Wealth, Fame, and Faith

Don’t Be Enticed by Flashy Lights, the Lifestyle of the rich and famous. The devil will temp in every way with glitz and glam. He’ll present to you a beautiful picture of how you can have more. But is that God’s plan? You might have a back up plan but what if God’s plan is so much better. His ways are higher than our ways. Just because we don’t understand it or know all the details doesn’t mean it won’t be better!

Money is the solution to many problems. It only becomes a problem when we are given over to the love of money. Just as it describes in 1st Timothy 6:9-10 “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”. I’m in no way against wealth. God wants his people blessed. Your motives must be right, and the blessing will follow. You must ask is it the right opportunity and are there strings attached?

We all want more in life, more income, more time, financial freedom, freedom in our minds, and more time with loved ones. Jesus is the source of all these things. Lately I’ve found myself pondering past opportunities, and what the present opportunities are for more streams of income. I’ve felt the desire to do more for the Kingdom of God, and to have more income to fund the Kingdom. To steward well and send my money on assignment. It says in Romans 8:27 “And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes before God on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will. God knows our hearts best, and he knows the best plan. He knows and holds our destiny.

So, God knows I’m searching for more, and he wants to stir us in the right direction. As I read a devo from my bible app yesterday. God began to line up all the scriptures for me. The best financial advice, the warning of wealth, and the how serving God can bring abundant blessings. I’ve read the scripture in Romans 8:8 the one that says to owe no man nothing. I’ve heard Kenneth and Gloria Copeland quote a lot in their personal testimonies. But then this devo pointed out another one with so much wisdom. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is a slave of the lender”. Long story short it talked about with those in the bible owed debts that they have to serve as a slave for their debtor. Or even end up in prison for their debts. Today’s punishment might not be a brick-and-mortar punishment for debt. But it talked about how we become enslaved by plastic speaking of our credit cards. This was so good.

I’d never quite seen it this way before. Plus, that the punishment wasn’t physical but mental. We become stressed, depressed, and bogged down mentally. It was definitely an eye opener for how we can be enslaved by debt. I’ve seen it before in my own finances how all your money can go to creditors plus interest with little to none left over. But God has a better way and that’s the kingdom way. My pastor has preached for years on how giving is God’s economy, and we can’t out give Him. Giving in this devo said it breaks the enslavement that money can have over us. Which I’m a firm believer in. It might have been rough at the start but once I became faithful in my giving things began to move. Cards got paid off, and money increased. Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing.

Then after that I looked up some of the scriptures and God directed me to Proverbs 23: 4 “Do not weary yourself with the overwhelming desire to gain wealth; cease from your own understanding of it. “Which tells me we may not have the wisdom or the answers but God does. The blessing for wealth comes from God alone the creator of all things. But in Proverbs 28:20 says it this way “Committed and persistent work pays off. Get rich quick schemes are rip offs.” MSG. The best wealth doesn’t happen overnight. But if we stay committed, and persistent in the calling that God has on our life he will bless it. If we step out in faith not knowing all the steps God will direct. He has a special purpose for us all. I feel God continuing to reel me in as I ponder the opportunities. If he changed the course of our direction, it’s only for our protection. As RTK would put it. We may not know or understand the Why but its for our best interest.

As I go back and forth in my mind and my heart plays tug of war with this decision. God reminded me that Riches can disappear in the blink of an eye Proverbs 23:5. I don’t want to be like the one that is tempted with all the glitz and glam. Yet falling into temptation, traps, destruction, and finding that I’m far from my faith. That I didn’t stop from all the spinning strobe lights, the music, and mixed wine to talk to Jesus. To remember that all we have is because of him. And ultimately falling short of a relationship with a man named Jesus.

In Proverbs 23:17 God reminds “Do not envy sinners who live Godless lives and have no hope in salvation, but continue to live in the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord day by day.” Most people are searching to fill a void. They often choose to do so with glitz, glam, money, drinks, and music. Even if they have all the money in the world at the end of the day if they have no relationship with the father, they still haven’t filled that void. Parties, and mixed wine won’t fill the void with happiness. Only Jesus can. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? As Jesus asks in the bible.

Through the interpretation of the Holy Spirit, he began to speak “Many seek glamorous lifestyles and are tempted by flashy platforms, and fame. But they have strayed from the road of righteousness. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” I felt this strongly in the spirit. Not that he doesn’t want us blessed. Rather than chasing the idol of what money can do for us. Chase the face of the creator of it! The blessing will follow. In Matt 6:33 KJV “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Seek him first, and he will bless whatever the hand touches. He is the giver of every idea that brings wealth. And lastly Proverbs 23: 13 “Apply your heart to discipline, and your ears to words of knowledge.”

Also, I was meditating on what it means to stray from the path of righteousness. Not just sinning and fallen from the righteous path. But being in the will of God, and not going by the way of the flesh. Sometimes the flesh will lead us to sin and destruction which isn’t the will of God for our lives.  But knowing like David that God will never lead us into sin or inequity. To be sensitive of the Holy Spirits guidance, and to go in the will of the father. To heed the warnings of direction and choose with wisdom the will of God. Not my will but thy will be done. Make sure that it’s the calling that God is leading you in, and not just something that is convenient.  He has the better plan! He desires to give us a hope and a future. Summed up from Jeremiah 29:11. 

Some areas are not our calling and were meant to be distractions of the enemy. To steal our piece and derail our destiny.  Don’t be enticed with the shiny things, the glitz and glamour. But remain steadfast in the faith. Trusting Gods plan for our futures. 

I felt that this should definitely be shared in some way. It has been the things God has laid on my heart and has been speaking about.  I felt it best to write it in this post. I pray these words bless your heart today. Be encouraged in all circumstances God is at work. We may not see it, but He is always at work behind the scenes. Press into to all he has for you! He will guide and complete the work he’s began in you. Blessings!