Tag: Money

Put the Creator before His creation

   thOW81PXOP

     The world is focused on what they can see and touch. People who don’t have a correct view of God fail to realize that the things we cannot see are much more important and just as real to us if become aware them. The things we see will fade and turn to dust in time. The things we cannot see are the eternal things that have no end. They are also the only things that can bring real fulfillment to the empty places in our lives. People who focus on the things of this world are empty even when they accomplish what they set out to achieve. This is clear because they are always looking to seek even more, they lack the satisfaction we all desire. What they fail to realize is that fulfillment is only found in God and His work which we can only see when we look to Him. He placed an emptiness in us that can only be filled by Him. He desires that all of His chosen look to Him. This is clear in scripture when He calls His people to follow no other god or idol. for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14) God want the recognition from His people. He wants the unconditional love He gives as part of His very essence to be returned in the form of worship and obedience. God wants all glory and praise to be focused on Him alone. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. (Isaiah 42:8)

     The bible uses the concept of money to convey this to us. As we look to scripture I want us to take the word money and allow it to be replaced with whatever other part of creation might fit that place. Anything that gets in the way of you serving God as your only master fits this criteria. It represents anything you seek that might draw you away from your purpose in God. He designed you for a specific purpose. When you seek things other than what God has for you draw your attention away from a calling that will exceed anything you could ever imagine. Refuse to follow God’s creation over God the Creator. Let your Lord lead you in the things that are eternal and come with an everlasting joy and peace. No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money. (Matthew 6:24) Don’t fall victim to the pain and hardship that is inevitable when you seek the lesser things of this world. 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. (1 Timothy 6:10) Let all of your hopes and faith fall upon your Father, the Creator of this universe. Submit your life to God as He leads all things to serve His will. Let your desires be His desires and your will align with His. Only then can your life fall into alignment with the things that we cannot see, the things that are eternal, the things God will bless us with. When God is truly the one we worship, every other part of life can take its rightful place.

Money to Christians

thOW81PXOP

                People long for financial stability. They seek money in order to pay for what they want or feel they need. Most people begin to develop a financial focus in order to erase debt they have accrued. Having a mind that is focused on money leads to a slippery slope that moves us from a focus on the provision of God and toward our own ability to provide. We forget that even our own ability to provide is a provision of God. It is important that seeking money doesn’t outshine our seeking of God. (Luke 16:15) For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The Christian walk should include avoiding debt. Being in debt to a person or a financial institution allows them to have a control over you that should only belong to our Lord. (Proverbs 22:7) The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. This is why God instructed His people to lend the provision He provided, but to never seek provision from outside sources. (Deuteronomy 28:12) you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. God doesn’t look to see you suffer, He looks for His children to rely on their Heavenly Father. Seeking the things and provisions of this world reduce our eternal view of God’s kingdom. (Revelation 3:17)  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. The true treasures belong to our soul, which is eternal and not of this world. We must strive to remain in reliance on the provision of God which leads us in His light and the path He designed for us before the beginning of time. We must be servants to God’s plan and not the materials that the deceiver uses to make us slaves to earthly institutions. We must maintain our focus on who we desire to serve.  (Matthew 6:24) You cannot serve God and money. A focus on money and wealth is a focus on what we own or who we owe. In reality we own nothing because all things will turn to dust as God reigns in Heaven forever, and it is Him that we owe everything. Allow only the provision of God to lead you, keep you, bless you, and overflow from you!