‘Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.’ Psalm 62:10 NIV

If God can trust you with something small, He’ll trust you with more (see Luke 16:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). But His blessings come with certain conditions, and here are four you need to honour. 1) Don’t try to claim credit for yourself. God told the Israelites, ‘You may say to yourself…“My hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord…for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…If you ever forget…you will surely be destroyed’ (Deuteronomy 8:17-19 NIV). 2) Don’t forget others. The Bible commands ‘those who are rich in this present world…to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds…generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves’ (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV). 3) Don’t become arrogant. Jeremiah warns us, ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong…of their strength or the rich…of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord’ (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV). 4) Don’t allow anything to take God’s place. ‘Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?”’ (Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV). Remember, you don’t own anything – you’re just an administrator of God’s estate and an executor of His will. It’s an awesome responsibility, so make sure you do the best you can.

‘It is…by my Spirit,’ says the Lord.’ Zechariah 4:6 NLT

Sometimes it can feel like we’re having to face things on our own, that nobody is willing to walk alongside us or support us in what God’s calling us to do. People can often assume we’re strong and don’t need anything. It’s easy to become discouraged and give up when we feel we’re not being supported. But God never leaves us to face anything on our own. Zerubbabel was called to rebuild the temple. It was a huge task, so God told him, ‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit.’ We can’t do everything on our own, we need to be dependent on God. When we don’t let Him in to what we’re doing, we can end up in a worse situation. Samson discovered this: ‘He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him’ (Judges 16:20-21 NIV). God stepped back and let Samson see that it was the Lord doing it, and not himself. We need to remember that it’s God’s power, not ours, that makes the difference. God’s ‘power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). So when we’re feeling weak, we’re in the best position for God to work through us and with us. We’ve got to take that step of courage, trusting that He’ll equip us as we go along. When we’re relying on His strength rather than our own, we can do what He’s calling us to.

‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ Colossians 4:2 NIV

The word ‘watchful’ is a throwback to the Old Testament-era routine of sitting on a city wall and keeping watch. Watchmen were the first to see attacking armed forces or travelling merchants. They had the best vantage point. They saw what nobody else saw, and they saw things sooner than others saw them. That’s exactly what happens when we pray. We see what nobody else sees, and we see them sooner than others see them. Prayer provides us with a God’s-eye view; it increases our awareness and gives us a sixth sense that allows us to discern spiritual realities. In their classic book Geeks and Geezers, business gurus Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas make an interesting observation about a common trait among successful leaders in every field. Bennis and Thomas call them first-class noticers. ‘Being a first-class noticer allows you to recognise talent, identify opportunities, and avoid pitfalls. Leaders who succeed again and again are geniuses at grasping context. This is one of those characteristics, like taste, that is difficult to break down into its component parts. But the ability to weigh a welter of factors, some as subtle as how very different groups of people will interpret a gesture, is one of the hallmarks of a true leader.’ Prayer turns us into first-class noticers. It helps us to see what God wants us to notice. The more you pray, the more you notice. The less you pray, the less you notice. It’s as simple as that. Here’s a Bible formula for success in any area of life: ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’

‘But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.’ 1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV

The Bible says, ‘“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit’ (vv. 9-10 NKJV). Our five senses are limited, so the Holy Spirit compensates for them by enabling us to realise things we can’t perceive with our five senses. Think of Him as a sixth sense. That sense must be cultivated, matured, and fine-tuned. And that can only happen when we spend time meditating in the Scriptures and sitting with God in prayer. Until we’re awakened by the Holy Spirit, we’re unaware of our need for God, of the spiritual warfare that’s happening all around us, and of what God’s doing all around us. One night Jacob had a dream where God appeared to him and said, ‘I am with you and will keep you wherever you go’ (Genesis 28:15 NKJV). When he woke up the next morning, Jacob said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it…This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’ (Genesis 28:16-17 NKJV). Jacob went to sleep and woke up in the same place, but he woke up a different person. After his wake-up call, Jacob saw God everywhere he looked. Today, ask God for spiritual inspiration. Pray, ‘Father, show me what You want me to see, teach me what You want me to know, lead me step-by-step in the path of Your perfect will.’ That’s a prayer God will love to answer!

‘Give your servant a discerning heart.’ 1 Kings 3:9 NIV

When God asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon gave what we might think of as a surprising answer. Out of everything he could have wanted, he asked for the gift of wisdom. He prayed: ‘Give your servant a discerning heart…to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ Solomon recognised the value of wisdom. We all need wisdom. From decision-making to solving conflicts, we need to be able to make wise choices. And discernment fits in with this. Being able to discern between right and wrong, the truthfulness of a statement or the character of a person, helps us make those wise choices. The Bible says that discernment is a spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul shows us that people are given differing gifts (see v.10). So some of us have discernment as our spiritual gift. But for those of us who don’t, we can ask God to help us be discerning and wise in our everyday decisions, faith, relationships and workplaces. ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you’ (James 1:5 NIV). And when we’re filled with God’s wisdom, the decisions we make will bring peace, justice and goodness. And that will bring glory to God. When Solomon received the gift of wisdom, he was soon put to the test when two women approached him both claiming to be a baby’s mother. He managed to discern who the real mother was and we’re told that the people were in awe of him because they could see God’s wisdom in him (see 1 Kings 3:28). Can people see the same in us? 

‘The Spirit of truth…will lead you…and …tell you what is to come.’ John 16:13 NCV

Making decisions without getting God’s guidance first is like trying to fly a plane without radar and a compass. You can do what makes sense based on your past knowledge and experience, but what ‘looks right’ can end up destroying what’s most important to you if it’s actually the wrong course to take. The Bible says even the most profound and complex human thinking looks simple to God (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-20). Only He knows the way, and He wants to go ahead of you. Don’t assume that every opportunity that comes along is from God. Paul said, ‘Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light’ (2 Corinthians 11:14 NCV). And while his invitations are packaged to look like he has your best interests at heart, his way always leads to ruin (see John 8:44). God’s Word was designed as ‘a lamp for [your] feet and a light for [your] path’ (Psalm 119:105 NCV) to guide you in the ways of righteousness. That’s why it can be catastrophic to follow a path that seems right to you without first asking God for direction. Jesus said, ‘When the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but…only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come’ (John 16:13 NCV). The truth is that most of us don’t naturally seek God. It’s only as His Spirit speaks to our hearts that we start desiring His will. Take time to seek the Holy Spirit’s direction. Trust Him. He understands the consequences of your choices, and He’ll show you ‘the big picture’ and help you stay on the right road.

‘Let us have…no envy of one another.’ Galatians 5:26 RSV

Paul warned the early church about envy, and it’s still a problem. A friend gets better exam results, a co-worker gets promoted, a neighbour gets a new car. Do you rejoice with them, or force a tight smile? We’re human; an occasional flicker of envy is normal. But beware of harbouring a lingering sense of being cheated. The Roman historian Tacitus said, ‘When men are full of envy, they disparage everything…good or bad.’ When somebody else prospers, before you think, ‘It should have been me,’ ask yourself if you’d be responding the same way if some tragedy had happened to them. Jealousy is like a moth; it nibbles away at clothes until they’re ruined, except envy destroys irreplaceable things like relationships and families. One author reminds us: ‘When we’re…in the valley, it is human to envy those…[on] the mountaintops. It is easy to forget [they] didn’t fall there – they climbed there. Behind the success story is always a courageous decision and a gallant action…If we want to reach them…we have to…climb. Inspiration from someone else may get us started, but the success is in the climbing.’ Imagine a runner striding out; they’re fast, focused, and ahead of the pack. Then they start looking at the competition. Before long they stumble, lose momentum, and drop out. That’s what happens when you let jealousy distract you from completing the course God mapped out for you. Paul writes, ‘You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?’ (Galatians 5:7 NIV). Keep your eye on the prize, and don’t get distracted by what others have and don’t have. Remember that you have God!

‘If you accept correction, you will be honoured.’ Proverbs 13:18 NLT

Solomon said, ‘If you accept correction, you will be honoured.’ Pastor Charlie Shedd gives us ten ways to grow through criticism: 1) Criticism is often a compliment. The barbs in daily life only strike people who are prepared to raise their heads above ground level. Jesus said, ‘Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down…it means…that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable’ (Luke 6:22 MSG). 2) Accept that you have faults which are open to criticism. Stay humble, and criticism won’t rattle you. 3) ‘The words of the godly save lives’ (Proverbs 12:6 NLT). Invite constructive criticism from friends; then when it comes from your enemies, you’ll be prepared. 4) Let criticism make you better. When you burn with anger, you destroy the passport to your own improvement. ‘When you do right and suffer for it…take it patiently’ (1 Peter 2:20 RSV). 5) Some criticism should be ignored, especially if it stems from false motives. Never give unhappy people the key to your happiness. 6) Keep it in perspective. Everybody hasn’t heard. Most people don’t care. One bad word doesn’t cancel the good in you. 7) Let criticism make you kinder. Remind yourself that you have criticised others too. Is this a boomerang that started in your own heart? 8) Pray for your critics. It will improve them and neutralise your bitterness. Hate destroys your health and steals your happiness. 9) Check with the Master Critic. What does God say? How do things look deep in your soul? 10) When you have checked to make sure you’re right, move ahead. In quiet confidence finish what you started, because God’s promises are to those who endure (see Hebrews 6:12).

‘They shall still bear fruit in old age.’ Psalm 92:14 NKJV

Does the thought of getting older depress you, make you anxious, or make you fatalistic in your outlook? If so, read this: ‘Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing’ (vv. 13-14 NKJV). Even thinking about how we’ll be ten years from now can fill us with anxious thoughts. Here are some ideas of how to stay ‘fresh and flourishing’ as we get older: 1) Guard your health. Studies show that good health is a huge factor in determining our level of happiness as we get older. So try to eat healthy, and exercise as often as you can. Drink lots of water, and take advice from a doctor or medical professional when you need to. All these things can help to improve your quality of life, whatever age you are. 2) Take care of your appearance, but don’t let it control you. When you look good, you feel good – and inspired. But keep your quest for looking good in balance. Remember God’s words to Samuel: ‘The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). Examine your motives and seek God’s advice if you begin to feel that your self-worth is dependent on how you look. You have so many unique and amazing qualities, and looks are really only a tiny part of what makes you you. 3) Look for someone to help. Mother Teresa said, ‘We cannot do great things. We can only do little things with great love.’ You’ll be amazed at the sense of strength, self-worth, and satisfaction you feel when you meet the needs of others. An unknown poet wrote, ‘It’s loving and giving that makes life worth living!’

‘My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.’ Isaiah 65:22 NIV

We live in a society where showing signs of getting older can devastate our self-worth. But you don’t have to be a victim of that value system. ‘As the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands’ (v. 22 NIV). Someone said, ‘Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!’ So, if you’re worrying about getting older and how it could affect the way you view yourself, and how others might see you, keep in mind these points: 1) Build a strong relationship with God. Spend time talking with Him and reading His Word. ‘Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying’ (Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT). 2) Come to grips with the reality of ageing. We’ve been ageing from the moment we were conceived. In fact, on the day we’re born we’re already nine months old. Fretting about getting older is like worrying about the sun going down each day. It’s going to happen, whether we want it to or not. But what we can change is how we use each day we’re given to its full potential. Every morning, try starting your day by announcing, ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it’ (see Psalm 118:24). 3) Always have a goal. It doesn’t have to be something big in the eyes of the world, just something to look forward to doing with your skills and your mind. Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.’ Read, grow, contribute, stay involved, live every day to its full!