14 Jul Living Unselfishly

Last Sunday, Pastor Jeremy Chasteen preached from James 4:13-17 and warned us about the pride of planning our lives without God.

Read: James 5:1-6

This Sunday, Pastor John Henschen will preach from James 5:1-6 and will show us that God’s way of using wealth leads to true and everlasting blessing. As you prepare for our Sunday gathering, let this devotional from John MacArthur point you to invest in God’s Kingdom and live unselfishly with your possessions.

Reflect: “Living Unselfishly”

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”

Matthew 6:19

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The believer is to use his possessions unselfishly.

Some years ago I happened to have contact with two quite wealthy men during the same week. One was a former professor at a major university who through a series of investments made possibly a hundred million dollars. In the process, however, he lost his family, his happiness, and his peace of mind and had aged far beyond his years. The other man, a pastor, also made some investments and acquired great wealth but was not preoccupied with his investments. Because of his financial independence, he gave to his church over the years more than it paid him for being its pastor. He is one of the happiest, most contented, and most godly persons I have ever met. The difference between the two men was not their wealth, but their contrasting views about wealth.

In Matthew 6:19 Jesus taught the right way to view wealth by saying you are not to lay up treasure for yourselves. When you accumulate possessions simply for yourself—whether to hoard or to spend selfishly and extravagantly—those possessions become idols. Jesus is saying, “People in my kingdom shouldn’t amass fortunes or stockpile things for themselves.” Colossians 3:5 says, “Consider the members of your earthly body as dead to … greed, which amounts to idolatry.” Covetousness is idolatry.

What about you? Are you consumed with extending God’s kingdom instead of accumulating possessions for yourself? Do you desire to invest in eternity and God’s causes, or are you being greedy and miserly? First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Glorify Him by investing in His kingdom and living unselfishly.

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Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to help you use your possessions unselfishly for His glory.

For Further Study: What warning does Jesus give in Luke 12:15?

“Living Unselfishly,” August 11th devotional, in Strength for Today, by John MacArthur.

Sing: Song List for Sunday

1. “He Is Our God,” by Sovereign Grace Music
2. “How Rich a Treasure We Possess,” by Matt Boswell
3. “Christ Is All,” by Matt Boswell
4. “The Depths of Your Love,” by North Wake Music
5. “There Is a Fountain,” Arr. by Crosspoint Music