September 12
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THE FUTILITY OF WEALTH
A poem by ILMA
Don’t be surprised if you see someone being oppressed by the powerful
Or if justice is being miscarried throughout the land
All officials takes orders from the higher up
Matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.
Even the king milks the land for his own profit
Those who love money will never have enough
How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it.
So, what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much
But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep; hoarding riches harms the saver
Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost.
In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children
We all come to the end of our lives as naked as on the day we were born
People leave this world no better off than when they came
All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind.
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Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So, what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers.
– Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:8-15
The world has twisted our value system by putting so much emphasis on wealth. Many people desire to be rich so they can have the respect of others. Many people chase money and they don’t realize the danger of this obsession.
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REFLECTION
• What happens to people who is in pursuit of money?
• Why does the book of Ecclesiastes think that wealth is meaningless?
Tag Archives: wealth
THE RICH MAN Poem Devotional
May 10
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THE RICH MAN
A poem by ILMA
A religious leader asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life
The Lord enumerated commandments like not committing adultery
He included the commands not to murder, steal or testify falsely
Jesus also reminded the rich man of the command to honor his parents.
The man said that he has obeyed all these commands since he was young
Then Jesus told him that there is still one thing he hasn’t done
He hasn’t sold his possessions and given the money to the poor
He told him treasures in heaven will await him if he followed.
But when the man heard this, he became very sad, for he was wealthy
Jesus tells us “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich
They will have a harder time to enter the Kingdom of the Lord.
Those who heard what Jesus said asked “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What’s impossible for people is possible with God”
He assured those who has given up their loved one for the kingdom
They will all be repaid many times and they will have eternal life.
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MEMORY VERSE
In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. – Mark 10:25
Read: Mark 10:17-31
This encounter of Jesus with a rich man as he was on his way to Jerusalem narrates the priorities man puts on riches. He was going to follow all the commands as long as he keeps his wealth intact. Don’t we all conditionally follow God sometimes?
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REFLECTION
• What was this rich man missing in the lesson that Jesus was teaching him?
• Would you do all you can to have eternal life?
• What compromises do we walk into by holding on to things that gives us pleasure?
LIKE A TREASURE Poem Devotional
December 3________________________________________
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. – Matthew 13:44(NLT)
LIKE A TREASURE
A poem and essay by ILMA
What things do you value most in your life?
Are they going to bring you closer to God’s light?
God’s kingdom is like a treasure that is so precious
Don’t love the world, instead, seek the Lord Jesus.
When you reflect on the sacrifice of the Son of Man
You will feel so loved; it will touch your heart
There is nothing else more valuable than this
Stay focused on Jesus and you will find eternal bliss.
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Many people live without joy and hope. They get so wrapped up in the hunt for happiness and wealth. They barely have time to spend with their loved ones because of this obsession to be happy and be rich. Happiness is fleeting but joy isn’t. This two concept gets interchanged. Happiness usually come from the pleasure that is derived from something or someone we have craved for. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit which is a result of something you have done for someone. Happiness is more self-seeking while joy is from filling others’ needs.
Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a discovered treasure in a field. We would give up all to hide it and protect it.
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PRAYER
Lord, help us to understand what needs to be prioritized in our lives.
REFLECTION
What do you treasure most in life?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
ETERNAL WEALTH Poem Devotional
October 27________________________________________
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.
– Luke 12:21(NLT)
ETERNAL WEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you like to gather wealth and material things?
These are all fleeting and will only tempt you to sin
You are a fool if your life focuses on what do not last
Gather the wealth that is eternal, seek Jesus Christ.
Build a relationship with God and make him always first
You will benefit from focusing your life on Christ
Prioritize him and you will receive a life that does not end
Make him last and you have just made the world your friend.
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How would you like to be a spiritual millionaire? It is sad to watch people who spend their lives accumulating wealth, power, fame, possessions and not give the Lord even a tiny bit of time and attention. We humans get all hyped up and obsessed with the things that belong to this world. In Ephesians 6, we are all warned that we are not just dealing with physical things but with unseen forces. Life is not all about this world. James warned us that we cannot be friends of this world and retain our relationship with God. We cannot serve two masters.
Luke warns us that we need to gather eternal wealth rather than physical things because this is the one that will give us a life that lasts forever. ¬________________________________________
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always maintain making you first in my life.
REFLECTION
How can you maintain a rich relationship with God?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
TREACHEROUS ACTS Poem Devotional
October 26
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Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. -Habakkuk 2:5(NLT)
TREACHEROUS ACTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Are you seeking to gain more wealth?
Do you find yourself loosing rest?
Obsessing on wealth is dangerous
It is tricky and can be treacherous.
When you are constantly busy and restless
The devil may be leading you towards blindness
Behind that compulsion to be busy is arrogance
Watch that you don’t give in to the tricks of Satan.
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John 10:10 clearly says that the enemy’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy us while the Lord gives us an abundant life. There are many tricks the enemy throws at us. The sad thing is that we don’t even see them. He does it subtly and hides it cleverly like an undercover agent, making sure that he penetrates into the weaknesses of their subjects.
The book of Habakkuk was written by a prophet who was concerned about social justice. He asks the question “If God exists, why do the wicked so often prosper? Habakkuk preached before Babylon’s fall in 586 B.C. God answers Habakkuk in this book, asserting him that he will judge all people and righteousness will ultimately prevail.
In this verse, we are warned against the treacherousness of wealth and that restlessness can be a form of arrogance. Isn’t it so true that when we obsess about possession, we are relentless at getting it?
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from the love of money and arrogance.
REFLECTION
How can busy-ness be a manifestation of arrogance?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
UNCERTAINTY OF WEALTH Poem Devotional
April 7________________________________________
In the blink of an eye, wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like eagle.
-Proverbs 23:5 (NLT)
UNCERTAINTY OF WEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
If you think that wealth will bring you stability
You will have a shaky life for it is full of uncertainties
Like our lives, wealth disappears in the blink of an eye
You can enjoy it now, but you can’t take it when you die.
Why would you want to rely on things of this world?
It is best to seek the truth and follow God’s word?
Seek treasures in heaven and you’ll gain eternal life
Wealth is uncertain and it can draw you away from Christ.
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In Matthew 19, we hear of the story of the rich young man who came to Jesus to ask what good deeds must he do to have eternal life. Jesus replied first to keep the commandments. Then the man claimed that he had kept all the commandments already. He continued to ask the Lord, what else must he do. So Jesus told him to go and sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor so he can have treasures in heaven. The rich young man couldn’t part with his wealth. Jesus teaches us that it is hard for the rich to enter God’s kingdom. We are also cautioned on the uncertainty of wealth because it disappears in the blink of an eye.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to share my wealth with those in need.
REFLECTION
How hard can it be for the rich to enter heaven?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
WEALTH CAN’T BRING TRUE HAPPINESS Poem Devotional
April 1________________________________________
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think wealth brings true happiness. -Ecclesiastes 5:10(NLT)
WEALTH CAN’T BRING TRUE HAPPINESS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Many people envy the wealthy
They think they live lives happily
Those who have much possessions
They become enslaved by their obsessions.
Those who love money will never have enough
They will always find something they lack
Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth
Commit to Jesus and always make him first
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Our society dazzles us with materialism. The world’s standard of beauty is based on external looks not the inside. The rich get more powerful and they are looked up to for their luxurious lifestyles. Some wealthy people become richer because of their love for money. Yet, the bible says that those who love money are never satisfied. They want more. Money in itself is not bad, but to obsess about it is what will lead you to greed and selfishness. There is no point in thinking that wealth can bring about happiness. On the contrary, there are very many wealthy people who are the loneliest. They do not have that priority for others because they are protecting their treasures all the time. Since money is their idol, they probably don’ have time for God either. We are reminded in Scriptures that it is meaningless to think that wealth can bring happiness.
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PRAYER
Lord, don’t let me be dazzled by material wealth.
REFLECTION
How can you protect yourself from the love of money?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
GODLY LIVING Poem Devotional
Nov 9
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Don’tmake your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. -Psalm 62:10(NLT)
GODLY LIVING
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you live a life of integrity?
Do you make God your priority?
Don’t make your living by extortion
Don’t allow wealth to bring much distortion.
Godly living is guided by biblical principles
It is not complex but it is very simple
Wealth must never be the center of your life
If you seek God first, you will be in the light.
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There are people who live dishonest and impure lives. They become obsessed having power and wealth. They forget the more important things in this life, which is not always material wealth. Matthew 6:19-20 tells us not to store treasures here on earth where moths and rust can destroy and thieves can steal but to store treasures in heaven. The next verse tells us too that where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be. In plain words, when we treasure material things so much, it becomes our master. It will be very hard to live a godly life and serve money and wealth as your master. Many Christians do not realize that love for money and wealth is evil. If it becomes the center of your life, then you are not putting God first. This is a form of idolatry.
PRAYER
Lord, help me watch that I always never compromise my relationship with you.
REFLECTION
How can the love of wealth and money ruin a person’s life?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
SOURCE OF POWER Poem Devotional
September 28
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Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
1 Chronicles 29:12(NLT)
SOURCE OF POWER
A poem and essay by ILMA
Have you any weaknesses that needs firming?
Are you dejected and need strengthening?
Power and might comes only from the heavenly Father
He is the only source of wealth, honor and power.
Only at God’s discretion can people be made great
He alone is omniscient and knows your fate
Plug into his omnipotent source of wisdom
He can deliver you from bondage into freedom.
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In 1 Chronicle 29, we can witness David’s heart and how he gave God praise. We are clearly given a picture of David’s faithfulness, generosity and wisdom in this chapter. He knew God’s heart so well and he passionately pursue what pleases him. In this chapter, he gives willingly and donate more than 112 tons of gold and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the temple of the Lord (verse 4) from his own treasures and collection. He clearly knows that God is the source of all his wealth, so he is cheerfully giving them all back to him. David’s prayer of praise in this chapter as a man who deeply loves his heavenly Father. He acknowledges the only source of wealth, honor, power and might.
PRAYER
Lord, please change my heart to one like David’s and yours.
REFLECTION
How can you honor God, the only source of power and might?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com
TRUE WEALTH Poem Devotional
September 13
True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
– 1 Timothy 6:6-7(NLT)
TRUE WEALTH
A poem and essay by ILMA
Wealth and possessions are all temporary
They can be used against you by the enemy
Too much love for your money and belongings
They open the door for much longings.
Godliness and contentment are true wealth
They make us preserve our joy and health
What really matters is how you enjoy life
Staying away from idols keeps you close to Christ.
Many of us have the wrong notion about wealth. Human nature wants us to possess and own stuff in this world so we can be recognized or respected. We study and get degrees so people can look up to us. We buy things so that we can say to ourselves that we are better off than others. We work hard to earn money and mostly compromise our own families. We get ourselves so busy gaining recognition and wealth that we lose our sense of priorities. We leave out God in the equation. No wonder we don’t get far.
The bible tells us that true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. When we were born, we had nothing, so when we die, we can’t take anything with us too.
PRAYER
Lord, please teach me how to be contented and live a simple life.
REFLECTION
How can contentment be considered true wealth?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com