September 3 devotional

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 “Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth- except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!”

Observation

America has bought into the lie that money will make you happy. We live for the new car, extra square feet in our house, the retirement account, etc. Our God is the dollar. We believe the more we have the happier we will be. The writer of Ecclesiastes has got it right. No matter how much you have, it will never be enough. You will always want more. Why? Money and things cannot make you happy. A new car will get old. A house is not a home. Money will not fulfill your desires over the long term. Wealth is not what makes us happy. It is relationships that satisfy the soul.

Application

1) I need to learn to be content. I can be content in the home that I have. I can be content with the salary I make. I can be content with the car I drive.

2) I need to live within my means. I cannot spend more money than I make. It leads to disaster. I have to live within my means. I live on a budget. I do not buy what I cannot afford. I do not borrow money but save for purchases. If I cannot afford it, I do without. My basic needs are being met. Everything else is a want. I can learn to live without it. I can save for it but I do not live beyond my means.

Prayer

I realize that money and possessions will not satisfy my soul. Only you can. I have an inner longing for my God. I have a hole in my spirit that only you can fill. I want Jesus more than worldly wealth. I want to be wealthy with God. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be a man of God. I want to advance your kingdom on this earth. I want a loving family and friends. I desire to serve others and reach lost people for Jesus. That is my purpose on this earth. That is what I want to invest my life in.