Open Heaven Devotional For June 14, 2026: Title - Prosperity Is Not The Same As Godliness

 

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: Sunday, June 14, 2026

TOPIC: Prosperity Is Not the Same as Godliness

MEMORISE:

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." — 1 Timothy 6:17 (KJV)

BIBLE READING:

Luke 12:16-21

MESSAGE

Many years ago, a Christian brother once expressed his desire to leave the faith and join another religion because he had noticed that many of its followers appeared wealthy. I quickly explained to him that riches are not determined by one's religion, nor are they proof of godliness.

The Bible tells us that after Cain departed from God's presence, he went on to build a city (Genesis 4:16-17). Constructing a city was a remarkable achievement, yet it was accomplished while he was far from God. This teaches us that outward success does not always reflect a person's spiritual condition. A branch that has been cut from a tree may remain green for a while, but eventually it will dry up because it is no longer connected to its source of life.

Indeed, God gives His children the ability to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), but wealth should never be used as a measure of spiritual maturity. God evaluates our lives by the fruit we bear (Matthew 7:16). When believers walk in obedience and produce godly fruit, God often blesses them, and prosperity may be one expression of that blessing.

Abraham was both godly and wealthy, possessing great riches in livestock, silver, and gold (Genesis 13:2). Isaac also experienced extraordinary prosperity because of God's favour upon his life. According to Genesis 26:12-14, he continued to prosper until he became exceedingly great.

God delights in blessing His children with good gifts (Matthew 7:11). However, He does not want us to define our worth or success by material possessions. Jesus warned that a person's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15). Wealth is simply a tool entrusted to us by God, and He expects us to manage it faithfully for His glory.

The rich fool in today's Bible reading failed to understand this truth. Instead of acknowledging God as the source of his blessings and using his resources wisely, he focused solely on accumulating wealth for himself. As a result, he was called a fool because he was rich in possessions but poor in his relationship with God.

Beloved, God is far more concerned about your fellowship with Him and the condition of your heart than the balance in your bank account. True prosperity begins with the prosperity of the soul (3 John 2). Therefore, make your spiritual growth, obedience, and intimacy with God your highest priority.

KEY POINT:

Material wealth is not a reliable measure of godliness.

AUTHOR:

Pastor E. A. Adeboye

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:

Psalms 50–55

HYMN 21:

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Chorus:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness seems to veil His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

3.