Significance  comes from being created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

However, pride seeks significance from money. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). We store up treasures on earth to find significance, which is “expressed meaning, purpose, importance, or value.” Notice that the first four letters of significance comprise the word “sign” which says, “Look at me.”

The result is insignificance. Jesus continued, “…where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). The more we pursue stuff on earth as the satisfaction of our desires, the more we thirst for more. The result is a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction.

Contrastingly, humility stores up relationships. Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). Relationships are the only treasure that we can store up in heaven because they are eternal.

Our treasures reveal the object of our desires. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Valuing relationships over remuneration is what God designed for our lives. Whereas a proud heart searches for significance from money, a humble heart discovers significance in a relationship with the Restorer and shares that relationship with others.

The result is the love of God in Christ (John 3:16).

For more, watch:
Episode 10: Restoring Our Four Desires (Significance & Contentment)
Episode 11: Restoring Our Four Desires (Control & Security) with Tony Dungy
Episode 27-30: God’s Ins, Outs, Ups, and Downs of Resources (Part 1-4)

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What is the focal point of your desires?

Adam and Eve were created with humble hearts. The focal point of their satisfaction was God. In their pride, they hardheartedly desired significance, contentment, control and security apart from Him. With temptation from the serpent, they convinced themselves they were making the right decisions. The result was the first sin recorded in Scripture.

Today, we experience the same dilemma. The more we pursue significance apart from God, the more insignificant we become. The more we seek contentment apart from God, the more discontent we become. The more we attempt to find control apart from God, the more out of control we become. The more we desire security apart from God, the more insecure we become.

The solution is Christ. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Today, find the restoration in the only One who can satisfy your desires, soften your hard heart, and make you new.

For more, watch:
Episode 10: Restoring Our Four Desires (Significance & Contentment)
Episode 11: Restoring Our Four Desires (Control & Security) with Tony Dungy
Episode 27-30: God’s Ins, Outs, Ups, and Downs of Resources (Part 1-4)

To share this devotional visit our email archive.

Would a little extra money satisfy any of your desires? Money is pride’s measurement of our giftedness (time, talent, and treasure). Wisdom is humility’s measurement of our godliness (Christ in us). Money, in and of itself, is not evil, and owning stuff is not from the devil. Rather, our problem occurs when the stuff owns us.

Ironically, we don’t really desire money. We desire something much deeper.

What we really desire is Christ. He is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew11:29) and the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). Humility toward Christ is the beginning of His wisdom in our lives. Solomon noted, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

Attempting to satisfy our desires by gaining wealth measured by money will never be enough to satisfy us. It will always leave us dissatisfied. Wisdom not only satisfies our desires, but it also leads to our restoration.

Today, surrender your pride to Christ and ask for His humble and wise heart. He will make you new.

For more, watch:
Episode 10: Restoring Our Four Desires (Significance & Contentment)
Episode 11: Restoring Our Four Desires (Control & Security) with Tony Dungy
Episode 27-30: God’s Ins, Outs, Ups, and Downs of Resources (Part 1-4)

To share this devotional visit our email archive.

What is God’s will for your life?

King David described the process of knowing God’s will in a psalm: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). “Delight,” anag in Hebrew, means “to make one’s heart pliable.” In essence, it is a surrendered heart that is humble toward God, like clay in the Potter’s hands. “Give” is translated from nathan in Hebrew, meaning “to orchestrate.” Thus, when our hearts become malleable in God’s hands, He makes our desires to be like His. This is how we experience God’s will in our lives.

Today, offer your heart to God, like clay in the Potter’s hands. He will shape your desires to be like His, and you will begin to experience His will for your life.

For more, watch:
Episode 14: Restoring Living Hope: Jim & Linda Pearson (Part 1)
Episode 49: Finding God’s Vision with George Del Canto
Episode 50: The Kingdom Racing Story with George Del Canto

To share this devotional visit our email archive.

Four primary God-given desires reside in each one of us. Every choice, every thought, every prayer, every feeling is connected with every investment of time, talent, and treasure by the heartbeat to satisfy these desires. It’s why we click, buy, sell, or act. We see them in the very first book of the Bible.

The first primary God-given desire is significance, which comes from being created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). The second desire is contentment from being blessed by God to be fruitful, multiply, and subdue (to bring contentment to) the earth (Genesis 1:28). The third desire is control from being empowered by God to rule over the earth (Genesis 1:28). The fourth desire is security from being provided with every seed-bearing plant and fruit-bearing tree (Genesis 1:29-30).

God has given us these desires for a purpose: to be satisfied in Him and to bring a saving knowledge of that satisfaction to others. Too often, we pursue the satisfaction of these desires apart from God, leaving us dissatisfied.

Today, ask God to show you any insignificance, discontentment, lack of control, or insecurity from pursuing life apart from Him and surrender it to the Restorer.

For more, watch:
Episode 10: Restoring Our Four Desires (Significance & Contentment)
Episode 11: Restoring Our Four Desires (Control & Security) with Tony Dungy

To share this devotional please visit our email archive.