TODAY’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
Time and Money
Our ability to live in the fullness that God has for us is entirely dependent on where we direct our attention, just as it is with everything else in our lives.
“I am familiar with both the process of being brought low and the process of abounding. I have learned how to deal with plenty as well as hunger, an abundance as well as a need, no matter what the circumstances are. Through Christ, who strengthens me, I am able to tackle any challenge that comes my way. Philippians 4:12-13
Our ability to live in the fullness that God has for us is entirely dependent on where we direct our attention, just as it is with everything else in our lives. Whatever the price may be, the world tells us that our primary focus should be on material possessions, financial success, and preserving all that we have worked so hard to achieve. The world constantly bombards us with the subtle deception that who we are and what we have will never be sufficient.
We find out where God wants us to direct our attention in Deuteronomy 6:5: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” This command seems to completely disregard our material requirements, which goes against the cultural norm. There is a strong pull on us to take control of our lives, our time, and our finances. In the end, if we don’t do it, who else will?!
We have a responsibility to be responsible stewards of everything that has been entrusted to us. This stewardship is put into practise when we acknowledge God as the giver of all good gifts, accept those gifts — no matter how little or how much they are — express gratitude for them, and then give those gifts away in response to His nudging in our hearts.
When a married couple reaches the point where they can surrender control of their lives to the Lord rather than allowing their lives to control them, they will experience a profound and genuine sense that they have sufficient resources. Through Him and in Him, we discover that “godliness with contentment is great gain,” whether we are in need or in plenty, whether we are rushed or relaxed, whether we are hungry or well fed. 6th verse of 1 Timothy.