I have been thinking a lot lately about what the Bible says about money. I want to encourage you to read these passages, let the weight of them really sink in, and then answer the four questions.
Proverbs 30:7-9 (ESV)
Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
1 Timothy 6:8-10 (ESV)
But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Matthew 19:21-24 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “If you would beperfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
Based on these passages, ask yourself these four questions:
- Do you ask that God will give nothing more, and nothing less, than your family’s necessities?
- Are you truly content with food and clothing?
- Do you have a desire to be rich?
- Do you realize that in order to truly enter the kingdom of heaven you may need to completely change your way of thinking about money?
The truth is that most of us are already very rich! Most of us have much more than simple necessities. Yet, many of us continue to chase even more money and even more stuff! Are we doing so at the expense of our souls?
I can honestly say I have a long way to go in changing my attitude and my heart. I pray God will help me to see every cent, with which I have been entrusted, as a stewardship to bring Him honor and glory. I pray God will help me to let go of my love of stuff and will deepen my love for Him, my love for His kingdom, and my love for the lost!
Remember the words of Christ, my brethren, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
I love you and God loves you,
P.S. If you have the time, I would encourage you to go and re-read these passages in their full context.
