The Devil's Gift

5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours."

8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.
(Luke 4:5-8 NIV)

Probably like most people, I often have these momentary fantasies of being rich and being able to do whatever I wished. These times have typically come when I was heavy with work and overwhelmed by my load. "To have it easy," I would think, "that would be the life."

However, I've already seen what the love of money and the desire to gain more has done to people. I have seen men (including myself) make irrational decisions in order to get rich quick. I have seen smart men justify immoral decisions in order enrich themselves -- and then commit more immorality in order to cover up their poor decision making. I have heard stories of families torn apart by the desire to gain money - or even worse, an inheritance.

This passage reminds me of who actually owns the riches and kingdoms of the world...Satan. God has given over the authority over the world to Satan, and Satan then uses the worldly lure of money and power to draw God's people away from worshipping and serving the Lord God wholeheartedly. Satan will pour out a windfall over the heads of people in order to keep them focused on the money and keep them from knowing God. Beware of the windfall.

Which is not to say that money cannot be used responsibly for the Lord's work. Certainly that is possible, but it is matter of guarding our hearts to make sure that we are not focused on anything other than serving and worshipping the Lord.

Lord Jesus, Satan would have me trade my faith for riches and fame. May that never be. Please guard my heart as I go through this life so that I may use whatever I receive to serve Your kingdom purposes. I know there is a lot of material things that we are asking for, but let us not focus on that. We are content here where we are, and we are blessed immensely simply by our relationship with You. We know that You will provide what is appropriate at the appropriate time. Thank You for all that You've done as our Lord. In Jesus' name, AMEN.