How can we avoid "trusting in riches" in our daily lives today? Opening Scripture “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (Proverbs 11:28) Why Riches Are a Shaky Foundation • Money fades: “For riches do not endure forever” (Proverbs 27:24). • Wealth deceives: “The deceitfulness of wealth chokes the word” (Matthew 13:22). • False security: “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale” (Proverbs 18:11). • Inevitable loss: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). Cultivating a Heart that Trusts God, Not Gold • Treasure Christ above possessions (Matthew 6:19-21). • Remember God owns it all (Psalm 24:1). • Meditate on God’s past faithfulness; rehearse specific answers to prayer. • Regularly confess any anxiety linked to finances (Philippians 4:6-7). • Practice gratitude for daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Practical Daily Habits to Guard Against Money-Dependence • Tithe and give generously first (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:7). • Set a budget that reflects kingdom priorities. • Limit exposure to materialistic media and advertising. • Separate identity from income—introduce yourself by calling, not salary. • Keep an emergency fund to avoid panic, yet pray over its use so it never becomes an idol. • Fast periodically from non-essential spending to reset desires. Signs We Are Slipping into Riches-Reliance • Anxious when the market dips or bills rise (Matthew 6:31-32). • Stingy toward needs around us (1 John 3:17). • Constant comparison with others’ lifestyles. • Decisions driven mainly by financial gain. • Less time for worship because of overtime pursuits. • Secret bitterness when God asks us to give something up. Encouragement for the Righteous Who Trust the Lord • God promises provision: “Seek first the kingdom … and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). • Contentment brings peace: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5). • Generosity stores eternal treasure: “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). • Flourishing guaranteed: “The righteous will flourish like foliage” (Proverbs 11:28b). Choose trust in the Lord over trust in riches, and you will stand firm while others fall. |
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