Daily Devotional

From Poverty to Prosperity

By Dr. Marvin Moss
This week's topic: The Pursuit Of Wealth

Each year there are publications which list some of the richest people in the country. Among them are business people, athletes, entertainers and other entrepreneurs. All claim their spot among the richest people in the country. The media keeps us adequately informed of their wealth as well as their lifestyles. “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” “MTV Cribs,” “BET Backstage Access” – all allow the general public to experience life at this level.

However, we very seldom see or experience the perils that living on this level present. Even in our lives we recount the number of times we have had riches, and then had them not. Some of us today are recounting the “good old days.” We’re lamenting the dollars lost, the deals missed, wondering if we’ll ever see those times again.

I would submit to you that whatever state of life we may find ourselves in right now, the call, the mandate, the necessity of life is that we seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto us.

The Kingdom agenda has already been set. The agenda includes Jesus coming that we might not be lost eternally; Jesus coming that we might have life and have it more abundantly. The kingdom agenda includes God desiring that we prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers. The agenda includes God sanctifying us wholly, body, soul, and spirit; that we might be preserved -- blameless unto the coming of Christ.

We move from poverty to prosperity when we line up with God’s word, God’s will and God’s way.

In Matthew 6:24-33, the overall purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal king. The people at this time were looking for a king primarily to restore them to their rightful place in society; to give them their stuff back; to restore them from a material perspective. Yet this king, this Christ, came that humanity might be restored spiritually.

I would submit that many of us are spiritually bankrupt as well as physically. In our pursuit of wealth, we have slighted the Spirit. When we had, we didn’t honor God with our first fruits. We made vows to God that we broke – if you make this deal go through, I’ll serve you. If you let me get this position, I’ll start tithing. When in fact the blessings of God have nothing to do with us making a deal with him, but everything to do with our hearts desire to serve him. Regardless of what we say with our mouths, God knows the intentions of the heart.

It is in chapter 6 wherein Jesus teaches about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, money and worry. These teachings are all connected because they cause us to examine ourselves and our motives. Jesus wraps his teaching up with worry. How much of our life has been consumed with “worrying” about things and material possessions instead of spiritual alignment with God?

Verse 24 tells us that no one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Verse 25 tells us that we are not to worry about our life. In other words, put faith in action and trust God to produce. Finally, verse 33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto you.

When we seek the Kingdom of God that means that God is in control and we are desirous of pleasing him.

Because God is in control, we are never too busy to pray.
Because God is in control, we know that we cannot serve two masters, nor do we have desire to.
Because God is in control, we know that God is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all that we could ask or think according to the power in us.
Whatever it is, I’m moving from poverty to prosperity.

Scripture Of The Day: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

The Reverend Dr. Marvin Anthony Moss is Senior Pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church. As a “Light in the Community,” Cascade places an emphasis on developing quality programs which nurture children and youth, and teaches the principles of giving time, talents and resources. Since his arrival in June 2006, more than 50 ministries perform…

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