Devo for 08/24/2025 Service - Message by Pastor Clint Sprague
Another great message from the series, “The Way that Leads to Life” this past weekend. As we walk through the Sermon on the Mount we can clearly see that Jesus is highlighting the pathway to transformation in our lives.
Pastor Clint spoke from Matthew 6:24-34, specifically how Jesus encourages us not to worry, and he also broke down the concept of verse 24:
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
One thing in the message stuck out to me, and I feel it is important, as men, to make sure we are in right standing with God on this statement:
“It’s not what you have, but what has you”
For most people, when we read this statement, we first think about money. In that sense, we could rewrite that statement to:
“It’s not that I have (or want money), but the money (or desire for it) has me”
As Pastor Clint said, money is not bad. However, when our love for that money controls more of our lives than God does, that is when bad things can happen. In other words, our “Love of Money” is the issue because we put that love above our love for God. (Note: this has nothing to do with being rich or poor; both can have a “love of money”.)
I would submit to you that there are many things besides money that we sometimes put before God. We can adapt the above statement to these other things.
It’s not that I have a job, but the job has me
It’s not that I want a drink, but the desire for a drink has me
It’s not that I want to be angry, but the anger has me
It’s not the stuff I have, but the stuff has me
It’s not that I want sex, but the desire for sex has me
So what is it for you? Do you have anything you have put above God? Maybe it is love of money. Maybe you put sports above God. Maybe it is something not listed here. But it is essential to recognize that we may have put something before God, maybe without even realizing it. We have to be intentional in checking ourselves to make sure we are in order: God first! In all areas of our lives!
I would encourage everyone to spend a little time to slow down and ask God to reveal anything you may have put before Him. Then, as always, repent and let Him heal you and free you from the bondage of these earthly treasures! I promise life will get better if you do!
Don’t forget to invite God into your day!
Topic for Study
Compassion
Luke 10:30-37
Psalm 35:13
Mark 6:34
August Memory Verse:
Proverbs 12:15
“A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise”