Thought for the Day

Verses 18-20 - Whoever possesses God's wisdom will receive both honor and blessing. Portions of the church are divided on whether Christians can expect material blessings from God. The Bible clearly indicates that poverty does not come from Him; He is a God of abundance. He has never disapproved of His people receiving riches, but He is against the sins that many people embrace with wealth: greed, hoarding, and selfish indulgence.

Notice that godly wisdom brings not only wealth, but righteousness. God honors those who seek His direction for the use of their resources. Godly men look for ways to bless others and support ministers who are spreading the Gospel. They are not consumed with extravagance, but are satisfied with a modest lifestyle. The man whom God makes rich is different from the worldly rich man. The godly man trusts God, because he knows where his wealth comes from. He is aware that, but for God, he would own nothing and could lose everything if he turned away from Him (Deuteronomy 8:18). He does not consider his wealth his own and is not troubled about losing it. He acknowledges God's ownership of his wallet and his very life. Knowing that he is only a steward, he listens to the Holy Spirit to learn where his money should go. He is ready, if the Lord asks him, to give it all away.

God is a loving Father who desires to bless His people. He wants us to have the same generous heart that He does. How much should we give? We should keep some money as seed for bread, but also give some back to God for the Gospel. In the Bible, we find that God required His people to give a tithe (ten-percent, or the firstfruits) of their increase. That is a good starting point; however, the truly wealthy man will desire to give God more as he is entrusted with more. I read of a very wealthy man who gave huge sums of money to the work of the Kingdom. This man reversed God's requirement: he gave ninety-percent to God and lived on ten-percent.

Verse 21 - Some of us may be struggling to make a living. The Lord has much to say about finances and giving. We can get out of financial bondage by following His wisdom. When we give of what we have: our time, prayers, possessions and money, He has a way of meeting our needs and multiplying it back to us so that we can give again. As we help each other, we find our treasuries being filled. As God's obedient children, we receive true inheritance; not merely material things, but the treasures of heaven that cannot be bought. Only Jesus can give us faith, peace, love, joy, health and eternal life.