It’s not hard to understand why people long to be financially secure and dream of winning the Lottery. People can’t help but dream of a life where every need is taken care of in advance and all fears of the unknown tomorrow are laid to rest. But money does not perform that work in us.
We have convinced ourselves that money will take away our anxiety about tomorrow. We believe that with enough money we will never need to worry about anything again. But one can plainly see that the Millionaires in our world are not the most peaceful, content and worry-free among us.
Having money usually brings more anxiety along with it. Keeping money and protecting it and finding ways to earn more of it is a never-ending process that consumes the human mind and poisons the heart. Money does not bring us peace, or happiness, or joy. A recent study by the University of Rochester confirms this fact. In the study, one of the researchers, Edward Deci, a professor of psychology, concluded that, "even though our culture puts a strong emphasis on attaining wealth and fame, pursuing these goals does not contribute to having a satisfying life.”
In fact, according to the results of this study, being rich, famous, well-respected, or beautiful can actually have the opposite effect. It can actually make you miserable.
Want proof? Just watch a half hour entertainment news program on television and you’ll see the evidence: Drug abuse, infidelity, diva tantrums, criminal acts, psychological meltdowns, and other assorted examples of self-destructive behavior. It’s no different for politicians, CEO’s or lottery winners either.
The secret to real happiness and contentment is not found in the things of this world. It’s not found in our circumstance. I’ve met people who are dirt poor and yet full of joy. I’ve met people who are rich beyond belief and yet still empty inside.
In Matthew 6, Jesus confidently assures us that, if we will change our perspective to align with the Kingdom of God, we can enjoy the peaceful, stress free sort of life we’ve always dreamed of. According to Jesus we already have all we need for our life today. God has already provided each of us with our daily bread. Just as God cares for the daily needs of sparrows, He cares even more for us.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" - Matthew 6:25-26
Jesus also tells us that we do not need to worry about tomorrow. Why? Because God has everything - absolutely everything - under complete and perfect control.
"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:31-34
Of course, if God is in control, that means that you and I are not. This is what most of us really struggle with. But we can't have it both ways. If God is in control, we are not. That's why trusting God is so important. Without trust, we are filled with anxiety and strife. But if we can let go of everything and trust that God is good, that He really loves us, and that He really only wants what’s best for us, then trusting Him is the only response that makes sense.
So, who is truly rich? Isn't it the person who has all they need right now and who has no fear or anxiety about tomorrow? Jesus urges us to live that way right now. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, our daily bread is secure and Jesus has tomorrow under complete control.
If you have eyes to see the Kingdom, you have already won the greatest Lottery of all. You are a child of the Creator of the Universe. You’ve been adopted into His family. He loves you. Everything is going to be alright.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:11-13
-kg
Showing posts with label love of money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love of money. Show all posts
Friday, October 07, 2011
Thursday, July 08, 2010
HALF A HEART
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” – (Matthew 6:24)
It was a beautiful summer day. I was walking in the mountains of New Mexico on my way to share lunch with a few college friends after attending a seminar on spiritual warfare. This was an oasis moment for me. I was feeling close to God, and I was surrounded by godly men and women who had gathered to seek His face for a weeklong retreat in the clear blue skies of Glorietta, New Mexico.
I walked slowly beneath the towering pines and inhaled the deep perfection of this moment. God loved me. I loved Him. My life was full of possibility and hope. Everything was right with the world. But then I heard something that made me stop in my tracks.
“I can’t use half a heart, or half a man.”
That’s what I heard. Clear as day, in my heart, this phrase was spoken softly, yet unmistakably.
I dropped my head. “Was I holding something back from God,” I wondered? Why had this voice spoken to my heart in the midst of a such a glorious and holy moment?
My steps after this were even slower, contemplative, and full of introspection.
As I continued to walk, I began to pray. “Search my heart, Oh God. Help me to give you all of me, not just half, or part of me, but everything.”
I’ve been praying that ever since.
Jesus tells us that we cannot serve both God and Money, or anything else for that matter. God wants to be first in our heart, and in our lives. He does not want to be our buddy. He does not want to be our co-pilot. Either He is at the wheel or we’re on the wrong plane.
As I contemplate this verse in Matthew, I wonder at the phrasing Jesus used here. Of course, the main point being made is that we cannot serve two masters. But Jesus speaks specifically about money here. In fact, he seems to be suggesting something interesting – that if we serve God we will hate money. Do you get that? If Jesus is talking about serving God, or serving Money, then in this illustration he is saying that we will either love God and hate money, or we will love money and hate God. It seems as if he is warning us that loving money will cause us to hate God, and that conversely, loving God will cause us to hate money, or at least the love of money.
This statement comes immediately after another verse where Jesus talks about our treasure.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – (Matthew 6:19-21)
Whenever we find ourselves wondering how much better our lives would be if we could just win the lottery, or get that raise, or deposit that bonus check, or get more money, I think we’re in danger of putting our hopes in the almighty dollar and not the Almighty.
I’ve certainly been in the place where having more money – even just a little more – would have made my life less painful. For those seasons when I was out of work for a year or more it was all I could think about, really. The process of cutting back on our expenses, eating simple meals, abstaining from fast food, and watching our budget was very difficult. But I realize that this was God’s way of putting to death my flesh. The pain I was experiencing when I went to work at a lousy temp job for peanuts was my pride being poisoned. The pain I felt when I knew I couldn’t take my kids out to eat on a Saturday was my flesh being crucified. Sure, I wanted to have that extra money in my pocket. Why? Because it would take away my pain and make my life a little easier to manage. But enduring that pain and accepting that death to self was what kept my eyes on Jesus. It was a blessing to me to depend upon Him for everything.
Whenever I catch myself musing over how good it would be to have a little more spending money, I have to remember these words of Jesus. Is my hope in money, or is it in God? Do I trust that He has my life under control or do I wish that more money would flow into my hands so that I could escape my current situation?
Money will not save us. Money will not make us happier people. As followers of Jesus, we must place our trust – our entire hope – in Him alone. Even our prayers to Him should be focused on Him as our source of life and joy, not on our need for money to make us happy. Jesus isn’t a tool for obtaining more money, and money isn’t our source for abundant life. Jesus is our life, and with our without money, we will find our everything in Him.
-kg
It was a beautiful summer day. I was walking in the mountains of New Mexico on my way to share lunch with a few college friends after attending a seminar on spiritual warfare. This was an oasis moment for me. I was feeling close to God, and I was surrounded by godly men and women who had gathered to seek His face for a weeklong retreat in the clear blue skies of Glorietta, New Mexico.
I walked slowly beneath the towering pines and inhaled the deep perfection of this moment. God loved me. I loved Him. My life was full of possibility and hope. Everything was right with the world. But then I heard something that made me stop in my tracks.
“I can’t use half a heart, or half a man.”
That’s what I heard. Clear as day, in my heart, this phrase was spoken softly, yet unmistakably.
I dropped my head. “Was I holding something back from God,” I wondered? Why had this voice spoken to my heart in the midst of a such a glorious and holy moment?
My steps after this were even slower, contemplative, and full of introspection.
As I continued to walk, I began to pray. “Search my heart, Oh God. Help me to give you all of me, not just half, or part of me, but everything.”
I’ve been praying that ever since.
Jesus tells us that we cannot serve both God and Money, or anything else for that matter. God wants to be first in our heart, and in our lives. He does not want to be our buddy. He does not want to be our co-pilot. Either He is at the wheel or we’re on the wrong plane.
As I contemplate this verse in Matthew, I wonder at the phrasing Jesus used here. Of course, the main point being made is that we cannot serve two masters. But Jesus speaks specifically about money here. In fact, he seems to be suggesting something interesting – that if we serve God we will hate money. Do you get that? If Jesus is talking about serving God, or serving Money, then in this illustration he is saying that we will either love God and hate money, or we will love money and hate God. It seems as if he is warning us that loving money will cause us to hate God, and that conversely, loving God will cause us to hate money, or at least the love of money.
This statement comes immediately after another verse where Jesus talks about our treasure.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – (Matthew 6:19-21)
Whenever we find ourselves wondering how much better our lives would be if we could just win the lottery, or get that raise, or deposit that bonus check, or get more money, I think we’re in danger of putting our hopes in the almighty dollar and not the Almighty.
I’ve certainly been in the place where having more money – even just a little more – would have made my life less painful. For those seasons when I was out of work for a year or more it was all I could think about, really. The process of cutting back on our expenses, eating simple meals, abstaining from fast food, and watching our budget was very difficult. But I realize that this was God’s way of putting to death my flesh. The pain I was experiencing when I went to work at a lousy temp job for peanuts was my pride being poisoned. The pain I felt when I knew I couldn’t take my kids out to eat on a Saturday was my flesh being crucified. Sure, I wanted to have that extra money in my pocket. Why? Because it would take away my pain and make my life a little easier to manage. But enduring that pain and accepting that death to self was what kept my eyes on Jesus. It was a blessing to me to depend upon Him for everything.
Whenever I catch myself musing over how good it would be to have a little more spending money, I have to remember these words of Jesus. Is my hope in money, or is it in God? Do I trust that He has my life under control or do I wish that more money would flow into my hands so that I could escape my current situation?
Money will not save us. Money will not make us happier people. As followers of Jesus, we must place our trust – our entire hope – in Him alone. Even our prayers to Him should be focused on Him as our source of life and joy, not on our need for money to make us happy. Jesus isn’t a tool for obtaining more money, and money isn’t our source for abundant life. Jesus is our life, and with our without money, we will find our everything in Him.
-kg
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
TWO NEW ARTICLES AT POVERTYINTHEOC.COM
Just posted two new articles over at
POVERTYINTHEOC.COM
*NEW HOMELESS DOLL FROM AMERICAN GIRL STORES - ONLY $95
*GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR WIDENS IN THE U.S.
POVERTYINTHEOC.COM
*NEW HOMELESS DOLL FROM AMERICAN GIRL STORES - ONLY $95
*GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR WIDENS IN THE U.S.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
He Who Dies With the Most Toys Loses
(Sigh)...Once again our priorities in the American Church are sadly misplaced.
We claim to follow a God who gave away everything to save us. We are encouraged to be like Him and to surrender our resources for the good of others rather than hording it all to comfort ourselves while others suffer.
Today's news brought this:
Televangelist builds $4 Million Mansion – Lays Off Workers; Freezes Wages & Retirement Accounts
“A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated, lakefront community, while at the same time his ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats to save money in its new headquarters...
“In addition to laying off workers, the newspaper reported, the ministry froze wages and stopped making contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts. The thermostat on the network's new building was cut to 65 degree during the winter.”
READ THE FULL STORY
HERE
Believe it or not, Jesus spent a lot of time warning his disciples against the lure of money and it’s adverse affects on those who seek the Kingdom of God.
Listen to Jesus:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to 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 man to enter the kingdom of God." – Matthew 19:23-24
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." - Luke 16:13
"Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are." - Matthew 6:19-21
“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." – Luke 12:15
As we follow Jesus, let’s not forget that His Kingdom is upside down from this world we live in. Success is found in giving away our possessions. Greatness is found at the feet of others, serving them and loving them.
He who dies with the most toys loses.
-kg
We claim to follow a God who gave away everything to save us. We are encouraged to be like Him and to surrender our resources for the good of others rather than hording it all to comfort ourselves while others suffer.
Today's news brought this:
Televangelist builds $4 Million Mansion – Lays Off Workers; Freezes Wages & Retirement Accounts
“A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated, lakefront community, while at the same time his ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats to save money in its new headquarters...
“In addition to laying off workers, the newspaper reported, the ministry froze wages and stopped making contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts. The thermostat on the network's new building was cut to 65 degree during the winter.”
READ THE FULL STORY
HERE
Believe it or not, Jesus spent a lot of time warning his disciples against the lure of money and it’s adverse affects on those who seek the Kingdom of God.
Listen to Jesus:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to 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 man to enter the kingdom of God." – Matthew 19:23-24
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." - Luke 16:13
"Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are." - Matthew 6:19-21
“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." – Luke 12:15
As we follow Jesus, let’s not forget that His Kingdom is upside down from this world we live in. Success is found in giving away our possessions. Greatness is found at the feet of others, serving them and loving them.
He who dies with the most toys loses.
-kg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)