Surrender to Flourish

Proverbs 11:28 (ESV) says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”

As soon as we say yes to following Jesus, our priorities shift. Take a minute and read through Matthew 6:19-34 to get a picture of how God wants us to order our lives. Wealth and material possessions, even our next meal, can cloud our pursuit of righteousness and the kingdom. I could not tell you exactly what that looks like because it is different for each of us, but I know it is in God’s heart.

This is not a conversation on statistics. I remember a pastor saying there is no number in your bank account, high or low, that is a guarantee of holiness. What matters is the heart.

I bring this verse up this morning because I want our abiding to be pure and faithful. Money can be one of the quickest and sneakiest snares to our spiritual well-being. If we find ourselves stuck, lacking freedom, withered instead of green, this verse shows us that our problem might be money.

Interestingly, money may be the last thing we think to address as we try to get back on the path of freedom. We might check our hearts for any sin and press in harder to devotionals or church. We might assume something else in our life needs to change, like a relationship, or try and find a new ministry/work opportunity. Yet Jesus said it plainly in Matthew 6:21 ESV. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I know I am stepping on toes this morning. There’s nothing wrong with having wealth, but there is a significant risk we take in pursuing materialism: the chance of drawing our trust away from God. When our hope is no longer in God, we lose a level of intimacy and connection with God that fuels our lives.

No possession, asset, or dollar amount is worth compromising greater friendship and knowledge of God. Plus, God is a faithful God. He never abandons us in our needs. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:32 ESV, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things [posessions], and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

To be righteous is to trust God with the things we need daily. To put our trust in riches is to draw away from holiness and set ourselves up for a fall.

Let’s be honest. In the western world, there is so much wealth that I am not sure any of us are exempt from this temptation. In some countries, the keyboard I’m using to type on is worth more than a week’s or even a month’s wages. If our pursuit is abiding, then it also has to be living in financial surrender.

While this topic is challenging for all of us and perhaps unexpected in a devotional routine, I love how practical it is. I want to challenge you to look at your world and see if there is a financial barrier to your freedom in Christ. I also want you to put this information in your heart for when you hit a wall in your prayer life or devotional. It could be an excellent opportunity to surrender more and get closer to God.

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