Money

“Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.”

Proverbs 13:7 NLT (http://bible.com/116/pro.13.7.nlt)

As the political season gears up for the presidential contenders there will be a lot of talk pitting the rich against the poor. This idea that money is the one thing that defines who we are is a ridiculous notion but many feel it does. Since the early days of human life on this planet we have been trying to get "stuff". I certainly fall into that trap also. I have plenty "stuff" . I don't want to embarrass myself by listing those things here. But, I do TRY to dedicate all my things to the Lord. Really everything I have is not my own, it ALL belongs to the Lord. 

This is a curious verse. Stop and think about it. What does it mean to "pretend" to be rich or poor? Those that live beyond their means are certainly pretending to be rich. They don't really have things, they borrow them. The rich that pretend to be poor live well within their means and  make sure they are not over extended. It is so easy to make mistakes with your money and live beyond what you earn. I certainly have made those mistakes and have suffered because of it. It affects your entire life, but you can recover. I'm not sure I can say  I have it all figured out. I do know the more I dedicate my life and my things to the work of the Lord, the more I am blessed and the more peaceful my life is. 

Thank you Lord for watching over me. Continue to watch over all parts of my life including my finances. I dedicate all that I have to you and for your glory. Watch over my daughters and their families. Their is nothing than can tear a family apart more than the stress of money. Help us to use common sense and to pray about everything including the use of our funds. Thank you Lord for your patience with me and the forgiveness you have granted when I have used poor judgment with my money. You are amazing and I love you more than life itself. You truly are amazing! Amen!

Riches!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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 NIV)

I struggle with these verses. I really think I have a lot of stuff. I have quite a few things vulnerable to rust, moths, and vermin. By the standard of the world, I am rich, or wealthy, or any other adjective you can come up with. But, everything is relative. I don't feel like I have a lot of excesses. I live in a moderate home, I have two vehicles that aren't extravagant. I have clothes that were purchased using good stewardship. I don't waste money on fancy restaurants. I have taken some nice vacations. But even those were done so in a very frugal manner. I give to church, charities, and ministries in a very positive way. So, am I rich, am I violating the tenants of these verses? Ultimately it's a question only God can answer and in order to make sure my priorities are correct, I need to be in constant prayer about my finances and my budget. 

I am comfortable and I know I have God to thank for those blessings. I also know what it's like to suffer financially. I have learned tough lessons with my own spending. God has been teaching. I am listening. But, it might sound cliche, I really own nothing. God owns it all. I have been blessed with it all, not for me and my own statisfaction, but for his glory. You are the same way. If you have a lot or you have a little, you are expected to use it for his kingdom. Once I lose sight of God in my daily spending and finances, all the things I have become nothing more than rust. So, I promise Lord, to keep you in the middle of all I do in 2015. I will use my resources for your kingdom, Lord, not my own joy. 

Dear Lord, I am humbled by how you have blessed me and my family. It has been a road filled with challenges but I've always been aware of your presence. Thank you Lord! I give you all that I have physically and spiritually. I praise you for your love, mercy, and grace! Amen!

People vs Stuff

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

How satisfied are you? Do you have everything you need or are you constantly wanting more? What is it that you want more of? I have a bunch of stuff, but I also am blessed beyond "stuff"! I have grown content with the material blessings of my life. I find myself focusing now on gaining more relationships, more meaningful people and more of God in my life. I am so thankful and amazed how God is changing me.

Thank you Lord for always being by my side. Thank you for being patient when I have been more focused on things than people. It's not by my power, but through your spirit, that I have been changed. Life is so much better with people instead of stuff. Please continue to transform me. Use me to serve others and to help them realize life is about people! 

Can you have too much money?

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 NIV)

This scripture ends a lesson Jesus shared with his followers. It's after he shares how impossible it is for a rich man to get to Heaven. He drives home the point that it is tough to handle wealth and the power accompanied by it. As a matter of fact, it's not the wealth, it's the power it provides that corrupts even the mightiest man. Money is not the problem, the hearts of men, that's the problem. Accepting the grace of Jesus Christ when you are filled with earthly power, that's the problem.

Money is not the problem in our society. The unbalanced incomes are not the problem. I don't believe God puts a limit on the amount of money we are allowed to have. You can't have too much money. The real problem in our society is the distribution of power and how that power is used. The powerful people of this world need to help the powerless. Yes, many of the powerful people of this world are wealthy. But, some of those people use that power, use that money, for good. They donate and support much of the charity work in their local communities. They help schools, churches, homeless shelters, hospitals, and numerous other organizations. If these "power" people have a heart for Jesus, their power, their money, will be used for the kingdom. We need to worry more about the hearts of people and not their wealth. We need to see that all people need Jesus. When you accept Jesus and begin pursuing a life as a servant, you will start to use your power to help the poor, widows, orphans, and the lost. 

God blesses us with financial resources, not for our good or our power. He grants us those blessing to use for his service. We all have power to help others and we all have resources to make some impact on the lives of others. Use your blessings, use your wealth, use your resources for Gods purposes. Accept the grace and realize all the power you are given is a gift from God. The only real power comes from the creator of the universe.

Spending your life savings!

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NIV)

What's the most expensive purchase you have ever made? I am sure, for most of you, your house is the most expensive purchase. Some of you it might be your college education. If you add it up, college can really be expensive. Others might include a business purchase, property, or a multitude of items. I remember the first house my wife and I purchased. We had to sacrifice so much to do it. The stress of making a purchase like that is incredible. Some people purchase homes way beyond their reasonable means. I have even heard home owners that can't afford furniture to decorate that new home because of the expense. They gave up everything and live on the edge just for the image. That's crazy.

Now think about the crazy sacrifice God made. He sacrificed his only son so we could live. The comparison of these sacrifices is immeasurable. Who would give their life intentionally for someone else. It wasn't money, fame, or fortune that God decided to come to Earth. It was love that drove Jesus to the cross for us. He did it so we could spend time in eternity with him, true sacrifice. God gave up more than his life savings and he spent it on a sinful, unforgiving people that ignore him, ridicule him, and mock him on a daily basis. He knows that's how we are and he did it anyway.

Occupy Wall Street: "Capitalism is not the problem."

Acts 19

 ²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”


It's funny how things never change. Even after 2000 years, money is king. They say money is the root of all evil. It may not be the root of all evil, but it's close. Right now in America we have a movement called "Occupy Wall Street". As I'm sure most of you can tell, I'm a conservative at heart. But, I can certainly relate to some of the things coming out of "OWS". Our country bailed out big banks, we bailed out big business in the auto industry, we tried propping up businesses like Solyndra and the Federal Reserve runs the country. Why? Because greed and money have the same allure today as it did in the time of the early church. 


The problem in our country doesn't have anything to do with capitalism. The key to the problems in our country is centered around our rejection of Christ. A true Christian can't be greedy. A true Christian country takes care of it's poor and takes the blessings God has given to help others. Our Country was founded on Christian values. I still believe those values are present at the core. 


I believe the silent majority in this country, the ones without the power, are so busy living their daily lives, they don't get involved. They don't take the time to fight to keep our values, they are busy living them, raising their families, and taking care of their own piece of the world. I would have to put myself in that same category. I don't have time to "Occupy Wall Street" or protest with the Tea Party crowd. I'm busy with my daily life. Wether it's right or wrong, thats the way it is. I don't spend my time trying to make more money. I don't play the lottery, I don't gamble, I am satisfied with what I have. I am satisfied with my blessings. I am satisfied with my life. Greed doesn't have a hold in my life or the life of my grown family. Frankly, If everyone would just concentrate on living their daily lives for Christ and accepting the blessings they've been given we wouldn't have to worry about the values of our country. Turning to our Savior, Jesus Christ is the key. You can never be satisfied until you turn to him. Once you learn to rely on the KING of KINGS, money will no longer have  a grip on you. You will be so busy worshipping God you won't want to worship money!