GIF Self-Interest

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

(Matthew 22:37 NIV)

Self-Interest
by Chuck Bentley

Some people try to manipulate God for great gain, but that doesn’t work. God knows everyone’s heart.

The Book of Acts tells the story of Simon, a professed convert to Christianity, who watched as Peter and John placed their hands on a group of new believers in Samaria. When those believers received the Holy Spirit, Simon offered the apostles money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” He was rebuked by Peter, who answered, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (Acts 8:19-20 NIV).

Today, people still seek to claim God’s unique power for themselves by taking the things God has entrusted to them and using them for their own purposes. As a result, money and possessions that might have been dedicated to God’s eternal Kingdom end up being dedicated to the pursuit of self-gratification in this temporary life.

Paul warned Timothy not to go near people with the wrong attitude about money. Greed is destructive. Not only does it lead people to misuse what God has freely given to them, but it also leads them to believe that what others have should be theirs. Taken to its extreme, this attitude leads to a lack of self-control and will not only harm them but others.

God warned us not to let the love of money fill up our hearts. Don’t associate with people who think money is greater than God. Instead, anticipate Christ’s return and keep God, not money, first in your heart.

Daily Scripture Reading:
2 Samuel 15-17