SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
Scripture: Luke 16:12-14

Luke 16:12-14 says, “‘And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’ Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” Why did the Pharisees refuse what Jesus taught? It required them to change how they lived! They could no longer manipulate for money and they could no longer get unjust gain. When we truly walk with God, we are willing to suffer periods of deprivation in order to maintain a standard of righteousness. The person who refuses periods of deprivation forfeits qualifying for God’s very best. Read Paul’s path to qualify for the true riches in these passages: 2 Corinthians 11:22-29 and 6:3-10. Manipulation always works for a season. But when that season is over, it is hell to pay. Jesus defeated this temptation and became victorious, guaranteeing us a pathway to the fullness that Christ has for us. The Pharisees were worshipers of satan, not worshipers of God. Let us make sure we choose to be God-worshipers so that the last days’ provision will be there when we need it.