We all desire to be successful. We want life to be thriving and fulfilling. God desires this too, so He put in place a way to thrive in our days on this side of heaven. Look at the following verses and see what God wants us to know about life:
1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this, they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
2 Peter 1:3-4 “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
Colossians 3:1-4 “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sight on the realities of heaven where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.”
We learn from God that money doesn’t bring fulfillment. It should be a tool we use to help others and glorify God. Using money to live how we want to live will not lead to a thriving life. We become focused on our needs rather than God’s will when we do. We are to trust God with all that we have and bring Him glory. We are called to spend our days getting to know God and do what He is asking of us. God has given mankind His Word. We can have faith that what He says will come to pass. He has never steered us wrong, and He won’t begin to. He is trustworthy and faithful to lead us home to heaven.
We all need to be raised from the dead. We are unbelievably sinful. God understands man’s predicament so He sent Jesus to save all mankind. When you receive your salvation in Christ, you live a whole new way where eternal things take precedence in your life. God becomes your life. God’s Word becomes your GPS to staying the course. God’s presence becomes your life-line to staying focused on what truly matters.
When we each follow God’s way of living life, we will thrive.
David, in the Old Testament, lived a life that thrived. He was a young shepherd boy who God appointed as king of Israel and Judah. While he was far from perfect, he lived with a heart that loved God more than anything else. In His last days on earth, he told his successor how to thrive. Go ahead and read 1 Kings 2:1-12 and see what David told his son Solomon.
Three things. Three simple things that Solomon was told by his father: 1. Be courageous. 2. Be a man. 3. Observe the Lord’s ways and follow all of them. Essentially, David told his son to be brave. He encouraged Solomon that he can face whatever comes his way. Stand up and be who God made you to be, a man of honesty and integrity. And both of these can take place when you follow God wholeheartedly.
David was able to pass on from this life into the presence of God with quite a biography. He reigned as king for 40 years. He experienced outstanding success as well as crushing failures. He was greatly loved by others while being greatly hated too. His biggest characteristic was his love for God which preceded him, and God blessed him for it. Never once did God leave David’s side.
Do you want a thriving life? Put God first in all areas of your life and see what He will do for you. You and I were never made to love this side of heaven more than the other side. Life on earth is a preparation time so you will be ready for eternal life with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Live wisely, be brave, and live out your calling with the same love and devotion that God shows you.
Carol J German 