In the world in which we live, money is a necessity. We need money to buy the food we need to live, the clothes we need to wear, and the homes in which we live. So, as I said, money is a necessity. There is nothing inherently wrong with money and our pursuits to attain it. In fact, our ability to attain money is a gift from God (Deuteronomy 8:18). Unfortunately, however, money can also become a hindrance, pulling us away from the things that are truly important.
When money becomes our primary focus in life, when it becomes the thing that our hearts crave the most, that love becomes the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). It’s not money that is the problem here. The problem is the love of money, the desire to possess money above all else that pulls us away from our love of God. Jesus said that we cannot serve God and serve money. We will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one while despising the other (Matthew 6:24).
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.” And, the Roman philosopher, Seneca, said, “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more that is poor.” Money cannot buy us happiness any more thant the possession of money can provide happiness. When money becomes our heart’s desire, we can never be satisfied. All that happens is that a hole is created in our hearts that cannot be filled by anything here on earth. That hole can be filled only by God.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews instructed that we should keep our lives free from the love of money. Instead, we should be content with what we have. Why? Because God has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). In the face of uncertainty and in our times of need, He is there and He will provide for us. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote that he knew what it was like to have plenty and he knew what it was like to be in need, but in all circumstances he learned to be content (Philippians 4:11-12). Paul knew that God will supply all of our needs from His riches and those riches have been given to us through Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
As believers, we must learn to be content with what we have, to make the love of God our heart’s desire, and to serve Him above all earthly wealth.
Like this:
Like Loading...
A Worshiper's Journal 
Very good. Have you read the book The Blessed Life by Robert Morris? I have the CD series if you want to borrow. It has to do with keeping open hands to all who are in need. Highly recommend.
LikeLike