Topic: Learn to live a balanced life
Bible Reading: Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 8
Memory verse: “Two things have I required of thee, deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me” Proverbs 30:7-8 (KJV)
Poverty and riches are present in the world today. They are outcomes of choices made in the course of our lives or situations man find himself as a result of nature. However, irrespective of the situation, poverty is never from God and He always delights in turning around the fortunes of any who have decided to walk with Him.
Every father will like his children to do well in life. God is no different; He wants the best for all his children. He has made provisions for everyone and everything; even the birds of the air, the animals in the forest and the fishes in the seas are all being taken care of on a daily basis by Him. Man is the most important of all His creation, created in His image and likeness, and always in His mind. He wants the best for him and gave him dominion over all His creations.
From experiences over the years, humans tend to abandon their worship of the Father whenever they appear to be full and blessed especially in material riches. In Deuteronomy 8:11-12,14 (KJV) Moses warned, “Beware that thou forget not the LORD, in not keeping his commandments, and his statutes and his judgements which I command thee this day: [12] Lest when thou has eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; [14] then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God…” Jesus saw this while on earth and told His disciples, “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:23
This is the reality in the world today. Man tends to find comfort in material riches and departing from the God who gives true comfort. We are here to be prepared for a better life. Poverty is not from God but He would not want riches to take you outside His plan for your life. No wonder, the memory verse of today points to a balance in the things of life: : “Two things have I required of thee, deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me” Proverbs 30:7-8 (KJV) A balanced life is one lived with eternity in view and glorifying God in the present in all things, whether in riches or in poverty like the church in Macedonia did, where they gave beyond themselves even in the midst of their poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2-4). This they did by first giving themselves to God (2 Corinthians 8:5). Submit your heart to God and you will live a balanced life effortlessly.
Prayer: Father help me to live a life that places your will for me above all other distractions that comes from this present world.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu