January 26, 2022
Repent of Your Greed
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Forgiveness
After Jesus addresses requests in prayer, he moves on to repentance. He continues the Lord’s Prayer saying: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.…” (Matthew 6:12). As we focus on witnessing and evangelism, we are boldly calling others to repentance. If we are going to prophetically call for repentance, we must be sure that we also are repenting of our own sins. We must also repent of the sins that keep us from effectively witnessing to those in our circle of influence. Each topic in this section will call for repentance for a common sin. The questions and prayer points in the coming weeks aren’t meant as condemnations or accusations. Rather, they present an opportunity for self-reflection and humility as the Spirit reveals our sins.
1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (ESV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
At the end of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives him some commands concerning the rich people in his congregation. He reminds Timothy that riches do not last. They are here today and gone tomorrow. Pursuing money has no eternal significance and can lead to great pain. Paul also says that money does not bring security. It is God who provides all things, not one’s bank account. Instead of living for money, Paul instructs Timothy and his congregation to live and spend for the coming age.
Very few people think that they are rich. We think that rich people are “those” people, the ones with the nicer car and the bigger house. But compared to the course of human history, most Americans are extremely wealthy. The Bible never says that being rich is a sin, but God is very clear about how we are to think about and use money. Money is to be used for the coming kingdom. We are to take this temporary wealth and turn it into eternal riches.
Not all, or even most, people are called to go overseas as missionaries. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take part in the work through our giving. Most missionaries are serving overseas with financial support. We can partner with them through our generosity and our willingness to share what God has provided for us.
Consider:
Prayer Points
Lord’s Prayer Focus: The Father’s Forgiveness
After Jesus addresses requests in prayer, he moves on to repentance. He continues the Lord’s Prayer saying: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.…” (Matthew 6:12). As we focus on witnessing and evangelism, we are boldly calling others to repentance. If we are going to prophetically call for repentance, we must be sure that we also are repenting of our own sins. We must also repent of the sins that keep us from effectively witnessing to those in our circle of influence. Each topic in this section will call for repentance for a common sin. The questions and prayer points in the coming weeks aren’t meant as condemnations or accusations. Rather, they present an opportunity for self-reflection and humility as the Spirit reveals our sins.
1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (ESV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
At the end of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives him some commands concerning the rich people in his congregation. He reminds Timothy that riches do not last. They are here today and gone tomorrow. Pursuing money has no eternal significance and can lead to great pain. Paul also says that money does not bring security. It is God who provides all things, not one’s bank account. Instead of living for money, Paul instructs Timothy and his congregation to live and spend for the coming age.
Very few people think that they are rich. We think that rich people are “those” people, the ones with the nicer car and the bigger house. But compared to the course of human history, most Americans are extremely wealthy. The Bible never says that being rich is a sin, but God is very clear about how we are to think about and use money. Money is to be used for the coming kingdom. We are to take this temporary wealth and turn it into eternal riches.
Not all, or even most, people are called to go overseas as missionaries. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take part in the work through our giving. Most missionaries are serving overseas with financial support. We can partner with them through our generosity and our willingness to share what God has provided for us.
Consider:
- Do you know any missionaries?
- If so, have you considered supporting them financially?
- Are you pursuing heavenly riches?
Prayer Points
- Repent of any love of money in your own heart.
- Repent if you have been more concerned about money on this earth than the riches in heaven.
Posted in 2022 Prayer and Fasting