Surrendering Wealth: Trusting God for True Riches

Devotional

Day 1: The Heart of True Surrender

Surrendering to God involves more than just giving up material possessions; it requires letting go of pride, desires, and past hurts. This act of surrender is a profound heart posture that prioritizes God's will over personal ambitions. The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 illustrates the difficulty of this surrender, as he walked away sorrowful when asked to give up his wealth. True surrender is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's purposes, challenging believers to examine what they hold dear and whether they are willing to let it go for the sake of their relationship with God. [29:28]

"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (John 12:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Wealth as a Tool, Not a Measure

Wealth is not inherently evil; it is a tool that can be used for good or ill. The key is how it is used and whether it becomes an idol in one's life. Jesus emphasized that material success should not be the measure of one's relationship with God. Instead, obedience and trust in Him are the true indicators of spiritual health. The misconception that wealth is a sign of God's favor was prevalent in Jesus' time and continues today, but the focus should be on using resources for God's purposes rather than personal gain. [50:32]

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it." (Proverbs 15:16, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current financial situation. How can you use your resources, no matter how limited or abundant, to serve God's purposes today?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Provision

God is our ultimate provider, and our security should be in Him, not in our possessions. The story of George Mueller, who relied solely on prayer for the needs of his orphanage, exemplifies how God can meet our needs when we rely on Him through prayer and faith. This trust in God's provision challenges believers to shift their focus from material security to spiritual reliance, recognizing that God is faithful and will provide for their needs as they seek His kingdom first. [01:01:08]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice trusting God more with your daily needs, rather than relying solely on your own efforts and resources?

Day 4: The Cost of Obedience

God often asks us to do things that cost us something, whether it be time, money, or personal desires. These moments test where our heart truly lies and whether we trust God more than our possessions. Obedience to God requires a willingness to let go of personal attachments and trust that He will provide for us as we live generously. This obedience is a testament to our faith and commitment to God's kingdom, challenging us to prioritize His will over our own. [01:18:17]

"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt God was asking you to step out in faith. How did you respond, and what might it look like to choose obedience in similar situations in the future?

Day 5: Living Generously for the Kingdom

We are called to use our resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom. This requires a willingness to let go of our attachments and trust that God will provide for us as we live generously. The call to generosity is not just about financial giving but also about sharing time, talents, and love with those around us. By living generously, believers can reflect God's love and grace, impacting the world for His kingdom and demonstrating the transformative power of a surrendered life. [01:20:45]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one practical way you can be generous with your time, talents, or resources this week. How can this act of generosity reflect God's love to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound theme of surrender and the true meaning of wealth in the context of our spiritual journey. The question posed was whether we can genuinely sing "I Surrender All" and mean it, surrendering not just our material possessions but also our pride, desires, and even our hurts. This theme was illustrated through the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, who asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus' response was not about the deeds or wealth but about the heart's posture towards God. The young man's sorrowful departure after Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and follow Him highlights the challenge of letting go of earthly attachments for heavenly treasures.

We delved into the misconception that wealth is a sign of God's favor, a belief prevalent in Jesus' time and still echoed today. However, Jesus emphasized that wealth is not inherently evil; rather, it is the love of money and the unwillingness to use it for God's purposes that can lead us astray. The story of the rich man and Lazarus further illustrated that it is not wealth that separates us from God but the lack of a relationship with Him.

The message also touched on the importance of obedience and trust in God, especially when it comes to our resources. We were reminded that God is our ultimate provider, and our security should not be in our possessions but in Him. The story of George Mueller, who relied solely on prayer for the needs of his orphanage, serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness.

Ultimately, the call is to examine where our heart truly lies. Are we willing to surrender all to God, trusting Him with our lives and resources? The challenge is to live a life of generosity, using what God has given us to bless others and advance His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. True Surrender: Surrendering to God means letting go of not just material possessions but also our pride, desires, and hurts. It is a heart posture that prioritizes God's will over our own. This surrender is not easy, but it is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God's purposes. [29:28]
2. Wealth and Spirituality: Wealth is not inherently evil; it is a tool that can be used for good or ill. The key is how we use it and whether we allow it to become an idol in our lives. Our relationship with God should not be measured by our material success but by our obedience and trust in Him. [50:32]
3. God's Provision: God is our ultimate provider, and our security should be in Him, not in our possessions. The story of George Mueller exemplifies how God can meet our needs when we rely on Him through prayer and faith. [61:08]
4. Obedience and Trust: God often asks us to do things that cost us something, whether it be time, money, or personal desires. These moments test where our heart truly lies and whether we trust God more than our possessions. [78:17]
5. Generosity and Kingdom Living: We are called to use our resources to bless others and advance God's kingdom. This requires a willingness to let go of our attachments and trust that God will provide for us as we live generously. [01:20:45]
** [80:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:28] - The Challenge of True Surrender
[30:34] - Holding On vs. Letting Go
[38:45] - Introduction to Matthew 19
[40:47] - The Rich Young Ruler's Question
[42:09] - Evangelism and the Ten Commandments
[43:37] - The Reality of Sin
[50:32] - Misconceptions About Wealth
[51:37] - God's Unconditional Love
[52:14] - Wealth as a Byproduct
[53:35] - Testing the Heart
[55:04] - Where Your Treasure Is
[59:07] - God as Our Source
[61:08] - George Mueller's Faith
[78:17] - The Cost of Obedience
[80:45] - Generosity and Kingdom Living

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Matthew 19:16-22, what question does the rich young ruler ask Jesus, and how does Jesus respond? What does this reveal about the young man's understanding of eternal life?
According to the sermon, what was the rich young ruler's reaction to Jesus' instruction to sell his possessions and follow Him? What does this indicate about his priorities? [40:47]
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), what was the rich man's fate, and what was the reason given for it in the sermon? [50:32]
How does 1 Timothy 6:17-19 instruct the wealthy to use their resources, and what is the ultimate purpose of these instructions?

Interpretation Questions

What does the rich young ruler's story in Matthew 19:16-22 teach about the relationship between wealth and spiritual priorities? How does this relate to the concept of surrender discussed in the sermon? [40:47]
How does the sermon challenge the common misconception that wealth is a sign of God's favor? What does it suggest is the true measure of one's relationship with God? [50:32]
In what ways does the story of George Mueller, as mentioned in the sermon, illustrate the principle of trusting God for provision? How does this story encourage believers to rely on God rather than material wealth? [01:01:08]
How does the sermon interpret the phrase "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" in the context of wealth and possessions? [55:04]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle to surrender fully to God, such as pride, desires, or material possessions? What steps can you take to address these areas? [29:28]
How do you currently view wealth and success in your life? Are there ways in which these views might be hindering your spiritual growth or relationship with God? [50:32]
Consider the resources you have been given. How can you use them to bless others and advance God's kingdom? Identify one specific action you can take this week to live more generously. [01:20:45]
In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, similar to George Mueller's reliance on prayer? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith in God's ability to meet your needs? [01:01:08]
Think about a time when God asked you to do something that required sacrifice. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply this lesson to future situations where God may call you to obedience? [01:18:17]
How can you ensure that your heart is aligned with God's will, especially when it comes to your possessions and priorities? What practices or habits can help you maintain this alignment? [55:04]
Identify a specific area in your life where you can demonstrate greater generosity. What is one tangible way you can act on this in the coming week? [01:20:45]

Sermon Clips

"I mean, can you really sing that song? I surrender all. That means all of your pride, all of your wishes, all of your desires, all of your hurts, all of your successes, Can you really surrender? Do you really surrender them all?" [00:28:39] (41 seconds)

"Now, here's the thing. Holding on to that stuff is not worth losing what's coming. Let me say that again. Holding on to that stuff is not worth losing what's coming. So it's a, I'm not going to, it's not an easy decision. It's a hard decision." [00:30:34] (29 seconds)

"Jesus said, And he said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments. He says, Why are you asking me about what's good? What good deed must I do? What do I have to do to get eternal life?" [00:40:38] (23 seconds)

"God doesn't love the wealthiest person in this room more than He loves the person who has the least. He just loves you. But they thought, well, because they were healthy and wealthy, that's an indicator of how God has blessed them. Because remember when the person was born blind, they said, who sinned?" [00:50:54] (27 seconds)

"Now, knowing God, He can give you wisdom. He can help you, lead you to make right choices. He can help you to produce wealth. But then you still have to make a choice what to do with it. Just like this guy. Just like the rich young ruler. He was given a choice." [00:53:35] (21 seconds)

"Remember the song we just sang? I surrender all. Give it all away. That initial moment, that initial thought, when God tells you to give it all up, will tell you where your heart is. Now, it doesn't matter if it's money, stuff. I mean, it's just stuff. It could be your favorite sin." [00:54:00] (31 seconds)

"One of the things that people say is, if I give in the offering, well, how are my bills going to get paid? It's a great question. The answer is, God said, he will supply all your needs according to his riches and glory. Your boss, your boss is not, your source. The government is not your source." [00:59:07] (33 seconds)

"And he had, I don't remember how many orphans he started out with, but there were days where they had no food and nothing to drink. And they would start out, and they would start praying and say, Lord, we need, we know that you have supplied all of our needs according to your riches and glory." [01:01:08] (14 seconds)

"Because when he tells you to do something, and you trust him, and you do it, what you're doing is you're proving where your heart is. Because if God says, give it all away, and you give it all away, because it proves immediately that you're trusting him rather than trusting in your stuff." [01:17:38] (21 seconds)

"By deciding to follow him, whatever he tells you to do, you know, it's always surprised me, with me, is the things God asks me to do, always cost me something. Always cost me something. It cost me money. It cost me time. It cost me doing what I want to do." [01:18:17] (22 seconds)

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