“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” -Matthew 10:32-33

Jesus said “anyone who acknowledges me before men, I’ll acknowledge before the Father. But anybody who denies me before men, I’ll deny before the Father.” If you put God first, God will put you first. That’s a promise. If Jesus were to preach the Sermon on the Mount today, he may say to build yourself a spiritual portfolio. Anything can take away your material wealth: one lawsuit, one health problem, or one policy from the government. But you can build a life for yourself that when you’re finished you can look back and say I wasn’t perfect, but I stored up the right kind of stuff. I didn’t put my trust in my material wealth. If you seek wisdom, treasure will follow, and it’ll come and go. You can use your treasure to bless others–to live a full life. In the end, money, power, and status won’t matter. Don’t get there and wish that you spent more time worshiping, resting, and living. It’s not too late. This word is for you: God is proud of you. Do not fall into the temptation of putting your trust in material gain. Put your trust in God, and he will provide for you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all the material and spiritual wealth you have provided. I pray that I can use what you have given me to help others. Help me to always put you first.

Reflection: What do you have in your spiritual portfolio? What do you have in your material box? How can you use what you have to serve others?