Following Godly Counsel
We are material beings, and we live in a material world, a world that,
at times, can be very alluring. You’d have to be made out of steel and
synthetic oil, not flesh and blood, not to feel, at times, the lure of mate-
rial possessions and the desire for wealth. At one time or another, who
hasn’t fantasized about being rich or winning the lottery?
Though we all face it, and there is nothing wrong in and of itself in
working hard to earn a good living or even being wealthy, none of us
has to succumb to the trap of making idols out of money, wealth, and
material possessions. We are promised divine power to stay faithful to
what we know is right. This is important, because the temptation of
wealth and material possessions has led to the ruin of many souls.
Read Matthew 6:24 and 1 John 2:15. Though expressed differently,
what’s the common theme found in both of these scriptures?
Unfortunately, the love of the world can be so strong that people will
get into debt in order—as they hope—to satisfy that love. (It never
works; see Eccles. 4:8.)
And because debt is one of Satan’s nets that he sets for souls, it just
makes sense that God would like to see His children debt-free. He has
given us counsel through the Bible and the prophetic gift that will lead
us to financial freedom.
Read Psalm 50:14, 15. What attitude should God’s people live with?
What does it mean to “pay your vows” (NKJV)?
We enter into our church membership with praise and thanksgiving
to our God, who has created and redeemed us. In point 9 (of 13) in our
baptismal vows, we were asked, “Do you believe in church organization?
Is it your purpose to worship God and to support the church through
your tithes and offerings and by your personal effort and influence?” As
Seventh-day Adventists, we all said yes. So, this text (Ps. 50:14, 15) is a
promise to those who offer thanksgiving to God and are faithfully paying
their vows.
What do your choices tell you about how well you deal with the
lure of the world? Why is working hard to earn a good living not
necessarily the same thing as making an idol of wealth or money?
How can we learn the difference?
