How can we prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth in daily life? Opening Snapshot: Naked In, Naked Out “ As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.” – Ecclesiastes 5:15 Solomon’s blunt picture strips away every illusion: we enter empty-handed, we exit the same way. That single verse calls us to pursue riches that can follow us beyond the grave—spiritual wealth. Why Material Riches Can’t Last • They are temporary: “moth and rust destroy” (Matthew 6:19). • They bring false security: “Riches are worthless in the day of wrath” (Proverbs 11:4). • They can enslave: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). What Counts as Spiritual Wealth? • A growing relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:8). • Godliness combined with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6–7). • A record of good works and generosity credited in heaven (1 Timothy 6:18–19). • The fruit of the Spirit—character that mirrors Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23). • Eternal rewards promised for faithful service (2 Corinthians 5:10). Daily Rhythms That Shift Our Focus 1. Start with gratitude. – List three ways God provided yesterday. Thanksgiving loosens greed’s grip. 2. Tithe and give first. – Setting aside a percentage before spending anything else declares, “God owns it all.” 3. Practice secret generosity. – Give anonymously when possible (Matthew 6:3-4). It frees the heart from applause-seeking. 4. Limit lifestyle creep. – When income rises, choose to increase giving rather than upgrading everything. 5. Sabbath from shopping. – Designate days with no spending to remind yourself that life is “more than possessions” (Luke 12:15). 6. Store Scripture, not stuff. – Memorize key verses about contentment; review them when tempted to splurge. 7. Serve regularly. – Invest hours, not just dollars, in kingdom work; time is a currency you can’t reclaim. 8. Keep an eternal ledger. – Ask, “Will this matter in 10,000 years?” before major purchases or commitments. Warning Lights on the Dashboard • Anxiety rises or mood dips based on market swings. • Possessions crowd out space for hospitality or quiet time with God. • You hesitate to obey a giving prompt because it threatens “security.” • Conversations revolve more around investments than testimonies. Holding Possessions Loosely Yet Stewarding Well • Remember you’re a manager, not an owner (Psalm 24:1). • Budget purposefully: allocate for necessities, ministry, enjoyment, and future needs—then rest. • Declutter regularly; pass useful items to someone who can be blessed now. • View career advancement as platform for kingdom impact, not personal empire-building. A Closing Vision: Rich Toward God The farmer in Luke 12 built bigger barns but died bankrupt before God. Contrast him with the merchant who sells all to gain the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). One clung to temporary grain; the other seized eternal treasure. Each sunrise hands us the same choice. Ecclesiastes 5:15 reminds us we’ll leave here with nothing in our hands—but we can depart with hearts overflowing in riches that never fade. |
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