The Wagley GroupJune, 2024 – Faithful Living ~
For the last couple of months, we have been discussing the three pillars of a blessed life. April’s focus was ‘Time’, and May centered around ‘Talents.’ The final triplet this month is ‘Treasure’ in Always Give God Your Best.
Whether in the board room, on the assembly line, seated at the kitchen table, stepping on the field to play a game, running a large corporation or a small one-person proprietor shop…how we view and apply these treasured maxims will define in large measure, the “wholeness” factor of our lives.
The Bible speaks in two Gospels about discovering where your treasure is, and the verses conclude that it is precisely here, where you will pinpoint your very heart as well.
What do we consider valuable? These responses might vary among us depending on our age and circumstances. Some might consider their family members of great worth and some just their next meal. Others might consider their wealth and investment portfolios of immense importance and others, their health. Many believe their careers to be the result of their hard work and effort. They’ve pulled themselves up by their boot straps and some of these people believe they are solely responsible for making success happen.
From the Old Testament: If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 MSG
Then he told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” Luke 12:16-21 MSG
How about this counter by King Solomon, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV.