"Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25 MSG)

In part 5 (click here to read it) we discovered that God had my best interest at heart and was responsible for meeting my needs. In contrast the riches of this world portrayed itself as having the same objective but in reality wanted to ensnare and destroy. Lust was the devil's tool to draw me into His trap of deception. Playing on the urgency of my needs. It has been his method of operation right from the start, as seen in his dealings with Adam and Eve, driving them to self-destruct. If you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get it. Ultimately these things do not satisfy but to the contrary war against our very own soul.

"God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!.." (Genesis 1:26-31 MSG)

In part 4, I shared that self-dependence finds it's root in the devil and He co-opted Adam and Eve through deception, thereby creating through them a self-dependent world system. Click here to read part 4.

The devil usurped my focus and energy in the enterprise of meeting my temporal needs while missing out on all the true riches of God that meet both my current and eternal needs. He offered poor substitutes for the life of God that truly fulfils. He did this to lull me into a false sense of security, thereby de-motivating me from making the most of my relationship with God, being so pre-occupied by self.

"Israel, the LORD who created you says, "Do not be afraid---I will save you. I have called you by name---you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free; I will give up Ethiopia and Seba. I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor." (Isaiah 43:1-4 GNB)

In part 3(Click here to read it), I shared how the desire for financial security competed for my attention and focus, which was meant for God and my loved ones. It's not that the desire for financial security was wrong, but it is to be achieved through trusting God to meet our needs and direct us.

1. "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:33 MSG)