Priorities – The Presidential Prayer Team

This night your soul is required of you. – Luke 12:20

It’s all about priorities. Many in America have problems managing their finances. Others, the ones politicians like to call the top ten percent, are heavily invested in a number of industries or federal treasury notes. Today’s parable deals with a man whose investments were in his farming. His priorities were wrapped up in the abundance he had. The problem was not his wealth, it was that his wealth had become his top priority. He didn’t need bigger barns, he needed a bigger heart.

Many have compared the church in the United States to the one in Laodicea of Revelation chapter 3. The people there were rich, they had fine garments, and they had an eye ointment industry that benefitted many. Yet Jesus called them “pitiable, poor, blind and naked.” Why? Their priorities were askew. They had become lukewarm in their love of the Lord.

What does the Lord desire when it comes to your money? Above all else, and whatever the subject, your top priority is to be right with Him. Then, He asks that you be a good steward of your money, time, and talents. Manage it well and be cautious about taking on debt. Create and follow a budget (Luke 14:28-30). Be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). Give to God’s work first (Proverbs 3:9). Confer with the Lord over your monetary issues and needs (Deuteronomy 8:18; James 1:5). Keep your eyes on the prize (Matthew 6:33).

Pray for all who deal with the monetary policies of the United States to be wise and thoughtful, remembering the funds belong to the taxpayers.

Today’s Verse: Luke 12:20

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Revelation 3:14-22

¹⁴“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

¹⁵“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. ²⁰Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²²He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”