Monday, October 2, 2017 For The Love (Of Money): The Discipline of Simplicity, Part 2—What the Bible Says (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Good morning! I pray this finds you blessed. Hugs and prayers for you today!

Monday, October 2, 2017

For The Love (Of Money): The Discipline of Simplicity, Part 2—What the Bible Says (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture:

Psalm 62:10b (NKJV)

If riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Proverbs 11:28 (NKJV)

He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

Luke 16:13 (NKJV)

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Luke 6:20, 24 (NKJV)

²⁰ Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,
    For yours is the kingdom of God.

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich,
    For you have received your consolation.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:15 (NKJV)

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Matt 13:45-46 (NKJV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, ⁴⁶ who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Luke 6:30(NKJV)

Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Devotional:

What a rich and convicting, and ultimately freeing, section on the discipline of simplicity today! As I take this time to share my heart, I want to first express that the next segment on simplicity will address the immense heart of God to bless His children. We aren’t called to live in lack or scraping the bottom of the barrel in life.

However, as Pastor Foster shares, it is too easy for believers to be lulled into thinking that it is OK to pursue riches as our aim in life. It is a constant temptation in our world and culture to place more value on what we are achieving and what we have accumulated than on what God values. It is deeply convicting to face the truth that the Bible does not support this culture. A simplicity of living provides freedom from slavery to material goods, and gives us the focus we need to be available to answer God’s call to generosity, caring for the poor and disenfranchised, and generally loving our world.

I desire to live this way. God is good to bring us to a cycling place of increased dependence on Him, and this time in the Word about living simply and keeping our focus on the Lord is a blessing. Will you join me in seeking the Lord for ways to be more mindful and focused on what matters to him, and releasing any grip on achievement as a foundation for worth?

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

Father, I thank You for Who You are. I love You, and desire above all to lift You up, Lord.

Confession:

I confess (name area of sin or struggle. For me today: I confess that I focus too much on my personal success or failure as a measure of my own value. Forgive me for believing this lie, Lord. Help me to see Your heart here, and to serve only You.)

Supplication:

I ask that You will continually grow my understanding of the need for a simple life. Keep Your truth in front of me so that I do not slip into habits that are destructive to me or detrimental to this pursuit. Change me in any way I need to change to have a right perspective on the simple life.

Intercession:

God, I lift my children. I ask that You will eradicate any entitlement lurking in their hearts. Help me to be a light to them, and not to spoil them or give into demanding or selfish attitudes. (Journal needs for each, making note of victories and progress. Chloe today: I see her focus on things and wants, and I ask that You will get to the heart of it, Lord. Show me how I can encourage her heart to be toward simplicity. Give me creative ideas for nurturing a giving heart over a selfish heart. For Christian: he has been feeling sick again, and having problems with incontinence. Please heal his body. Also help him to catch on to using the toilet.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

Lord, I thank You for this time with You. You are a blessing in our home. I am so grateful, Lord, that I can come to You. You are worthy of praise! Seal this time and use it for Your glory. Let Your kingdom be real in our home.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.