DO YOU TRUST IN GOD OR MONEY?

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JULY 23, 2022  

TOPIC:  DO YOU TRUST IN GOD OR MONEY?

BY T. O. BANSO

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 New King James Version).

Money is a means of exchange. It follows that the more money you have, the more the products and services you have access to enjoy. Therefore, people labour to have money to exchange for the products and services they desire. Unfortunately, some people engage in sinful and illegal activities to get money, not necessarily to satisfy their needs but greed.

As important as money is, a child of God must relate to it according to the word of God. He must not be desperate or greedy. He must differentiate between his needs and wants and be content with what God gives him.

The Apostle Paul talks about this in 1 Timothy 6:6-10 thus: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (New King James Version).

Having said this, there is a temptation for people, both sinners and saints, to trust in money. Indeed, it is some people’s trust in money that makes them try to get it by all means. Money is the god that they worship. They believe that money can do anything. They have no room for God in their hearts. It is money that is seated on the throne of their hearts.

But it is also possible for the children of God who made their money in a righteous way to trust in money and not God. Such people could have laboured diligently and saved much money in the bank. They could also have made some investment that is yielding good returns. Thus, they could be tempted to think less of God and more about their money. Their money could give them a false sense of security. They could feel that they can do and get whatever they want. The love of such people for God has waxed cold. How many people today are saying, “In money we trust” and not  “In God we trust”, as it is written on all American currency? “In God we trust” is America’s national motto but this should be engraved in the hearts of people of all nations.

Money is important in life, but God is more important. No matter how much money you have saved and the investment you have made, don’t let these replace God in your life. Don’t let your money give you a false sense of security. Money fails but God can never. “So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, ‘Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed’” (Genesis 47:15 New King James Version). Did you see that? Money failed! You should save but don’t let your trust be in your savings; let it be in God. You should invest but don’t let your trust be in your investment but God.

Money has its limitations but God doesn’t. Trust in God, not in money. Money could be uncertain but God is ever faithful. He doesn’t change. Don’t you see the fluctuations in the exchange rates in different countries and the prices of stocks? Paul told Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 New King James Version). Money is uncertain. Enjoy, within biblical limits, the money God gives you, but don’t trust in it.

Many people have trusted money in the past. They neglected God because they feel secure with their wealth as the Bible says that the rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem (Proverbs 18:11). But such people know better today as the money they trusted in has become part of their past. Proverbs 23:4-5 says, “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (New King James Version). Don’t trust in riches; trust in God. If riches increase, do not set your heart on them (Psalm 62:10b).

Trust in God, not in money. There are things that money can never do for you but you need God to do them for you. Money can never buy the salvation of your soul. Only Jesus saves; money can never. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b). Indeed, riches could become a hindrance to entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus says it is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God and it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24-25).

Trust in God. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage (Proverbs 11:28). Don’t trust in money. Money cannot save anyone from death. This is another limitation of money. Psalm 49:7-9 says, “We can never redeem ourselves; we cannot pay God the price for our lives, because the payment for a human life is too great. What we could pay would never be enough to keep us from the grave, to let us live forever” (Good News Translation).

When death comes, nobody takes anything along with him. “Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased;  for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him” (Psalm 49:16-17 New King James Version).

That’s why wise people save their money but don’t hoard it. They save but they also sow. They save but they are also generous to others. They also invest but they are not like the fool who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21). They know they cannot take their money or wealth with them when they die but they can send it on ahead.

Put your trust in God, not in money, no matter how wealthy you are. You cannot serve God and money or mammon (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).  Trust in God. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version). Do you trust in God or money?

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and was raised on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. I shall not trust in money but God. I shall serve God with money but not money in Jesus’ name. Father, deliver those guilty of the love of money. Let them repent, surrender their lives to Jesus, and trust in You, not money.

(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org