In What Do You Place Your Value?
Key Verse:
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Revelation 3:14-22
It is very easy to allow, when it is present, for one's physical provision to allow the removal of the realization of one's need for spiritual provision. It is easy to view wealth as a reason to depend on oneself and to forget to depend on God. That is why it is important to always remember that the things of this world are fleeting and unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We need to focus on acquiring the things that matter, treasures that will not fade or spoil, and place our trust in the One who can provide those treasures, that is Christ. Right now this may seem like a moot issue as many of us are currently lacking physical wealth to provide us with stability, myself being one of them. However, I look at it this way, that while I am physically stressed it is providing me with the blessing of having to depend on Christ for my daily provision as I cannot rely upon myself to provide it. If you are in a similar boat count it as a blessing that our circumstances are providing us with an opportunity to place our trust in Christ and place our value on the things that really matter. If you are in a position of wealth and physical provision thank God for that as well, but do not forget that one's wealth does not determine one's spiritual richness. Only a relationship with and a life that honors and serves Christ provides you with the wealth that matters.
"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Revelation 3:14-22
It is very easy to allow, when it is present, for one's physical provision to allow the removal of the realization of one's need for spiritual provision. It is easy to view wealth as a reason to depend on oneself and to forget to depend on God. That is why it is important to always remember that the things of this world are fleeting and unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We need to focus on acquiring the things that matter, treasures that will not fade or spoil, and place our trust in the One who can provide those treasures, that is Christ. Right now this may seem like a moot issue as many of us are currently lacking physical wealth to provide us with stability, myself being one of them. However, I look at it this way, that while I am physically stressed it is providing me with the blessing of having to depend on Christ for my daily provision as I cannot rely upon myself to provide it. If you are in a similar boat count it as a blessing that our circumstances are providing us with an opportunity to place our trust in Christ and place our value on the things that really matter. If you are in a position of wealth and physical provision thank God for that as well, but do not forget that one's wealth does not determine one's spiritual richness. Only a relationship with and a life that honors and serves Christ provides you with the wealth that matters.