Is your middle name “money”? My question is a silly one but it points to a perspective that many people struggle with unknowingly. King Solomon waxes eloquent by stating: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Eccl. 5:10).
We all know that money is necessary. We need it to meet our financial obligations, take care of our families, and the list goes on and on. The problem God is trying to point out is that of the heart. God is always dealing with our heart…our values, and our priorities. The verse infers that loving money is wrong and meaningless.
But, how do you know if you love money? Solomon gives us one answer when he says: The person who loves money always thinks that they don’t have enough money. The angle of his observation is directed to the person who wants to hoard money. This person sees money as something to be accumulated selfishly. Do you feel that way about money? If you do, then I must lay guilt at your feet by labeling you as one who loves money.
You can also determine if you are a lover of money by checking the color of your palms. Are they green? Does the green dye from the money rub off into your hands when it comes time to tithe? I’ve noticed some people when they raise their hands in worship, their palms are green. God had to pry His offering out of their hands because of their death grip on the cash. I’m sure you’ve realized by now that I’m being a bit facetious. But, the point has been made. Money is to be used for a higher purpose than simply hoarding it for selfish reasons.
Money is to be your servant and not the other way around. Post one of your experiences that demonstrated your change of heart towards money. Or, share with us how you were able to have a conversation with someone who loved money and didn’t know it until you pointed it out.
When I was a teenager,my street name was Dollar Bill, and I chased money until I worked for a supermarket in one of the wealthiest areas of New York. The customers had everything, except the most important thing, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.I made less than minumum wage, yet I experienced maximum joy knowing that true wealth consists not in the abundance of what we possess. Have a Blessed day, Pastor David!
ReplyDeleteIn 2004 after being promoted, put in the annual report and given an achievement award, my position was eliminated. As I prayed about "next steps" and told God that I trusted Him, God said "You are a distribution channel. You will sew $20,000.00 into my kingdom this year". I was out of work for six months and the next job paid less but God be praised, by the time the end of 2004 arrived, I had sewn over $20,000.00 (which FAR exceeded what my tithe would have been with a job). God is our provider!
ReplyDeleteI can't really recall a particular experience that triggered a change of heart about money, But growing up my mother always told us..."if you hold-on to something too tight... it will never come back to you".
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