1 Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”.

DAILY READING Acts 4:23-37; Deuteronomy 21-22; Job 14

One of the tragic aftermath of the recent 2020 stock market crash was the death of a 20-year-old U.S college student, Alexander E. Kearns, in June 2020. He committed suicide after mistakenly believing he owed $730,000 on the Robinhood online stock trading App.
According to the media reports, Alexander E. Kearns had received a negative $730,165 cash balance in red following a period of experimental trading with the App. Believing he had incurred a huge amount of debt that he may never be able to pay, he decided to take his life. He died after throwing himself in front of a moving train in his home town of Naperville, Illinois. His family found a suicide note where he explained he had been “financially devastated.”
Responding to the news, the owners of the trading App indicated that the $730,165 Alexander E. Kearns had mistakenly thought he owed could actually have been temporary figures until stocks underlying his assigned options settled into his account later. Had he waited a little while longer, he would have seen that the situation was not what it had first appeared to be.
Indeed studies have shown a relationship between stock market fluctuations and the rate of suicides among the general population. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, there was about 6,566 suicides that were a direct consequence of the rapid decline of equity values. The financial fortunes of many people are tied in some way to the markets either directly through investments or indirectly. Therefore when markets collapse, the effects can reverberate through the whole of society.

Proverbs 11:28 says “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage”

Putting one’s trust in money can indeed have a devastating effect..
In today’s modern society many people have turned money into a small god by putting in it all their hopes for material provisions. Money is often seen as something that can fix just about anything. This is why once money is lost it seems everything is lost. A total loss of money often make people feel their entire life is over.
As believers in these last days we have to really be careful about money. Money really can have a corrupting influence and has a way of causing displaced trust. Instead of trusting God for the needed provisions, it is very easy to fall into the trap of fixing one’s hope on money. As Christians we need to be aware of that potential danger and guard ourselves against it.
While money can be useful, we should never put it on a pedestal and give it an exalted place in our lives. It should never take a hold of our hearts. The love of money is certainly the root of all evil.
Jeremiah 17:5 says ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD.’
We should never allow our heart to depart from the Lord for any reason. Anything that tries to take the place of God in your hearts or causes you to take your eyes off Jesus can certainly cause spiritual ruin.
Rather than trusting in riches, believers are to fix their hope on God.

1 Timothy 6:17 says “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”.

The truth is that with the uncertainty of things in the world today, only those who puts their hope in God are truly secure. God provides far more security than any earthly investment. God is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Therefore when we lay up treasure in Heaven instead of on earth, we are building a firm foundation for the future. And we lay up Heavenly treasures through giving to the poor and investing in the promotion of God’s kingdom.
Certainly when we lay up true treasures in Heaven, then we would not be moved by the uncertainties of earthly riches. God will be our ever present help in every time of need. In every situation He will be our strength, our refuge and our shelter from every storm of life.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always put my trust in You. May nothing ever take Your place in my heart. Thank You Lord for the grace to always lay down whatever You require of me. As I do, I thank You for Your exceeding abundant blessings released upon my life in Jesus Name.
Quote ‘When God places His hand upon a man in life nothing can come against him, this is because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance’ WORBITE 222