Riding With Purpose

I spent some time in Proverbs this morning and I've been thinking about how important it is to be in a co-laboring relation with the living God. I'm reminded of Jesus saying in Matthew 6:24 that "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money". All of us need money to pay our bills. Even Christian ministries need money to operate. Take it away and salaries don't get paid, the lights go out, and obligations don't get met. That's just the way it is. As we struggle, it is a temptation to become envious of the success of others, usually measurable by how much money, fruit, or effect they are generating. To be productive financially and to be successful in the world arena, or in Christian ministry, is important, but it can't be what leads or drives us on. In the reference below it says that "The fear (reverential, godly fear) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge". If our ride, each day, doesn't begin with Jesus Christ as our Lord, in a co-laboring effort with Him, all the success, wealth, even much of the success we believe we have in ministry, will ultimately be burned up. What the worldly mindset considers a successful life is really a wasted life, without the finger of God on all that is done. Proverbs 1:1-4 "The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young ---let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Riding with purpose is only possible when God's purpose is why we are riding.