Transformed : Vocational Health - Day 2

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Deuteronomy (8:18 NIV)

Everything you have is a gift from God, including your ability to create wealth. After all, who gave you your hands and your brain? Who gave you your talents and abilities? You wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for the grace of God. You wouldn’t even be alive.

This verse tells us that producing wealth is an ability. You might have great abilities in this area. Perhaps God has gifted you with a strong business sense and you are just naturally good at making money. That is a God-given ability. And since God gave it to you, you really can't be prideful about it. On the other hand, you might be a person who is always struggling financially. Don't be discouraged; ask God for the ability to produce what you need and remember that you have other abilities.

The greater truth of this verse is that you can make money to the glory of God. If you have a beautiful voice, you should sing to the glory of God. If you have strong athletic skills, you should run to the glory of God. If you have a great business sense, you should make money to the glory of God. How can the business ability to make a deal, close a sale, plan a project— how in the world can that ability be used for the glory of God? By recognizing where that ability came from. By giving back to him the first 10% of your income from the profits. By acting ethically and morally. And by providing a legitimate service or project that can help people. That all brings glory to God.

Why did God give you the ability to create wealth? It's not just for yourself. God's abilities are given to us so that we can serve him and serve others. Every ability is given by God and every ability can be used for God’s glory.

Next Steps. Write down your answers to these questions. 

172. What did you hear?

173. What do you think?

174. What will you do?

175. Now talk to God...

Work Cited

Warren, R. (2014). Daily devotions: Transformed: How God Changes Us. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: Saddleback Church.