What practical steps can we take to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth? The Warning of Babylon’s Glitter “Woe! Woe to the great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!” (Revelation 18:16) Why This Verse Speaks Today • Babylon’s splendor is real, but its judgment is just as real. • Luxury dazzles yet disappears; judgment endures; therefore, spiritual wealth must outrank material gain. Five Practical Steps to Pursue Spiritual Wealth 1. Redirect Your Heart’s Treasury • Memorize Matthew 6:19-21—“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Set up automatic giving to church and missions so generosity becomes the default, not the leftover. 2. Cultivate Daily Contentment • Hebrews 13:5—“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” • Keep a gratitude list; name three non-material blessings each day before touching a screen. 3. Simplify Possessions Intentionally • Luke 12:15—“Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” • Schedule a quarterly declutter day; donate usable items to believers in need and local ministries. 4. Prioritize Kingdom Time Over Overtime • Matthew 6:33—“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” • Block off daily Bible reading and weekly fellowship in your calendar before adding optional work hours. 5. Invest in Eternal Relationships • 1 Timothy 6:18—“Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.” • Host a meal each month aimed at discipling or encouraging someone; spend on hospitality instead of self-indulgence. Supporting Scriptures to Anchor These Steps • Colossians 3:2—“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” • Proverbs 11:28—“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” • James 5:1-3—Riches hoarded now will stand as evidence in the coming judgment. Putting It All Together Revelation 18:16 exposes how fleeting earth’s glory is. By redirecting our hearts, cultivating contentment, simplifying, protecting kingdom time, and investing in people, we trade Babylon’s collapsing wealth for treasures that can never be lost. |
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