Scripture: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. -Psalm 24:1
The pastor started off his sermon by saying "You have everything that God can trust you with so far".
Ouch. This was a good reminder that we are stewards of everything that we have. A steward is not an owner, but the owner gives the steward what he believes he can handle and make improvements on.
What has the Owner entrusted you with? Children, marriage, home, finances, opportunities, gifts, talents, etc? We have all been entrusted with things big and small. Sometimes we get distracted because we are too concerned that someone else has been given more than we have. Instead, we should focus on diligently working with what he has already given us.
Challenge: What if instead of being frustrated about the blessings you don't have, you prayed that God would help you to be a better steward of what you do have knowing that when you have been faithful, he will bless you with more.
Scripture: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10
Time and time again the Lord has convicted me of desiring money more than I desire Him. Of course, no believer would ever want to admit this but when we are honest with ourselves, we find that more often than not we are counting on money more than the provision of the Lord.
Everyday we make decisions that reveal if our desire is to have more money or to please God.
We may lie on our taxes to get a bigger refund.
We choose careers based on money instead of God's calling on our lives.
We don't give generously to people in need.
We take advantage of people and overcharge for products and services.
We pride ourselves on the amount of money we make.
We constantly stress about our lack of money or are constantly chasing money goals.
We make choices based on money rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We believe the answer to most of our prayers is more money.
We believe it is God's obligation to make us rich on earth.
Did you see yourself in any of these examples? The point is that we all may have areas of our lives that we are desiring money over God. Remember that money is a tool that God provides, but money is not the provider. God is.
Challenge: Seek God about any area of your life that you are desiring more money rather than more of Him. Repent and ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
These words of warning were given to believers concerning the kingdom of God. Paul, the author of 2 Timothy, wrote with passion from a prison cell. His message was vital and he needed believers to heed the words.
Believers today desperately need this reminder as well. Instead of seeking God for ourselves and digging into His word, we tend to look for teachers, pastors and ideas that align with our personal beliefs and desires.
We have all been guilty of this on some level. We follow popular preachers who have mesmerized the masses and often do not take time to search in the word to see if what they are saying is from God. Many teachers twist scripture to support their own ideas or in order to say what you want to hear. This is dangerous.
What have your itching ears wanted to hear that has led you to false doctrine? Maybe you wanted to hear that you are going to be millionaire or that you would never get sick or that your earthly life will never have sorrow. Unfortunately, this is what some preach and we have eaten it it up.
Challenge: Take time to repent if you have ever been guilty of this. Take inventory of the teachers and preachers that you follow and ask God to help you to turn your heart away from any false doctrine.
