Jesus was rich in Heaven, poor on earth, and is rich right now in Heaven. Therefore, someone can be like Jesus whether they are rich or poor. To help you grow as a worshiper with wealth rather than as a worshiper of wealth, five principles are helpful.
1. God takes our worst and gives His best
In coming to the earth and going to the cross, God took our worst (sin) and gave us His best (Son). John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Your wallet is God’s scalpel for heart surgery
Sometimes the fastest way to change your heart is to change your budget, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
3. First fruits grows faith
When we give to God our first and best, we are thanking Him for what we have, prioritizing our lives to be God-centered, and trusting Him to provide for the rest of our needs, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce…” (Proverbs 3:9)
4. You cannot take it with you, but you can send it ahead
All of the things that we own in this life will stay behind when we go to the Kingdom of Heaven. But good stewards can send eternal rewards ahead, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, wheremoth and rustdestroy and where thievesbreak in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
5. Giving is a blessing
Every parent or grandparent who has given a gift to a child knows that they are blessed to watch the child be blessed because giving is a blessing. Christians do not give to get a blessing. Christians give knowing that the blessing is the giving, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). This blessing of giving includes forgiving others as a giver is also a forgiver.
Are you rich or poor? How can you steward your wealth in a way that honors Jesus Christ better in 2023?
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