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Richer than you thought?
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalm 119:14
Unexpected financial windfalls are very welcome. I once replaced a set of golf clubs when Abbey became a bank and sent me a cheque.
In our time in pastoral ministry we would occasionally receive a substantial financial gift to meet a pressing need. I can understand why the Psalmist writes of rejoicing over great riches. As a friend says, “I don’t know if being wealthy would change me, but it might be fun to find out!” What may be harder to imagine is the Psalmist rejoicing in following God’s Word with the same thrill as a rich man surveying his wealth!
But as we see lawlessness around us and within us we start to realise how wonderful God’s law is. Imagine the effects if each of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20) were broken within your family or circle of friends in the next month. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts means allowing it to sink in so it becomes such a part of us that we are poised to do good and not evil.
The Word is the ‘sword of the Spirit’, part of the armour God gives us so that ‘when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.’ (Ephesians 6:11) And at the end of the day (and the end of your life) that will matter more than any windfall.
Dear Lord, I am sorry that riches often attract me more than You. Help me to give You first place in my life and to get money in its right place in my life. Amen.
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalm 119:14
Unexpected financial windfalls are very welcome. I once replaced a set of golf clubs when Abbey became a bank and sent me a cheque.
In our time in pastoral ministry we would occasionally receive a substantial financial gift to meet a pressing need. I can understand why the Psalmist writes of rejoicing over great riches. As a friend says, “I don’t know if being wealthy would change me, but it might be fun to find out!” What may be harder to imagine is the Psalmist rejoicing in following God’s Word with the same thrill as a rich man surveying his wealth!
But as we see lawlessness around us and within us we start to realise how wonderful God’s law is. Imagine the effects if each of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20) were broken within your family or circle of friends in the next month. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts means allowing it to sink in so it becomes such a part of us that we are poised to do good and not evil.
The Word is the ‘sword of the Spirit’, part of the armour God gives us so that ‘when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.’ (Ephesians 6:11) And at the end of the day (and the end of your life) that will matter more than any windfall.
Dear Lord, I am sorry that riches often attract me more than You. Help me to give You first place in my life and to get money in its right place in my life. Amen.
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