INTRODUCTION

The increase of riches almost always brings a level of comfort. In one parable, the Lord spoke of a rich man whose ground brought forth plentifully (Luke 12:16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
See All...). The rich man came to trust in his abundance and decided to take his ease (Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
See All...), but that night he died (Luke 12:20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
See All...). Even if death does not rob a man of his riches, riches are not for ever (Proverbs 27:24For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
See All...), because they "certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
See All...). Those who trust in riches will fall (Proverbs 11:28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
See All...). Perhaps this is why Paul told Timothy to warn the rich that they trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living God (1 Timothy 6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Job knew better than to trust in riches (Job 31:24-25 [24] If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; [25] If I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
  See All..., 28). Riches are not forever, but eternity is. Consider the end of those who trust in riches (Psalm 49:6-7 [6] They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; [7] None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
  See All...; Psalm 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
  See All..., 7; Psalm 73:12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
  See All..., 16-17; Proverbs 11:4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
  See All...).
• What are some ways in which riches can "certainly make themselves wings"? Why is it dangerous for you to come to trust in your riches?
• How certain is your job? How certain is the stock market? How certain is the financial stability of your country? How quickly could you lose all that you have?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to show you the uncertainty of riches.
• Ask the Lord to guard you from misplaced faith.

HYMN

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

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