Page 34 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

THE PROSPEROUS WAY

word “haploús.” It literally means “without folds” or “single.” The
opposite to this word is “diplous,” which means "double." If we are
double-visioned (because our focus is divided between God and
money), we will end up in spiritual darkness. Secondly, we must
deliberately choose our master: Whenever there is a conflict between
serving God and making money, we must make the conscious decision
to serve God first. Otherwise, over time, we will become enslaved to
money. In short, we must keep our eyes on the [heavenly] prize and
remain focused on serving God and putting Him first.

IS IT RIGHT TO ENJOY OUR WEALTH?

While accumulating material wealth should never be the central focus
and goal of our lives, it remains true that God is pleased to bless us with
material abundance. But I believe He will bless us only to the extent that
we are able to carry the weight of that blessing, so that our hearts do
not become proud or divided—devoted to our riches rather than to God.

From the Scriptures that we explored in the previous chapter, it is clear
that God provides material abundance as a means of blessing us. We
see this blessing evidenced in the lives of the patriarchs: like Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, David and Solomon. And in the Old Testament, God led
the Israelites to the Promised Land; a bountiful land, overflowing with
milk and honey. Also, 1 Timothy 6:17 expressly states that God “richly
provides all things for us to ENJOY .” However, God’s will for us is always
that we should trust and put our hope in Him, not in our wealth.

“Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be
conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth,
but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy . Instruct
them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous
and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm
,
foundation for the future so that they may take hold of that
which is truly life .” (1 Timothy 6:17-19; BSB)

I do not believe that it is God’s will that we should have an abundance
of material riches at any point in our journey if pursuing wealth
compromises our ability to receive and hold to spiritual riches. I believe
that God expects us to exercise restraint so that, in our quest for material
wealth, we never lose focus on Him. So, we trust in the Lord, who alone
is our sure foundation, and not in uncertain riches.

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