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Ep 103: Killing greed (Prov 1:11-12).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, My soul looks up to you this day. Without you, Lord, I am nothing and can do nothing. Without you all hope is gone. I look to you on this new day, my hope is in you, Lord. Give me strength, according to your word. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please give me today the daily bread of your word that my soul may live and not die. Please give to me a heart of wisdom. Search me and know me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way within me, and lead me in the way everlasting. My soul looks up to you, O Lord, I wait upon you for my help and deliverance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Reading
Prov 1:10-12 - “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 11. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; 12. like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit”
Meditation.
Sin is greedy for gain, this is very clear in our passage today. “If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; 12. like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit” Sin is discontent, always wanting more. A sure sign that the world is enticing you is that you are being tempted in your life to prioritise material gain for yourself. 1 Tim 6:6 says: “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The way of the world is to seek to get more out of the world, and so when offers come your way to get something out of it – be wary. Examine your own heart – ask yourself: Am I content if I don’t get this thing? A better question might be: How would it glorify God for me to have this thing? Building wealth and working hard are good gifts of God, and there’s nothing wrong with building wealth, but the motivation is key. Greed for gain crosses the line into idolatry, and the world’s whispers will try and tempt you into this idolatry. 1 Corinthians 6:10 says that the greedy will not enter the kingdom of God.
Be ye doers of the word…
Let us then put off greed. Confess your tendencies toward selfish gain to God. And, having put off greed, enjoy His gifts in moderation, self-control, and thanksgiving. Hold the things of this world lightly in the palm of your hand. Beyond this, combat the mindset of greed with seeking that which is good. Sow to the Spirit. Do not toil for that which does not satisfy, go and read Ecclesiastes 2 and see how futile it is! Instead, invest richly in the things of God. Galatians 6:8 says: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Seek first the kingdom of God. Proverbs 15:16 says: “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.” We may gain all the world’s riches, but if we are not rich toward God, it will come to nothing. The world will try and tempt you with promises of gain, but only in Christ can this promise be realised. All the words of the world are nothing but wind and vanity. SDG.
Prayer of Confession & Consecration.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for setting my desires and affections upon the things of this world. I thank you for your good gifts in this life, they are constant reminders of your goodness and generosity. Please help me, Lord, that I may have a right heart toward earthly goods. To give thanks in receiving them, and to live in such a way that I do not desire them more than I ought. Lord, please help me to treasure you above all things. Please help me to seek your kingdom first, and find all my delight in you alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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By Reformed devotions from all of scripture.Prayer
Heavenly Father, My soul looks up to you this day. Without you, Lord, I am nothing and can do nothing. Without you all hope is gone. I look to you on this new day, my hope is in you, Lord. Give me strength, according to your word. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please give me today the daily bread of your word that my soul may live and not die. Please give to me a heart of wisdom. Search me and know me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way within me, and lead me in the way everlasting. My soul looks up to you, O Lord, I wait upon you for my help and deliverance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Reading
Prov 1:10-12 - “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 11. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; 12. like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit”
Meditation.
Sin is greedy for gain, this is very clear in our passage today. “If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; 12. like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit” Sin is discontent, always wanting more. A sure sign that the world is enticing you is that you are being tempted in your life to prioritise material gain for yourself. 1 Tim 6:6 says: “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The way of the world is to seek to get more out of the world, and so when offers come your way to get something out of it – be wary. Examine your own heart – ask yourself: Am I content if I don’t get this thing? A better question might be: How would it glorify God for me to have this thing? Building wealth and working hard are good gifts of God, and there’s nothing wrong with building wealth, but the motivation is key. Greed for gain crosses the line into idolatry, and the world’s whispers will try and tempt you into this idolatry. 1 Corinthians 6:10 says that the greedy will not enter the kingdom of God.
Be ye doers of the word…
Let us then put off greed. Confess your tendencies toward selfish gain to God. And, having put off greed, enjoy His gifts in moderation, self-control, and thanksgiving. Hold the things of this world lightly in the palm of your hand. Beyond this, combat the mindset of greed with seeking that which is good. Sow to the Spirit. Do not toil for that which does not satisfy, go and read Ecclesiastes 2 and see how futile it is! Instead, invest richly in the things of God. Galatians 6:8 says: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Seek first the kingdom of God. Proverbs 15:16 says: “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.” We may gain all the world’s riches, but if we are not rich toward God, it will come to nothing. The world will try and tempt you with promises of gain, but only in Christ can this promise be realised. All the words of the world are nothing but wind and vanity. SDG.
Prayer of Confession & Consecration.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for setting my desires and affections upon the things of this world. I thank you for your good gifts in this life, they are constant reminders of your goodness and generosity. Please help me, Lord, that I may have a right heart toward earthly goods. To give thanks in receiving them, and to live in such a way that I do not desire them more than I ought. Lord, please help me to treasure you above all things. Please help me to seek your kingdom first, and find all my delight in you alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Get full access to Old things New. at rcbhpastor.substack.com/subscribe