Verse of the day: Numbers 22:37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?”
We live in a world where money buys us superficial honor and short-lived status in society, but it does not buy us respect or love. It may buy us a “get out of jail free” card, but it cannot buy us a “get out of hell free” card. In the end, those who are prideful because of their material wealth, and status, will stand before God to give an account for their lives. All the money in the world will not save their souls. Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Here, Balak questions Balaam’s refusal to come to him on the basis of his promise to give him honor before men. Sadly, this is exactly what Balaam wants, and prefers, over honor before God. As God’s children, our desire should always be to seek that which is godly, righteous, and right before God, over that which is exalted by man. 1 Timothy 6:6-9 clearly tells us, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Proverbs 28:6 says, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” The fact of the matter is that many of us, who call ourselves children of God, have sold out to the world, and believed Satan’s, and the world’s, lie that having more material things and more money will bring us more joy and happiness. True joy comes from an intimate relationship with God in Christ Jesus. Seeking after this world’s “riches” and fame will cause us to do whatever it takes, whether right or wrong, to gain more and more; and the more we gain, the more we will want. Why is that? We seek more material things because there is no real satisfaction in having them. Jesus said this in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The best way to accomplish this is not to put our eyes on that which God has chosen not to give us. Jesus went on to say in Matthew 6:22-23, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Jesus went on to say that we cannot serve God and money because we will only be faithful to one. He then promised He would provide all our needs if we sought the Kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:24-30). What was saddest about Balaam’s life was that he was a man who God spoke to, and had the opportunity to be a great prophet for the Lord, but he traded God’s glory for man’s glory. Abraham, on the other hand, was a good example of how we should choose. He was presented with an opportunity to gain riches at the hand of the king of Sodom, yet refused it, saying this in Genesis 14:22-23, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” What was his reward for preferring God’s honor over man’s honor? We find the answer in Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” The greatest reward any of us could gain in this world is a close, intimate, relationship with God, regardless of whether or not He chooses to allow us to have the riches of this world. Stop and ask yourself, “What am I trading for intimacy with God?”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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