, it is incredibly shady and peaceful. As we passed under the crown-canopy of this tranquil forest, I thought, “If Heaven is anything like this, I’ll be a happy camper. This is quite enough!”
I know the Bible promises that when we get to heaven, we will have a mansion. I believe that the streets are paved with gold and the opulence is more than we can imagine. And I guess all of that will be nice… I mean, I’m certainly not going to turn it down – are you?! But what I really want is to be in the physical presence of Jesus… to sit at His feet and feel His arms wrapped around me… to snuggle into His chest and truly rest there in His love.
The point of this passage is that being rich is not the goal. Wealth and possessions don’t matter. As Christians, we need to become like three-year-old boys… content with the love and attention of our Heavenly Father and unimpressed by frills and distractions. We need to focus on what is truly important. And more often than not, riches and “stuff” get in the way of this.
Regardless of what you have… your current position in life… your aspirations for more… make the central focus of your life your relationship with God. The only way to truly be content – rich or poor – is to operate in the confidence that you are pleasing God in everything. Allow Him to show you what is truly important. Learn to find joy in serving Him well with all that you have. Recognize the blessings of God’s “shady ravine” …and if He gives you more than this, consider it a bonus!
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label riches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label riches. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 22, 2012
Proverbs 23:4-5
Give up trying so hard to get rich. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About five years ago, we built a house overlooking the Little Red River. We enjoy watching an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the bluffs behind our house, and we are sometimes graced with the sighting of bald eagles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband started out for a walk and spotted two eagles flying up the river toward Greers Ferry Dam. He rushed back home to grab a video camera and returned to the point where he had spotted them. Both had landed in a tree, where they were in the process of eating a fish. One left, but the other continued eating… until the horn at the power house blew, signaling the start of the generators and warning fishermen below of quickly rising waters. The eagle abandoned his fish and flew away.
Generally our eagle sightings are quite brief. Sometimes these majestic birds will roost in a tree below our house for a while. But most often, they are flying by one minute… and totally out of sight the next. The analogy in this passage for how quickly money can disappear is a good one!
Please do not misunderstand me. Money is not bad. There is nothing wrong with working hard and aspiring to be successful. Almost all of us desire to have nice things… to live in a comfortable home, drive a good car, and have plenty of food and clothing. We all like to have a new pair of jeans once in a while… or go out for a delicious steak. Nobody wants to worry about how to pay bills, much less where he/she will find the next meal.
But when we define our lives by our level of wealth, we totally miss the mark. God doesn’t care about the balance in our checkbook. He measures the fullness of our heart. The richest person in the world can sit on his duff, hoard his wealth and never serve God or honor Him. The homeless man on the street who shares his cardboard box and a half a sandwich with someone else – or even a stray dog or cat – has served God better. I have observed people on both sides of this equation, and I can tell you with full confidence that those who serve out of their lack are the richest.
Many people are so focused on reaching the next rung in the ladder… making the big deal… or acquiring more “stuff” that they fail to truly experience the life that God desires for them. All of their “acquisitions” and aspirations can be gone in a day… but the real substance of a life in Christ lasts forever. Most likely you fall somewhere in the middle... not filthy rich (materially or monetarily)- but not homeless and on the street, either. But all of us can be incredibly rich in what matters most… the blessings and glory of God…and our efforts to serve Him according to His desires.
The majestic eagles that soar along the river are not concerned with abundance… yet God meets their every need. They may have to abandon a fish mid-meal, but God will provide another. Shouldn’t we take a page from the eagle’s book? Shouldn’t we work diligently to be all that God desires… in our job, our studies, our church ministries...as neighbors, family members and friends… and trust God to bless our efforts? If God cares so deeply for a mere bird, won’t He surely meet our needs, as well?
Where do you need to shift your focus? Where could you pay more attention to serving with the least of what you have than to obtaining more? If you lost all of your money and material possessions tomorrow, would you still be able to serve God? Would you have the knowledge and wisdom… the faith and confidence in His promises… to move forward? Isn’t it time you started filling your heart with the things that matter… and trusting God to handle the rest? Isn't today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Give up trying so hard to get rich. Your money flies away before you know it, just like an eagle suddenly taking off.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
About five years ago, we built a house overlooking the Little Red River. We enjoy watching an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the bluffs behind our house, and we are sometimes graced with the sighting of bald eagles. A couple of weeks ago, my husband started out for a walk and spotted two eagles flying up the river toward Greers Ferry Dam. He rushed back home to grab a video camera and returned to the point where he had spotted them. Both had landed in a tree, where they were in the process of eating a fish. One left, but the other continued eating… until the horn at the power house blew, signaling the start of the generators and warning fishermen below of quickly rising waters. The eagle abandoned his fish and flew away.
Generally our eagle sightings are quite brief. Sometimes these majestic birds will roost in a tree below our house for a while. But most often, they are flying by one minute… and totally out of sight the next. The analogy in this passage for how quickly money can disappear is a good one!
Please do not misunderstand me. Money is not bad. There is nothing wrong with working hard and aspiring to be successful. Almost all of us desire to have nice things… to live in a comfortable home, drive a good car, and have plenty of food and clothing. We all like to have a new pair of jeans once in a while… or go out for a delicious steak. Nobody wants to worry about how to pay bills, much less where he/she will find the next meal.
But when we define our lives by our level of wealth, we totally miss the mark. God doesn’t care about the balance in our checkbook. He measures the fullness of our heart. The richest person in the world can sit on his duff, hoard his wealth and never serve God or honor Him. The homeless man on the street who shares his cardboard box and a half a sandwich with someone else – or even a stray dog or cat – has served God better. I have observed people on both sides of this equation, and I can tell you with full confidence that those who serve out of their lack are the richest.
Many people are so focused on reaching the next rung in the ladder… making the big deal… or acquiring more “stuff” that they fail to truly experience the life that God desires for them. All of their “acquisitions” and aspirations can be gone in a day… but the real substance of a life in Christ lasts forever. Most likely you fall somewhere in the middle... not filthy rich (materially or monetarily)- but not homeless and on the street, either. But all of us can be incredibly rich in what matters most… the blessings and glory of God…and our efforts to serve Him according to His desires.
The majestic eagles that soar along the river are not concerned with abundance… yet God meets their every need. They may have to abandon a fish mid-meal, but God will provide another. Shouldn’t we take a page from the eagle’s book? Shouldn’t we work diligently to be all that God desires… in our job, our studies, our church ministries...as neighbors, family members and friends… and trust God to bless our efforts? If God cares so deeply for a mere bird, won’t He surely meet our needs, as well?
Where do you need to shift your focus? Where could you pay more attention to serving with the least of what you have than to obtaining more? If you lost all of your money and material possessions tomorrow, would you still be able to serve God? Would you have the knowledge and wisdom… the faith and confidence in His promises… to move forward? Isn’t it time you started filling your heart with the things that matter… and trusting God to handle the rest? Isn't today a good day to begin?
©2012 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 19, 2011
Proverbs 22:1-2
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.
At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.
I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.
Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!
My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.
My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.
Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?
©2011 Debbie Robus
A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
The rich and the poor shake hands as equals— GOD made them both!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I admit it… I watch a lot of reality TV. But my excuse is that I do it “for research.” The truth is that I do learn a lot about human nature from these programs… particularly how ridiculous some people are willing to appear in order to have a few minutes of “fame” and recognition.
At the end of the day, many celebrities and celebrity wannabes come off looking so bad that nobody in their right mind would ever want to imitate them… and few would even want to associate with them – if even casually. Money does not translate into true wealth… and many who would be deemed poor by the standards of our present-day society are some of the richest people on the planet.
I won’t name any names here, but if you and I picture someone who is “rich,” there are a handful of people who come to mind. Their faces are plastered all over the headlines and magazine covers, and many aspire to be just like them. They want the wealth, fame, and recognition… and all of the trappings that go along with it. And “trappings” is a good description, because often, these poor people are trapped by the very things to which they aspired. Their money and notoriety are the things that bring them down, cause troubles and embarrassment, and in some cases… ruin their lives.
Money can be a blessing… but it can also be a curse. If money in your pocket causes you to overspend… become arrogant and ruthless… engage in things you wouldn’t otherwise do, like drinking, drugs, gambling and more… then you are truly anything but rich. If having to pinch pennies causes you to think carefully about how you live… to work hard to pay your bills and take care of your obligations to yourself, your family, and your church… and to focus more on building intangible wealth – relationships, reputation, service… then you are far richer than the man or woman who is at the top of the Forbes list!
My grandmother is one of the richest people I know. She has never had much money… for most of her “senior years,” she has lived on a meager monthly Social Security check – an amount that is probably less than many of you spend each month on clothes and fun activities! Yet she has more people who love her and care about her than anyone else I know. Her needs are always met… and then some. Because she always shared whatever she had with others… time, talents, food, clothing, shelter… and yes, money when she could… she is continually showered with blessings and gifts from those who adore her.
My grandmother’s bank account may be nearly empty, but her “spirit tank” is brimming full. One of her favorite sayings is, “The LORD will take care of me.” She has lived this day in and out… and she has truly trusted Him to do just that. And because of her faith, He has carried her through nearly 99 years. There have been bumps in the road… and there have been days when she wondered how she would pay her bills and put food on the table… but her faith never wavered. And neither should ours. I would stand my grandmother up beside the richest man in the world any day… and in God’s eyes, their value would be the same. Somehow, I think my grandmother’s “net worth” might even be higher, but in the presence of God, all believers are precious and valuable.
Where are you storing your treasure these days? What do you value? Is money and material wealth more important to you than building personal relationships and treating others as God would have you treat them? How are you honoring your responsibility to Him? Are you working hard to pay your bills and live in God’s will… and serving Him out of the abundance and blessings He sends your way? Isn’t it time you began? How rich are you in the eyes of others… and in the eyes of God?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 17, 2011
Proverbs 10:22
When the LORD blesses you with riches, you have nothing to regret.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, the little boy in Ghana whom we sponsor through Compassion International often writes that he is praying for us. How humbled I am by this! I recently read that in Ghana, most of the children who get an opportunity to go to school are those sponsored by people like my husband and me. And the schooling is slow… ten and twelve-year-olds are often just completing work in kindergarten and first grade. So when our ten-year-old Kodjo asks me to pray for him as he studies in school and at his church, I am very humbled and honored.
The average income in Kodjo’s village is around $32 a month… the amount my husband and I spend for his monthly sponsorship. We are allowed to send additional monetary gifts for Kodjo’s birthday and at Christmas… but there are dollar limits so that one child does not have more than his/her peers. We can send $25 to buy new clothes, a soccer ball, or a game Kodjo might like – and a little extra at Christmas time. Kodjo tells us that he loves our gifts. He also talks of time spent with family celebrating holidays and seasonal breaks from school, and he appears to feel quite blessed and “rich”, while by the world’s standards, he is living in abject poverty.
Pastor Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life that… “you could reach all of your personal goals, become a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.” This explains why some of the “richest” people in the world are some of those many of us would consider poor.
This is nothing new… the Apostle Paul spent much of his Christian life in prison – often in horrid, unthinkable conditions – and yet he was apparently happily praising God and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others… encouraging them and offering counsel and comfort. Mother Teresa had virtually nothing of her own, yet she devoted her life to giving to others… and apparently felt quite blessed by doing so.
It seems like this is a good time for all of us to take a good look at our lives and see what we value the most. What makes us “rich” – things and money, property and possessions? Or are we rich in relationships… first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and then with others, like family, friends, and members of our community? Are we blessed because of the generosity and love of others… or are we blessed because we are a blessing in Jesus’ name?
When you get to heaven, if all of the “riches” you accumulated were things that you left behind to gather dust or be haggled over by others, you really wasted your time. But if you have a heart filled with blessings… healthy relationships, wise use of your time and money to help others and share the love of Christ, a genuine effort to bless others and be a blessing… you will have no regrets. God will congratulate you on your faithful service, and He will assign you to greater positions than you ever imagined in His kingdom.
I wonder… when I get to heaven, will I be anywhere as rich as Kodjo and others like him? I hope so! I’m asking God to humble me and help me to use the earthly riches with which He entrusts me to make a difference with eternal ramifications, so that I have no regrets when I meet Him in person. Are you willing to do the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
When the LORD blesses you with riches, you have nothing to regret.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy Kodjo Owusu Frim, the little boy in Ghana whom we sponsor through Compassion International often writes that he is praying for us. How humbled I am by this! I recently read that in Ghana, most of the children who get an opportunity to go to school are those sponsored by people like my husband and me. And the schooling is slow… ten and twelve-year-olds are often just completing work in kindergarten and first grade. So when our ten-year-old Kodjo asks me to pray for him as he studies in school and at his church, I am very humbled and honored.
The average income in Kodjo’s village is around $32 a month… the amount my husband and I spend for his monthly sponsorship. We are allowed to send additional monetary gifts for Kodjo’s birthday and at Christmas… but there are dollar limits so that one child does not have more than his/her peers. We can send $25 to buy new clothes, a soccer ball, or a game Kodjo might like – and a little extra at Christmas time. Kodjo tells us that he loves our gifts. He also talks of time spent with family celebrating holidays and seasonal breaks from school, and he appears to feel quite blessed and “rich”, while by the world’s standards, he is living in abject poverty.
Pastor Rick Warren says in The Purpose Driven Life that… “you could reach all of your personal goals, become a raving success by the world’s standard, and still miss the purposes for which God created you.” This explains why some of the “richest” people in the world are some of those many of us would consider poor.
This is nothing new… the Apostle Paul spent much of his Christian life in prison – often in horrid, unthinkable conditions – and yet he was apparently happily praising God and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others… encouraging them and offering counsel and comfort. Mother Teresa had virtually nothing of her own, yet she devoted her life to giving to others… and apparently felt quite blessed by doing so.
It seems like this is a good time for all of us to take a good look at our lives and see what we value the most. What makes us “rich” – things and money, property and possessions? Or are we rich in relationships… first and foremost with Jesus Christ, and then with others, like family, friends, and members of our community? Are we blessed because of the generosity and love of others… or are we blessed because we are a blessing in Jesus’ name?
When you get to heaven, if all of the “riches” you accumulated were things that you left behind to gather dust or be haggled over by others, you really wasted your time. But if you have a heart filled with blessings… healthy relationships, wise use of your time and money to help others and share the love of Christ, a genuine effort to bless others and be a blessing… you will have no regrets. God will congratulate you on your faithful service, and He will assign you to greater positions than you ever imagined in His kingdom.
I wonder… when I get to heaven, will I be anywhere as rich as Kodjo and others like him? I hope so! I’m asking God to humble me and help me to use the earthly riches with which He entrusts me to make a difference with eternal ramifications, so that I have no regrets when I meet Him in person. Are you willing to do the same?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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