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
Thorns, or demons, try to choke and deprive us from God’s Word by weighing us down with the cares of the world. Another way they try to choke us is through the deceitfulness of riches.
1 Timothy 6:17 says we’re not supposed to trust in riches. Let’s look just a few verses before that in verses 9 and 10, which say, “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.” These verses tell us not to desire or love riches. Do you know why this is so important? It’s because we’re supposed to trust, desire and love God … not riches. If we begin to look to riches for things we’re supposed to look to God for, we’re going to stop seeking His Word and fall into temptation and experience many sorrows.
It’s so easy to fall into this incorrect line of thinking—that money is our security, provider and peacemaker. For many people, their bank statements and possessions become their identity. But riches are deceptive. When we start looking to money to give us happiness and to show us love, it’s never enough. And that’s what Satan does; he sneaks in and quietly reminds you that your car isn’t new enough and your house isn’t big enough. He tries to make you forget Jesus is your provider and security, and without Him, those things don’t exist.
Now, before you start feeling bad about having a new car or a nice house, let me say this: there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do a good job providing for your family or finding success in a career. The word riches means an abundance of earthly possessions. So, what the verse says is if you trust, desire and love an abundance of things, the Word of God will be choked out of your life and you won’t bear fruit. However, God designed His Word to bear fruit in those who receive it. And when you allow Him to be your source, you open yourself up to receive His Word.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You’re my source. Forgive me for putting my trust in anything that isn’t You. My earthly possessions will disappear when I die, but Your provision lasts forever. I will put all of my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 6:19–21
24; Matthew 19:16–26; Luke 12:13–21
Taken from It Is Written, a Gateway devotion.
