Greetings in Christ,
The scriptures selected for this devotional hit hard for a lot of people. It is asking for people to give up their possessions and give to charity, and not to be independent from God, but trust God for all your needs. It is especially hard for some to give up everything they have acquired and give to charity.
Many times, we hear about those who give up everything to go into ministry or be a missionary, but rarely do you hear of people living hand to mouth being fully dependent on God to provide their very next meal, clothing, or housing. Many people work to acquire material items such as a car, clothes, housing, or whatever they need to live life here on earth. People over time accumulate items of need to live life here on earth, and if you are work hard enough you acquire things for your hobbies or activities you like to do.
While many who work a job may not have the luxury of buying extravagant things in this life, they manage to live life comfortably while they have food, clothing, a vehicle, and purchase a house along with the necessities of life. People save up to buy things which they want to acquire in the interest they have such as woodworking, crafting, sewing, fishing, hunting, or some other hobby you may have. These activities often lead to enjoyment and have stress relieving capabilities many people enjoy getting away from the hard work life.
The difficult part for those who read the scriptures, it sends some into a guilt trip in thinking they are spending their money on selfish items when they should be helping those in need. It begins to lead to self-check thinking where people question their motives and ask themselves if they are doing wrong in the eyes of God.
The thinking must start with why items are purchased. There is nothing wrong with acquiring material things in this life, but if people purchase things because they have an abundance of wealth and just want to acquire material things just for the sake of having them-it may be wrong for them to do. It has to do with the motive of the heart, and if it is for selfish reasons the question may arise, do I really need it.
God looks at the heart and the reason people do what they do. When combined with other scripture God has given us many directions for life here on earth. The Bible tells us to some more is given, but what is given in abundance comes with greater responsibility. Many people are blessed with great wealth and God expects them to help provide for His kingdom, but He is asking for all people to put Him first in all matters and in everything people do. Other people may not have the ability to have wealth, but they have other riches God gave them and He is asking for those riches to be given back by putting Him first.
While we need material things here on earth, if our hearts are in the wrong place, they become a barrier between mankind and God. The scriptures are really asking if we are putting God first in all we do are we giving back in what riches we have. When people put God first, people receive a blessing in so many ways not only in the receiving, but also in the giving, and God gets the glory while His kingdom advances here on earth.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24
Lord may we always put You first in all we do, and may we give back from the riches You have given us. Amen
Blessings,