✝️ Daily Devotional - May 23, 2021

💙 Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Money & Fame" by NEEDTOBREATHE. Why not try asking alexa, siri, or google to play it for you?! 

💜 Daily Verse: Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.
☆ Proverbs 11:4 NLT

💛 Let's Talk About It: Many people get caught in the money trap. It's hard not to in today's culture. Consumerism reigns supreme and it isn't until our eyes our opened by the Holy Spirit that we realize this.

However, money is not a bad thing. If used appropriately, it can be used to end famine, assist others on their journey and in their ministries, bless those who have blessed you, help the less fortunate, and so much more. When we have a Kingdom perspective, money can be used as a tool to build the Kingdom.

Alternatively, if we have a worldly perspective concerning money, the lust for it and the worldly things it can be used to purchase lead us away from having a Kingdom perspective. And as we accrue more and more we notice none of it fills that empty place in our heart only Jesus' love can fill.

On the other hand, our living a just life by walking in obedience to God affords us eternity. And if God can trust us with His wealth, it will be given in due time. However, first we be faithful in the little (Luke 16:10). We must walk in righteousness, and we must be producing fruit.

Jesus Himself proclaimed that's its easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom (Matt. 19:24). We need not be consumed with the riches of this world if we are accruing riches in our storehouses in heaven (Matt. 6:19-20).

On the opposite end of the love of money is having a poverty mindset. This is because God can't give you what you need (and sometimes even want) because you don't have the faith to ask for it; nor do you believe you deserve it. For whatever reason, you may be stuck in the mode of praying for the here and now rather than praying for provision that will last or a legacy that will live in through the fruit of your children long after you are called home.

Both mindsets are dangerous to us believers because they keep our focus away from the faithfulness of God. Through our obedience to Him, He shows Himself able to do exceedingly more than we can even fathom. I mean, He's already been to your tomorrow! Halellujah!

So, live right, walk humbly, and just keep following Jesus...He knows the way home.🙌🏻

💚 Prayer: Father, I am so thankful that You are faithful and that You teach me in Your Word about money. Lord, I thank You that You provide more for me than I even believe I deserve most days. You are a great and wonderful God! Father, I thank You that You trust me with the little and I believe, in Your divine timing, all my hearts desires will be fulfilled as my heart aligns with You. Jesus, thank You for Your parables that teach me. I love You, God, and in Jesus name I pray, amen.