February 24-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 158, Week 8, Day 1: It comes down to a decision of faith that God places in our hearts. Will we choose money or Him? Money is tangible. We can hold it, see it, count it, look at numbers going up or down. Our faith in God is not something we can physically hold or touch. There’s no way of quantifying our love and trust in Him. That’s why it’s called faith. We trust that He keeps His promise to provide every good and perfect thing we need. We trust He is our loving Father who is involved in every detail of our lives and holds us in the palm of His hand. If our hearts are not right and are focused inward rather than on God, the way we handle money will reflect that. Jesus talks about money to teach us how to use it and the place it should have. He warns us not to live for money. It should never take priority over our relationships with God or others.
Relate it to your life.
Money is a tool in my hands in which I am trusted and tested to see how what I will do with it.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom and humility to handle well the gifts You have entrusted to me. Amen.”
February 25-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 162, Week 8, Day 2: God is the Source, Provider, Creator, and the Owner and Investor who entrusts us with worldly wealth. Understanding that God is the true owner of your money is the first principle of managing it well, and understanding what it means to be a good steward is second. We are merely charged to take care of God’s possessions. Our role is to wisely manage and invest on God’s behalf all the wealth He gives us. This means we need to treat the money we handle-paychecks, gifts, inheritances, etc.-wisely, and use it to accomplish God’s purposes. With this perspective, our money management becomes clearer. When we choose to handle money God’s way, things that used to be difficult become a little bit easier-things like budgeting, saving, giving, and making wiser financial decisions.
Relate it to your life.
I am one of many money managers of God’s vast wealth.
Do something.
“Father, help me to believe Your word that You own it all so I will be a faithful steward of all You place in my hands. Amen.”
February 26-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 166, Week 8, Day 3: Let’s begin by clarifying a misconception. Sometimes when an offering is about to be taken at church, people will often say, “Let’s give back a portion of what God has given to us.” This is bad theology. Remember, we already said that God owns it all. It’s hard to give back something to someone who already owns it. Rather, what we should understand is that as God’s money managers, there is a portion He wants us to invest in His kingdom work in the world. This is money we give to churches or other Christian organizations for the expressed purpose of spreading the love and truth of Jesus to those in and out of the church. Giving in this way allows us to invest in eternity.
Relate it to your life.
It’s exciting to think that God entrusts me with His wealth to invest in various Kingdom causes!
Do something.
“Father, please help me be a faithful and wise money manager of all You have entrusted to me. Amen.”
February 27-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Proverbs 22:7, The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 170, Week 8, Day 4: The Bible is clear: do not accumulate debt. While many financial counselors will make exceptions for a mortgage payment or college debt (in both cases the debt is seen as a conservative financial investment for the future), the bottom line is that we should see debt as the enemy. Earlier in the week we touched on how living beyond our means is a sing of a discontent and ungrateful heart. If we really believe God provides for all our needs, and blesses us beyond measure, we wouldn’t spend more than we have. People with content hearts don’t live in want of more. They live in a state of “I have enough,” and therefore don’t take out loans for things they can’t afford, or use credit cards for purchases outside of their budget. Money does not create contentment.
Relate it to your life.
My spending is a spiritual reflection of my heart.
Do something.
“Father, give me that deep spiritual contentment that is only found in my relationship with You who richly provides all I need. Amen.”
February 28-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Proverbs 23:4-5, Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 174, Week 8, Day 5: Scripture is full of examples where God blessed His people when they chose to trust Him. It is also filled with numerous warnings against placing our trust in temporal objects such as money. Still, many of us are quick to think the only way to become financially secure is to accumulate enough wealth to somehow become immune to all the possible trials that life may throw our way. Using this line of thinking, money can sometimes give us the illusion of security as our Scripture indicates. This is not to say that saving and planning are not important, or God disapproves of anyone who seeks financial freedom. Scripture clearly teaches it is wise to plan, save, and diligently work towards goals God leads us to pursue.
Relate it to your life.
My only security for the future is found in Jesus Christ.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom to walk the line of planning for my future without trusting in my wealth. Amen.”
March 1-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Malachi 3:8-12, “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 175, Week 8, Day 5: This whole passage is powerful and speaks to the wisdom of trusting in God with our finances, but I especially love the last phrase, “for yours will be a delightful land.” Whether it is a nation, a church, a family, or person, there is something so delightful about those who trust in God and understand who ultimately responsible for their security and provision. These persons can live worry-free and be generous with their resources.
Relate it to your life.
I want to be this person!
Do something
“Father, I surrender my all to You. I give You my fear of the future and my anxiety for today. Amen.”
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 158, Week 8, Day 1: It comes down to a decision of faith that God places in our hearts. Will we choose money or Him? Money is tangible. We can hold it, see it, count it, look at numbers going up or down. Our faith in God is not something we can physically hold or touch. There’s no way of quantifying our love and trust in Him. That’s why it’s called faith. We trust that He keeps His promise to provide every good and perfect thing we need. We trust He is our loving Father who is involved in every detail of our lives and holds us in the palm of His hand. If our hearts are not right and are focused inward rather than on God, the way we handle money will reflect that. Jesus talks about money to teach us how to use it and the place it should have. He warns us not to live for money. It should never take priority over our relationships with God or others.
Relate it to your life.
Money is a tool in my hands in which I am trusted and tested to see how what I will do with it.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom and humility to handle well the gifts You have entrusted to me. Amen.”
February 25-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted pages 162, Week 8, Day 2: God is the Source, Provider, Creator, and the Owner and Investor who entrusts us with worldly wealth. Understanding that God is the true owner of your money is the first principle of managing it well, and understanding what it means to be a good steward is second. We are merely charged to take care of God’s possessions. Our role is to wisely manage and invest on God’s behalf all the wealth He gives us. This means we need to treat the money we handle-paychecks, gifts, inheritances, etc.-wisely, and use it to accomplish God’s purposes. With this perspective, our money management becomes clearer. When we choose to handle money God’s way, things that used to be difficult become a little bit easier-things like budgeting, saving, giving, and making wiser financial decisions.
Relate it to your life.
I am one of many money managers of God’s vast wealth.
Do something.
“Father, help me to believe Your word that You own it all so I will be a faithful steward of all You place in my hands. Amen.”
February 26-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 166, Week 8, Day 3: Let’s begin by clarifying a misconception. Sometimes when an offering is about to be taken at church, people will often say, “Let’s give back a portion of what God has given to us.” This is bad theology. Remember, we already said that God owns it all. It’s hard to give back something to someone who already owns it. Rather, what we should understand is that as God’s money managers, there is a portion He wants us to invest in His kingdom work in the world. This is money we give to churches or other Christian organizations for the expressed purpose of spreading the love and truth of Jesus to those in and out of the church. Giving in this way allows us to invest in eternity.
Relate it to your life.
It’s exciting to think that God entrusts me with His wealth to invest in various Kingdom causes!
Do something.
“Father, please help me be a faithful and wise money manager of all You have entrusted to me. Amen.”
February 27-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Proverbs 22:7, The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 170, Week 8, Day 4: The Bible is clear: do not accumulate debt. While many financial counselors will make exceptions for a mortgage payment or college debt (in both cases the debt is seen as a conservative financial investment for the future), the bottom line is that we should see debt as the enemy. Earlier in the week we touched on how living beyond our means is a sing of a discontent and ungrateful heart. If we really believe God provides for all our needs, and blesses us beyond measure, we wouldn’t spend more than we have. People with content hearts don’t live in want of more. They live in a state of “I have enough,” and therefore don’t take out loans for things they can’t afford, or use credit cards for purchases outside of their budget. Money does not create contentment.
Relate it to your life.
My spending is a spiritual reflection of my heart.
Do something.
“Father, give me that deep spiritual contentment that is only found in my relationship with You who richly provides all I need. Amen.”
February 28-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Proverbs 23:4-5, Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, pages 174, Week 8, Day 5: Scripture is full of examples where God blessed His people when they chose to trust Him. It is also filled with numerous warnings against placing our trust in temporal objects such as money. Still, many of us are quick to think the only way to become financially secure is to accumulate enough wealth to somehow become immune to all the possible trials that life may throw our way. Using this line of thinking, money can sometimes give us the illusion of security as our Scripture indicates. This is not to say that saving and planning are not important, or God disapproves of anyone who seeks financial freedom. Scripture clearly teaches it is wise to plan, save, and diligently work towards goals God leads us to pursue.
Relate it to your life.
My only security for the future is found in Jesus Christ.
Do something.
“Father, give me wisdom to walk the line of planning for my future without trusting in my wealth. Amen.”
March 1-A Taste of Rooted
Write out the Scripture.
Malachi 3:8-12, “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Observe what it is saying.
Rooted, page 175, Week 8, Day 5: This whole passage is powerful and speaks to the wisdom of trusting in God with our finances, but I especially love the last phrase, “for yours will be a delightful land.” Whether it is a nation, a church, a family, or person, there is something so delightful about those who trust in God and understand who ultimately responsible for their security and provision. These persons can live worry-free and be generous with their resources.
Relate it to your life.
I want to be this person!
Do something
“Father, I surrender my all to You. I give You my fear of the future and my anxiety for today. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals