Futility Of Chasing Wealth
Sunday, August 3
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 13-14; 2:18-23
The phrase “vanity of vanities” in today’s passage conveys the idea that life is meaningless and futile in worldly pursuits. Apart from God, our life, thoughts, and worldly possessions are meaningless and empty.
Solomon had it all at his fingertips. Yet he found that chasing worldly goods amounts to nothing. The things of this world add nothing to the meaning of life. Yet a person’s life can be filled with meaning when the decision is made to be satisfied with God’s provision. Even Solomon’s wisdom did not provide him with meaning and purpose when he practiced it without his Creator.
We learn from the Scripture that whoever loves money and possessions never has enough. Wealth for its own sake leads to emptiness and lack of purpose. We can have peace with God and our neighbor when our priorities are in God’s order. God’s order exists for our good, and he desires relationship with us. Following his order ensures a life filled with purpose and meaning. God sets us apart to be his people when we believe.
Gracious Father, please strengthen me to seek after you and find your meaning, purpose, and peace in my life. Amen.
Eternal Investment
Monday, August 4
Luke 12:13-21
Jesus tells us in this parable how to be rich toward God. “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions,” he says (v. 15, NRSVUE).
This parable is not just about being rich—it conveys the idea that the man hoarded and pursued riches for his own security. He was seeking a life of ease. In reality, we can only be rich toward God one way: by investing in spiritual wealth that lasts forever. Being a good steward is giving and sharing what God has given us with others who have needs. Greed and storing up wealth is sinful behavior and will lead to our demise.
All we have comes from God. Our real wealth is eternal and is in the form of treasure we store up in heaven. Our checkbook will reveal where our riches are being spent. Stewardship of the gifts we have been given by God can be used for eternal investment. Let us ask God to give us assignments of eternal investment.
Dear Father, I acknowledge you as the Giver of my life and possessions. I long to be your good steward and to bless others as I have been blessed. Amen.
True Riches
Tuesday, August 5
Psalm 49:1-12
This passage is about a riddle, a question. Why does God allow the rich to oppress the poor? To answer this question is a struggle. God’s ways are higher than our ways, and he uses hard things to bring judgment on his enemies and to teach us the lessons we need to learn.
The rich trust in their possessions and boast about what they have. They don’t share with others in their time of need. When they trust in their wealth, they do not understand that wealth is temporal and will pass away. In this way, the rich lack real understanding. Wealth and riches can provide a false sense of security and will soon pass away. The rich oppress the poor, but one day they will give an account to God for their actions.
True riches can only be found in God. True riches are calling a lonely friend, sending a card, reading God’s Word, visiting the sick, and praying for a lost soul. We are building a kingdom that will last forever.
Heavenly Father, thank you for life and for your gifts. I trust in you and I know true riches are found in you alone. Please give me divine appointments that build up real wealth in your kingdom. Amen.
The Uncertainty Of Wealth
Wednesday, August 6
Psalm 49:13-20
Trusting in riches alone leads to death. It is foolish to have confidence in worldly possessions. God is the only One who can ransom a soul. He is the ultimate Redeemer. Whatever possessions we have in this life, we cannot take them with us. When we become proud, we are like the beasts that perish (v. 20).
Our trust in God brings understanding and life in abundance. He provides for us and never leaves or forsakes us. One day he will come and surely take us to be with him. He is a covenant-keeping God of promises. Our worldly possessions are uncertain, but God’s provision is sure.
In Genesis 15:1, God says, “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Have you thanked God for being your reward? He fills up our hearts so that we have no need for anything else. Earthly rewards are uncertain and do not last. God’s kingdom can begin now and last throughout eternity. Our eternal wealth is guaranteed. What a blessing!
Dear Lord, earthly riches will pass away, but your love endures forever. Thank you for loving me and for providing for my needs. Amen.
Unity In Christ
Thursday, August 7
Colossians 3:1-11
A lifelong pattern for those who follow Christ is to focus our mind on things above (v. 1). We set our thoughts and emotions on spiritual things. When we focus on earthly concerns, we are less able to resist evil and sin. The way God provides for us to resist evil is to put to death our earthly nature: “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry)” (v. 5, NRSVU). Our focus is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). We die to the old self and put on the new self. We become transformed in his image. Christ is our all in all. He came to bring unity with him and with others.
The writer of Hebrews says that faith is required to please God (11:6). We must trust and seek him diligently like digging for hidden treasure. We walk with Jesus and we become like him. As we are transformed, he draws us together in unity and love, fulfilling the purpose for his coming to earth.
Dear Jesus, you have provided what we need to resist the enemy and our evil lusts. Help me to resist the enemy by being like you as we walk in unity and love. Amen.
Clothes For God’s Chosen People
Friday, August 8
Colossians 3:12-14
Paul calls us to put on as chosen people of Christ “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (v. 12, NRSVU). We bear each other’s burdens and edify one another. We forgive our neighbor as Jesus forgives us.
The important piece of clothing we put on is to bind it all up in love and perfect unity. We do not just set aside our old ways, but we put on new ways of living every day. The analogy of putting on clothes means we identify with Jesus as his chosen people. Living each day in obedience and submission to him guards us against the enemy. Paul writes, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14). When we take on the name of Jesus, he adopts us into his kingdom. The spiritual clothes we put on make us real for God.
Lord Jesus, I want to be like you. Help me in my daily choices to put on the new clothes you have given me. I long to be a light in the world being an example of love, peace, and unity. Amen.
Wandering In Worldliness
Saturday, August 9
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
The psalm is about wanderers lost in a desert of their own making of loneliness, futility, and wealth that never satisfies. They search for hope and are not able to find their way back home. God gave them a choice, but in their rebellion, they made unwise decisions. They turned away so many times that their freedom to choose is taken away. They become prisoners in bondage, crying out for deliverance. In their folly, they don’t see the One who could save them and fill their emptiness.
Today we search for things in the world that do not satisfy. We do not know how to be content. Being content offers freedom to be “rich in good works” (1 Timothy 6:18) and to lay a foundation for eternity. Our wealth is found in Christ alone. Are we content in him? A life can be wasted in the wandering. The truth is we have all we need in him.
Heavenly Father, I bow before you, bringing my choices to you for your righteous and holy guidance. Let me not forget that you are my home, and I am safe in your care. Amen.
