Lately, I have been feeling very burdened by this world—especially the church and church leaders.
I’ve been watching countless videos where Christian leaders and their lavish lifestyles were being broadcasted all over different news outlets.
My heart began to grieve as I pondered: What are we doing with the time Jesus has given us? As the church, are we being a light for Jesus or are we ruining our witness by being entangled with the things of this world?
If we are not of this world (John 17:16), then why do we love it so much?
Money is not the issue; the love of money is.
In Matthew 19: 20-21, a young man earnestly asked Jesus, “What do I still lack?” To which Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The Bible continued by stating, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).
Jesus is not asking us to literally sell everything we have and give it to the poor; instead, He wants us to have a heart so liberated from the things of this world that we care more about what we can give rather than what we can attain for ourselves.
Is it wrong to have nice things? No. But don’t let it take up residence in your heart and thus begin to dominate your life.
It is unfortunate that many false teachers are preaching a gospel that is contrary to the real one. God never promised prosperity (great material possessions); He did however, promise eternal life to those who believe in Him (Romans 10:9).
I believe the church is losing its eternal perspective. We are living in a generation of “more”—more money, more followers, more power, and more status-- when in reality-- God is calling us to a life that is filled with “more” of Him.
A life with “more” of Jesus is a life filled with humility, love, generosity, and sacrifice. The apostle Paul said it best, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7).
Prayer:
Lord, I repent.
I repent of the ways in which I have loved the things of this world more than I have loved you.
Forgive me for loving my comfort, security, and possessions. I admit that I’ve been wanting to glorify myself more than wanting to glorify the One who deserves all of the honor and praise.
I ask that you keep me humbled, keep me dependent on You, and keep my eyes fixed on You—the Author and Finisher of my faith.
Mold me, reshape me, use me, and make me more and more into your image. I know that the pain, suffering, and trials that I am currently experiencing is helping me to become the person that you have called me to be; a man/woman filled with integrity, compassion, and love for God and others. I don’t need more of this world, I need more of you. You are the only One who can save me, redeem me, heal me, and restore me. I put you back in your rightful place, and I invite you to have your way in and through my life.
Amen.
Love, Nikki