3 Bible Verses Encouraging Us To Strive For Holiness More Than Riches

 Pixabay

Christians who have fully put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have been made into a new creation and are given a new identity: an identity as a child of God through Christ. With this new identity we are given new pursuits and ideals. One of these is to pursue holiness.

Pursuing God

The Lord Jesus Christ, frank as He is, warned us that in our pursuit of God we will face challenges. One of these is the challenge to pursue God and not money. In Matthew 6:24, He warned us,

"No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Knowing this, we will do well to be fully aware if the master we are serving is God or riches. In the pursuit of riches and material gain, we will appear to have many possessions throughout our lifetime. But at the end of our lives we all know that we will part with them. And then will come the sad realisation that we should've lived for God.

Pursuing God, on the other hand, might appear boring and unappealing to many. But the truth is that it's the only pursuit that brings lasting satisfaction and overflowing contentment. And yes, this joy will never end, even if we face trials and hardships.

Pursue Holiness Over Riches

God, our Father, wants all of us to be like Him; He wants us all to be holy as He is holy (see 1 Peter 1:16). Our desire, then, should be the pursuit of holiness rather than the pursuit of riches and material gain.

To help you pursue God's holiness instead of worldly, material gain, here are some Bible verses for you.

Psalm 84:10-12 – "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give favor and glory, for no good thing will He withhold from the one who walks uprightly. O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You." (MEV) (Pixabay)
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Campaign seeks to put children's rights first in gay marriage debate
Campaign seeks to put children's rights first in gay marriage debate

Katy Faust is challenging the legal definition of marriage in the US, arguing that the rights of children to a mother and father have been undermined, and she sees parallels with the UK.

New report accuses Armenian government of targeting Apostolic Church
New report accuses Armenian government of targeting Apostolic Church

The report came as EU leaders gathered in Yerevan.

Reform will be 'far friendlier' to Christians than other parties if it wins office
Reform will be 'far friendlier' to Christians than other parties if it wins office

Farage is “not just giving lip service" to Christianity, says Reform's head of policy.

Council of Europe criticised over inadequate response to anti-Christian incidents
Council of Europe criticised over inadequate response to anti-Christian incidents

"There are mechanisms to combat anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, but nothing concerning Christians."