Key Passage
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” 17 Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. 20 The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” 22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
– MATTHEW 19:16
LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE HAS AN ACCURATE VALUE OF MONEY
12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, and gave them ten minas [one apiece, each equal to about a hundred days’ wages] and said to them, ‘Do business [with this] until I return.’
– LUKE 19:12
1. OVERVALUING FINANCIAL CAPITAL
22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
– MATTHEW 19:22
21 Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].
– MATTHEW 19:21
2. DEVALUING FINANCIAL CAPITAL
19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.
– ECCLESIASTES 5:19
9 But those who [are not financially ethical and] crave to get rich [with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction [leading to personal misery]. 10 For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.
– 1 TIMOTHY 6:9
LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE FINANCIALLY IS ONLY FOUND IN JESUS
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
– PHILIPPIANS 4:11
TRUTH: THERE IS A LIFE OF WEALTH AND PROSPERITY GOD HAS FOR YOU FAR BEYOND MONEY
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVATION:
LET’S GET IT STRAIGHT
READ: MATTHEW 19:16-22
- LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE HAS A HEALTHY VIEW OF THE VALUE OF MONEY
READ: LUKE 19:12-13; MATTHEW 19:22; MATTHEW 19:21; ECCLESIASTES 5:19; 1 TIMOTHY 6:9-10
ASK:
Do I have an accurate and healthy view of the value of money?
- LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE FINANCIALLY IS ONLY FOUND IN JESUS
READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13
ASK:
Do I rely more on money or more on Jesus to sustain my peace, joy and salvation?
PRAY:
Jesus, thank you for your grace for me to live the good life. Forgive me for missing what matters most. Today, I commit to keeping money in its proper place and use to invest in the other areas of my life.
Amen!