Seventh-Adventist Devotional For Children: “Treasure In Heaven: Choosing Godliness Over Greed”

DAILY BREAD – DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN

EASTERN NIGERIA UNION CONFERENCE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Title: Treasure in Heaven: Choosing Godliness Over Greed

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

God loves each and every one of us, including children, and wants us to have joyful and fulfilling lives. In this verse from 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul reminds us that the love of money can lead us away from God and cause many problems in our lives. Instead, God wants us to value godliness, which means living in a way that pleases Him and shows His love to others.

Once, there was a young girl named Emem. She loved collecting colorful seashells at the beach. Every time she found a beautiful seashell, she would pick it up and carefully add it to her growing collection. Emem’s friends also enjoyed collecting seashells, but some of them only wanted to find the biggest and shiniest shells. They would push each other and rush to grab the “best” ones, even if it meant hurting their friends.
One sunny day, while walking along the shore, Emem noticed a small boy struggling to reach a seashell that was washed up on a rock. His name was Peter. Emem immediately rushed to his aid, helping him retrieve the shell. As they started talking, Emem discovered that Peter loved seashells just as much as she did, but he collected not for their value, but for the memories they held.
Peter explained that each seashell reminded him of a special moment he spent with his family on the beach. He cherished the laughter and joy they shared while hunting for shells, and each one held a story that made him smile. Emem realized that her own collection was missing something more significant—memories and the joy of selflessly helping others.
From that day on, Emem’s perspective changed. Instead of constantly searching for the shiniest and biggest shells, she focused on creating memories with her family and friends. She learned the importance of valuing relationships and showing kindness to others, just as Jesus taught.

Just like Emem, let us remember that the real treasures in life are not the things we can hold in our hands but the memories we make and the love we share with those around us. May we choose to value godliness and love for others over the pursuit of material possessions, because the truest treasure of all is found in our relationship with God.

Thought for Reflection
God wants us to have all that we need and even some things that we want, but He doesn’t want money or things to become more important to us than our love for Him. It’s easy to see why we might want lots of money because it can buy fun toys, nice clothes, and other things we like. But Paul warns us that making money our top priority can hurt our faith and bring us unhappiness. Take a moment now to think about what truly matters to you. Reflect on the importance of valuing godliness, loving others, and using your resources in ways that honor God. Thank Him for the blessings in your life and ask Him to help you prioritize what truly brings joy and fulfillment. Remember that true treasures are found in our relationship with God and in loving and caring for others.

Song
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Refrain
Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your love and care for us. Help us to understand the importance of valuing godliness above all else, especially the pursuit of money and material possessions. Give us grateful hearts that recognize the true treasures found in knowing and loving You. Lord, we ask for Your guidance and protection as we navigate this world filled with many temptations and desires. Keep our hearts and minds focused on You, and may we find joy in pleasing You and serving others. Help us to be content with what we have and to share generously with those in need. Teach us to value relationships more than things, knowing that spending time with family and friends is a gift from You. Help us to use the resources You’ve given us to bless others and make a positive difference in their lives. We pray that You would empower us to choose godliness over greed, putting our trust in You and following Your ways. May our lives reflect Your love, grace, and joy, even in a world that constantly tells us to seek after more. In Jesus’ loving name, we pray, Amen.