TODAYS BIBLE READING:
 

How God views success and how the world views success are completely different. Those who live a life dedicated to serving and glorifying God leave behind a legacy of such when they die. Though Billy Graham had amassed considerable wealth during his lifetime, he chose to live a relatively modest life. Anyone who saw any portion of his funeral or life story saw a man who left behind an example of a life of servitude for God. Legacy and inheritance are not the same thing. Money in and of itself is not good or bad, the question is whether or not we are in bondage to it.

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We read in Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver or gold." Solomon says here that it is the name that we leave behind, not our riches which are better. We read in 22:4, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life." Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." We read in Proverbs 23:4-5, "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."

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We read in Proverbs 23:17, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off." A little further, Solomon says in 24:1-2, "Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking." Those of us in Christ have a hope and desire which so far exceeds that which the world and all of its material pleasures can offer. Finances come and go, the question is whether we view money as the end game or just part of a ways to a means. Our time on earth is rather short. Its purpose is to serve and glorify God. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." We have various jobs, various incomes, various life circumstances, but the same Lord and Savior. Seeking satisfaction or desiring things on earth which others have outside of God will never lead to increased joy. Jesus states in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."