"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."
What is God saying?
If we want to have a good life, if we want to prosper and have honor, then we need to focus on both righteousness AND love. Pursuing righteousness means that we are working to develop our inner character. Pursuing love means that we are working to develop our relationships with others. And when we have a good character and good relationships, we will prosper and be able to experience all the goodness of life.
What is God saying to us today?
It is so easy for us to approach life backwards - to pursue prosperity first and foremost. While that approach might bring some material success, it doesn't seem to bring us true prosperity. If it did, we wouldn't hear about so many corrupt politicians, unfaithful celebrities, and broke financial advisors . And this is not just a problem for people that make the headlines it happens to us auto mechanics, dentists, waiters, and pastors as well - so many of us seem willing to sacrifice our character and our relationships on the altar of prosperity. But, if we truly want to succeed in life we need to pursue righteousness and love first.
What is God inviting us to do?
Today, will you start to work on that part of your character that least reflects the image of God? Today, are you willing to make your relationships with others a priority? God is calling us to pursue righteousness and love, because He wants us to truly prosper!