Are you building God’s kingdom…or are you building your own?

​

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Dare to Believe   CURRENT TV SERIES Dare to Believe

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. --Matthew 6:19-20 What does a life of success or significance looks like. It’s marked by a direction, a dynamic, and a dedication. And it is one that prepares for the future. Joseph is a great example of this as he prepared for the future. He stored up in advance for lean and difficult times. And because he did, he saved people from death. Just like Joseph, we are to so live and to so give…to so prepare for the future…that we can be used by God to help save others from eternal death! Isn’t that our mission? Isn’t that our ministry? It is a fatal flaw, a mistake, to assume that God’s goal for your life is material success or prosperity. God looks at your life, not based upon your net worth but upon your real worth. And your real worth is based upon who you are in Christ! There are two kinds of people in the world. There are those who are building their own kingdom…and there are those who are building the kingdom of God.  So which one are you? Is your life wrapped up in building a kingdom for yourself…of material success and “prosperity?”  Or is your life wrapped up in building for the future…building the kingdom of God. Because you’re either building your own personal kingdom or you’re partnering with God in building His kingdom…the only thing that will last forever! Are you building God’s kingdom…or are you building your own?  Dangerous Land Mines by Dr. Paul Chappell “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:8–10 The popular conception of land mines is that they are hidden and blow up when an unwary enemy accidentally triggers an explosion. Although there are times when mines are used in that fashion, other times they are not hidden at all. For example during the Korean War, American combat engineers laid minefields that were not meant to catch the enemy unaware, but to hinder their progress. These minefields were actually fenced in with barbed wire, and had signs in multiple languages, warning of the danger. Mining the easiest access routes through mountain passes would greatly restrict progress. We would be surprised to see someone walk up to a minefield surrounded by barbed wire and hung with warning signs and continue forward as if there were no danger. That would be a deadly way to advance. Yet, while the Bible is filled with warnings about the impact loving money has on our hearts and many examples of the deadly results the love of money brings in the end, Christians down through the years have been destroyed because of the allure of wealth. As one preacher put it, “There’s nothing wrong with having money, but there’s something very wrong with money having you.” The caution Jesus gave regarding money is instructive and should be heeded: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).   Today’s Growth Principle:  The desire for riches is a known landmine, yet many still fall victim to it and pay a heavy price.