DCLM Higher Everyday 25 January 2024 — Risk In Lusting After Riches
Topic: Risk In Lusting After Riches
Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-14
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Key Verse: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Message
A Nigerian businessman, on Social Media, lamented his ordeal in the hands of ‘Yahoo boys’ after escaping from their hideout: “Yahoo boys are scammers, who have subjected many people to pains. They are heartless people, who should not be spared by the law.”
Many youths currently wail in jail and some have met untimely death because they want to become instant billionaires by all means. The desire to get rich quick makes them to indulge in many evil practices. A number of them are into ritual murders, robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, prostitution, Internet frauds, etc. There are adults also who engage in corruptive practices because of money. God expects His children to be engaged in productive labour. True riches without sorrow comes from God. Christian youths should not emulate the ungodly means of getting rich lest they end up in sorrows like the ‘Yahoo boys.’ They should rather share the gospel with them. It is only the new birth experience in Christ that can set them free from the love of money and its grievous consequences.
Quote: Be engaged in productive labour
Challenge: True riches without sorrow comes from God.
Prayer for today: Holy Father, lead me into true riches, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
