As we enter the New Year, many people make resolutions. This month, we’ll focus on ways in which we can resolve to walk closer with the Lord. We’ll start with what is the most important issue for the majority of people: our checkbook. Here is a devotion that helps us see it from a heavenly perspective:

IN WORD “All these.” That’s the short description of the inheritance of a child of God. But what exactly are “all these”? Clearly this phrase includes the water of life mentioned in the previous verse, but that’s only one thing—an incredible thing, of course, but not plural enough to fit. Can this phrase really refer to everything mentioned up to this point in the chapter? It can and does, as can be proved by other Scripture references. Included in the inheritance of the children of God are the manifest presence of God, the end of tears and mourning, and best of all, the “everything new” of verse 5.
In other words, all of the possessions of the Father are the inheritance of the children. As much as we try to let that sink in, it won’t. It can’t. It’s simply too astounding. Think about it anyway. Your inheritance—which, by the way, is already being distributed little by little to those who are ready to receive it—consists of everything in the Father’s possession. Jesus told His disciples over the course of His ministry that He gave them authority over the enemy, the mystery of the Kingdom, the word of truth, and the Holy Spirit. Most amazing, He told the Father this about His disciples: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, so they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22). God had given Jesus everything; Jesus gives us everything. We are joint-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). That’s incredible.
IN DEED A good question to ask yourself each morning when you get up is, “How shall I use my inheritance today?” In fact, make that part of your prayers today. Ask God if there’s any aspect of His authority, His Kingdom, His purposes, His resources that He wants to entrust you with today. Then watch for your opportunities. They will come. The owner of all that exists—your Father, who has promised everything to His Son and the Son’s siblings—has no intention of hoarding “all this.” “For the saints in the world to come . . . their great possession is unchangeable, but also inexhaustible.” Henry Barclay Swete (in “Heaven on Earth Devotional” by Chris Tiegreen)

From a worldly perspective, we think of what we earn as ours – and that we control how we spend it and what we give to God. But do you realize that everything you have is from God? It is God who gives us health so that we can work. The circumstances of our work are all under God’s authority; He need only allow a little virus to flourish or create instability in the economy to take our job and whatever we consider secure away from us.
God’s intent, however, is to bless us as His children. But to enjoy this blessing, we need to have the proper attitude of thanksgiving and the understanding of wealth’s purpose as under God’s mandate. Take some time to meditate on Proverbs 3, Matthew 6, Matthew 25, and 2 Corinthians 9 this week. Then ask the Holy Spirit to help you resolve this year to see wealth and its use in the right perspective. Have a blessed week! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam