Sunday, January 3, 2021

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Desires of Our Hearts

In Psalm thirty-seven, the psalmist writes, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

For some, money is often considered their one and only desire. When asked about it, they will remind others that money is essential to living. In fact, some will even use the lyrics from the song, “Money Makes the World Go Around”, from the movie and play, “Cabaret”, as a reminder regarding the need for money.

I agree that money does make the world go around, but when it becomes the focus of one’s existence and heart’s desire, that is when there is a serious issue in that person’s life. When a person begins to focus on money all the time, something happens to them. They become obsessed with money and desire more and more of it. Money has become more than a means to an end. It has become an end in itself. The desire for more gets stronger and stronger. Important things like faith, family and friendship get pushed to the side.

In time, money is all these people can think about. They live to make more and more money and find that they can never have enough of it. When they get even one dollar, they are already looking for the next.

Jesus, in chapter six of the Gospel of Matthew, describes the relation of people and their money, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Money can easily become a master over a person. When we desire more and more money, the pursuit for more consumes us. In time, money enslaves us. We become slaves to money and all of the things we buy. Our possessions soon begin to possess us. If we are Christians and seduced by money, we begin to pray to God for more money. Instead of praying for wisdom or for others, we pray for more money to pay for all of the things we have bought. When we don't get what we desire, we begin to hate God and lash out. It is a never-ending cycle that leads to disappointment and, ultimately, disillusionment.

Even certain evangelists capitalize on our greed. They preach the prosperity gospel and solicit donations in order to get into God’s good graces. Once God has seen our commitment by making a donation to a ministry or church, God will then shower us with more blessings and more money. The money will only keep pouring in if we continue to make donations. Those same churches and ministries demand that individuals tithe in order to remain on God’s good side. 

The problem comes up when those individuals don’t get what they were told they would receive. It doesn’t take much for people to become disillusioned and give up on their faith. Many leave their religion only to seek the next thing that promises fortune and fame.

The author of Hebrews, in chapter thirteen, writes, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”

When you look at your life, do you have your needs met? God loves you and will always provide for your needs and will not forsake you. You have nothing to fear or worry about. God watches over his children like a mother watching over her child. Think about it. If you have all your needs met, what more can you ask for? Some will disguise their desire for more by bargaining with God. They will ask for more and promise to give the excess to the poor and needy. But, remember God sees your heart. 

Instead of bargaining with God or praying for more money or wealth in general, our focus should be on Him at all times. By remaining focused on Him and working to serve not only God but also those in the kingdom, we truly exemplify a Christ-like attitude. Our desire should be serving just as Jesus served others and loving the Lord God with all of our heart, mind and soul.

In Psalm 119, the psalmist writes, “Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!”

This should be our daily prayer. We should pray for that eagerness to serve and follow the example of His son, Christ Jesus. Our love should be for God and not money. When we do these things, we can live fulfilled lives that aren’t filled with greed and the love for money. We can serve the one, true master of our lives and be satisfied with the blessings we have received. Living this way helps us to not only pursue righteousness but also allows us to stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

No comments:

Post a Comment