“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.”
October 11, 2020
Warren Wiersbe told of an old Quaker who was in his house, and next door a new family was moving in. They were unloading everything, all the stuff they’d gathered and accumulated. Toys, tools, finery, gadgets, furniture—all were going into the house. The old Quaker was standing there, having watched all this. A Scripture came to his mind: “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). Finally, when they got it all in there, he went over and said, “Friend, if thou dost ever have anything that thou thinkest thou needest, come and see me, and I will tell thee how to get along without it.”
Are you content? You remember the story about John D. Rockefeller, who died a billionaire in 1937. Can you imagine how much that would be in today’s money? Someone asked him, “How much money is enough?” He answered, “Just a little bit more.” Our old nature is never satisfied. We crave “just a little bit more.” Covetousness is not God’s plan for His child.
Now, God is not a cosmic killjoy. He doesn’t want to keep you poor, down in the dust. God is a good God. “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). The devil, however, will try to make you believe God somehow doesn't want you to have a good time. But He does!
God gives us richly all things to enjoy. If God has given you a fine house, a nice car, a bank account, I’m so happy for you. That's wonderful! Just don't put your trust in it. Trust instead “in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”