Daily Success
Institute in Basic Life Principles

Command 31 : Beware of Covetousness | Day 216

Be Rich Toward God!

For 19-year-old Cristina Rodriguez, it began when she learned about the exciting and faith-stretching possibilities of becoming a "sower."1 A sower is one who keeps as little as possible for his own needs and invests as much as possible in the lives of others. She surrendered her life to such a ministry, even though she had few earthly possessions.

Soon after making this commitment, she was visiting with some orphans from Mexico. As one of the girls admired her hat, Cristina recognized that this was an opportunity to be a sower and cheerfully gave it to her. A few days later, another girl complimented Cristina on how nice her perfume smelled. This was a $30 gift she had received from a friend, but after reminding herself of her decision to sow into others' lives, she gave away the perfume.

Then something unexpected started to happen. God began to multiply her "seed" money for sowing while at the same time providing for her needs. She received an honorarium for a class she had voluntarily taught. Money she had put in a pocket and forgotten about "reappeared." And a few days later, she received word that she had been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship! She also has had numerous opportunities to share with others how God has worked in her life since she purposed to be a channel of His resources to others.

When we are rich toward God rather than toward ourselves, He opens the windows of heaven and showers us with seed money and ministry opportunities!

When Ken and his wife Lois heard Cristina's testimony, they were challenged by it and made the same surrender to God. After giving several gifts to others, Ken received an unexpected invitation to speak at a church in another state. After the service, the pastor gave him an honorarium of $6,000! This had never happened to Ken before.

When we experience the thrill of investing in others, we will conquer covetousness and become rich toward God. Jesus promised, "Give, and it shall be given unto you ...” (Luke 6:38). The laws of the harvest teach us that "he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully" (II Corinthians 9:6).

There are two kinds of people in the world—givers and takers. A giver is one who demonstrates God's love through generosity. A taker is one who seeks to get all he can.

Paul instructed Timothy, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute ..." (I Timothy 6:17-18).

When we focus on giving rather than getting, we conquer covetousness. However, without the desire to be rich in good works toward others, it will be very difficult to overcome covetousness. Therefore, let's surrender the desire to be rich toward ourselves and instead become rich toward God through a lifetime of good works.

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1. Review what it means to be a sower in Day 86's e-mail.

“… Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

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Contributing writer: Bill Gothard