March 11, 2024
Melissa Valerio
The other day, my 9-year-old son said he wanted to be rich when he grows up. He wants a big house, a Lamborghini in the garage, and fancy clothes to wear. “Hmmm,” I said “Well, you know what’s better than having all that?” I asked, “Jesus” he answered. “Yes!” I replied, “because when you have Jesus, you have everything.” Why settle for a little when you can have everything with Jesus?
Money is God’s idea. He created it; He constructed the entire economic system of buying and selling. It was His idea to use money as barter to get the things we need. His idea to use money in exchange for work. His idea to give money as a gift to those in need. If God made money and gave it specific purpose, then why are we warned so harshly about it? I think it’s because of what it can do, if we allow it to.
In James 5:1-6, James warns the early church of the dangers of allowing the pleasures of money to cloud their hearts. “Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you.” (CSB) Miseries are coming, he says, because of their twisted view of money and for using it in selfish ways. God is not opposed to money, He is opposed to us loving it more than Him and using it in selfish ways. As this scripture lists, He does not want us to:
- Hoard it up for ourselves (build bigger barns for more stuff)
- Withold money from those we owe it to
- Live a self-indulgent life where all our money is spent on ourselves
- Condemn those around us by withholding money God has given us to help others in need
So, here’s my lesson for my son….if God blesses you with a big house, nice car, and fancy clothes, fine. Thank Him for the abundance of wealth that He has given you. Just remember where it came from (God), who it truly belongs to (God), who it’s actually meant for (not you), and how it’s meant to be used (on others). Money can be a blessing, so long as it’s used appropriately.
Prayer: Dear God, You know that money is a struggle for most of us. Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that more money equals a better life. But that’s not necessarily true. Help correct our beliefs on this issue. Help us realize that money is a tool You have given us, not only to meet our needs, but to also bless others with. Keep our hearts fully devoted to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Action: A bit of self-denial never hurts anyone. This week, go without something you love in favor of giving it to someone in need. For example, instead of grabbing your regular coffee at Starbucks, buy a coworker lunch. Instead of getting your nails done, give $20 to your local church. Find a way to bless someone else with the money you would normally spend on yourself.