A powerful devo on Financial matters by Creg

I enjoyed and rehearsed once and once again the devo last night. Thanks for Creg, a 35-yr mature disciple with strong conviction and authentic brother who excels not only in his profession, but also keeps himself tuned in God's calls channel. From the inner most of my heart, the devo really struck me. I couldn't help jotting some insights I can recall....



$ Vs God
$ seems to stumble lots of people from time to time. People think that God wants us to stay poor and have a hard life and HE hates us to become rich.
NO, God never thinks so. God never validates $ being essential and we should work hard to earn it and with it we enjoy our lives.

God teaches us in MT 6:19
"don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal."

Sure, it WAS my way. I once lived in a prestiguous apartment with balcony overlooking the panoramaic view of charming Victoria Harbour. I had my dream car and many stylistic cut clothes. I was living a materialistic, abundant life without heart or care about others beyond my core family. In my heart, I became greedy and longed for more and better and thought that I deserved. In a second, all these vanished like vapor in the desert. The house added burden to me; the car became rusted scraps and slag. My clothes only consumed physical space. What left to me????

Yes, materially speaking, nothing! But lessons I learnt in my heart which opened my vision and cut into my heart.

More blessed is to give than to receive
As Creg pointed out, as a disciple may share as mentioned in 1Tim 6:17
"instruct those who are rich in the prsent world not to be conceited or to fix their hope, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

People are apt to become arrogant when getting rich. (Maybe some are already arrogant even being in poverty). God is never mean and is always ready to supply us everything in life so that we can really enjoy our lives. Right of Abundance is endorsed by our LORD. To enjoy life and stay contented and thankful with what given but not to grasp the treasures tightly. Gradually we become addicted to it or attached to it. That "IT" becomes our GOD. If we look for and feel secured only by working hard or saving $ for future sake, we stay nervous and unsafe for future. Financial security becomes my God.

Right of Abundance
To live an abundant life, we must be willing to give. More blessed is the one who give more than to receive (Acts 20:35). We give not till we are rich enough or better off. Contribution to Church or to charity is a means to express my gratitude to my LORD. This is also a reminder for me to enjoy life and live in present. JOHN 10:10 calls us to enjoy a life of Abundance. "The thief comes only to teal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. "

To pursue an abundant life, I am not just looking in $ term nor simply financial security. Do I believe that God provides and offers us the best? Sometimes, I hesitate to believe that I am really well provided by doing nothing - but merely out of God's unconditional love. Yes, Exodus 20:1-6 especially verse 6 comforts me a lot a lot " .... but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love ME and keep My commandments." Just cherish a pure and simple heart - pursue a God-loving and loving-God life then everything best for you and fit for you will be provided and given! Prioritize your life!

Ecclesiastes 5:10
"He who loves $ will not be satisfied with $ (neither thankful nor contented) nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity."


Ecclesiastes 5:18 defines what an enjoyful and abundant life is. Just as the elder son in Luke 15:28 who grumbles for his father's favouritism. Have I resembled this son to a certain extent?

• Prioritize your life!
• Live in present!
• Stay contented and enjoy a real life!