Bling Bling
Posted by:
Bible Blogger on
February 16, 2007 at
6:15PM EST
I've had some interesting thoughts over the last few years regarding
wealth. I will freely admit there was a time in my life where I was
really concerned with chasing money and wealth. I think a lot of us
can get quickly caught up in the chase of money with society so driven
by status based on "stuff" instead of the person you are inside. If
you own a big house and big car and big boat then people will look up
to you regardless how much of a jerk you are because you're successful.
However, that's not God's way for us to live and in the last year I've really seen the other side of this coin.
"No servant 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."" - Luke 16:13 (ESV)
I've been able to see people who have little in what the world terms as
"riches" but has still been blessed beyond belief by the Lord. They've
dedicated themselves to teaching the Gospel, to feeding the homeless or
just stepping out in faith to a new ministry that had no guarantee of
success.
The interesting thing about the whole picture was that while these
people were never rolling in cash they always seemed to have enough to
survive and meet all their obligations. Most of the time they also had
a little left over for something nice like a movie or dinner. On top
of all of it...they had the joy of serving the Lord.
At the same time I've been able to look from the outside at some
friends who are obsessed with money. They work 50-60 hours a week to
make sure they have cash for the big boat the the lake. They take
vacations where they fly around the country and stay at the best
hotels. They're also up to their eyeballs in debt and they have no
savings if something happens but they do get to see Brad Pitt walk the
red carpet.
Which sounds more satisfying to you? The temporary glow of money or the deep satisfaction of God's service?
The kicker to all of this is that God doesn't necessarily want everyone
to be poor. Serving God doesn't mean a destitute life where you live
on nothing but Ramen noodles and toilet water. There's a very real
possibility that God could decide to make you a multi-millionaire!
"Rich" and "Christian" aren't necessarily opposites despite what many
thinks because of Jesus talked regarding the rich young ruler.
But remember...Jesus didn't say it was impossible for a rich man to get
in but that it was easier for a camel to get through the eye of a
needle. Why? It's a lot easier to fall in love with money when you
have a lot of it. Still...a Christian could be blessed with God's
riches. Look at this verse:
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one
who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." - Luke 16:10 (ESV)
That means when God can trust you with the little things He'll also
trust you with the big things. That DOES include money! So realize
that when you develop discipline in finances it puts you in a position
where God can trust you with more money.
Now...He may not as well. I'm not promising you wealth and I'm
certainly not asking you to "name it and claim it." I'm just saying
God himself has said when He can trust you with little He can trust you
with much and it didn't say that money was excluded from that trust of
God.
