MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Did you catch it? Money isn’t evil. But the love of money is. What is your relationship with money? Is it in your thoughts continually on how to get more? When you get more, then what? Are you still thinking on how to get even more?

Money is necessary in our day and time. We need it to pay for housing, food, clothes, utilities, insurance, etc. Back in the good old days, they were able to barter with each other – exchange one thing or service for another. That won’t work in today’s grocery stores, mortgage companies or department stores. We need money to live.

But there are those who want money, no matter the cost. If we were to visit a prison and talk to the thieves, burglars and embezzlers, I wonder if they would say it was worth it. I can’t imagine they would. After all, they are in prison and unable to use any of what they have stolen. But what about those that haven’t been caught? They may have fooled themselves into believing that it is worth it as they are enjoying their ill gotten gains. But will it be worth it when they stand before God?

The root of evil starts out small. Maybe when you were a child you stole a pack of gum from the candy store. Did you feel guilty? Did the guilt eat at you until you confessed? Or did you rejoice that you did not get caught? Your thievery was a success! And now you want to try to get bigger and better stuff. The root starts to grow. It seems easier to steal than to work for the money. You see what someone else has and you want it, so you steal it. You lie to yourself saying that they have lots of money. Or, they have insurance to cover it, so it’s no loss to them. Lies start creeping in and soon we have convinced ourselves that we are not hurting anyone. Really? No one? We have traded our soul for things that will perish. You have heard “the one with the most toys wins.” God has something to say about that.

1Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Timothy 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
1Timothy 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

When we die, we leave it all here (1Timothy 6:7). All we have is our soul. Unless we sold it to the devil because of our love for money. It’s true we can’t take it with us, but we can send it ahead.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, what lies do we tell ourselves? At work, do we take little things here and there (pens, pads, paper)? Do we think “I haven’t had a raise in years – this is owed to me!” The lies start out small. Typically, a job is 8 hours a day and there is usually a lunch break somewhere in the middle. Do you work all the hours – all 8 of them? Do you steal a few minutes here, an hour there, for personal business? Your employer may allow this – especially when business is slow and that is a wonderful benefit. But for those that don’t allow it, this becomes theft to the employer. You are stealing their time.

The root can then continue to grow and then you're skimming cash off the top. Who’s gonna know? God! We can do nothing behind His back. Skimming cash can lead to embezzling the employer’s funds. Many have gone to jail for this very crime. You see, it’s not just a sin – it is also a crime.

Contentment is the answer. When we are content with what we have, we won’t be looking for ways to score riches.

Look around you – what do you have? A place to live? Even if it is only sleeping on a friend’s couch - it is still shelter. Do you have food? Even if it is only ramen noodles – it is food. Do you have transportation? Even if you don’t own a car, there are other ways to get around – bus, taxi, a friend. Do you have clothing? Even if they are not designer jeans or the latest fashion – they still cover your body.

God’s word says that He will provide and He does. If you have a place to sleep, food to eat and clothes to wear, you have been provided for. God does not promise luxury homes, expensive cars, designer clothes or gourmet meals. He gives us what we need. How we use what He provides will determine what we end up with. If we squander what He has given us, it is our fault if we go without.

What have you done with the things God has provided? Did you use the resources wisely? If so, then you most likely have what you need. When we waste what we are given, it creates a need in us to want more. And then the root starts growing.

So, instead of complaining about things you don’t have, give thanks to God for the things you do have. Focus on all that has been provided. Be grateful for the little things. If we are faithful with a little, we can then be trusted with more.

Luke 16:10-12 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

The secret to enjoying life? Be grateful, thankful and content with what you have.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

CONTENTMENT

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

“I wish I could win the lottery – that would solve everything!” Would it? Or does it just raise the level of what you want? I have read stories of lottery winners that have squandered all their money. It didn’t solve anything. But it did create a whole new set of problems. Now some may say “that’s okay – I would rather have those problems than the ones I have.” Really? Without even knowing what that could mean? Why do we think that money is the answer? Because Ecclesiastes 10:19 says so! Unfortunately, we misread what is being said. Money is needed to buy food – solves that problem. Money is needed when we want to go out and have some fun with our friends – solves that problem too. However, it doesn’t solve everything. Solomon had all the money in the world and yet he still wasn’t happy.

What will make us happy? Contentment. If we are not happy with what we have, we will never be happy with anything else. Contentment is the key to happiness.

“I would be content if I could just have a bigger house.” I don’t think so. A bigger house may give you more room but it also creates a want to fill it with more things.

When you are sad or unhappy, how do you find comfort? Do you run to the Lord? Or do you run to people, food or things? You have heard of retail therapy. We have a bad day so we go shopping. There is something about buying something new that brightens our spirit. But why does it? It is just a thing. Once we get home, the feeling passes and we are back to where we started. Now we need to go shopping again. Retail therapy does not last long. We have to keep doing it. We spend money we shouldn’t on things we don’t need. Our house gets full but our hearts don’t. Only God can give us the kind of comfort that lasts and He doesn’t use things to do it.

When you are feeling down, pray. God can lift your spirit. When you are feeling sad, pray. God can put a smile on your face that doesn’t cost any money. Are you unhappy? God can fill your heart with joy. God is the answer to everything – not money.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

When we are not content with what we have, it can lead us into sin. (the 10th commandment). Wanting what our neighbor has is an age old problem. Keeping up with the Jones’! Who are the Jones’? And what do they have that is so wonderful we all want it? Now we have entertained another sin – jealousy. We don’t like it when someone else has something that we don’t have. Along with that is envy. When we are not content it opens up the door to sin and more sin.

But what do we do about it? Well, the answer is prayer. Pray that God will give you more? No! Pray that God will change your heart so that you can be content with what you have. Talk to the Lord. Tell Him why you are not content. Do you think others look down on you because you don’t drive an expensive car? Does it hurt your pride? Oh boy. Now we have another sin to deal with.

Covetousness, jealousy, envy and pride. All because we are not content with what we have.

“How do I change things? I created a lifestyle I can’t afford so that I can look good.” Ahhh . . . so, it’s not that God didn’t provide but that your eyes were bigger than your paycheck. Changes will need to be made. Pray that God will help you get rid of the pride issue. Pride is what leads you into debt. Envy and jealousy keep you there. If we can get rid of pride, jealousy and envy will follow. Then our hearts can be content.

Change won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Think of it! No longer caring what others have. Just enjoying your own life. Not worrying about when the bills are due – because there won’t be any. Living beneath your means gives you room to breathe. The bills are paid on time and there is money left over. You would have enough. Contentment. Wouldn’t that be a great feeling?

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

TAXES

Romans 13:6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Taxes! Don’t we hate that word?! There is an old saying: “There are only 2 sure things in life – death & taxes!” People have been taxed for thousands of years. We pay taxes for our government. We may not like those who govern us – after all we didn’t vote for them! But, someone did. A lot of someones. We put the people in power that make the laws concerning our taxes. And God’s Word says that we are to pay our taxes to whom they are due.

Okay, okay, I’ll pay my taxes. But I am going to pay as little as possible! As long as we are honest, there is no problem with that. Do we lie and cheat on our taxes just so that we don’t have to pay them? That brings us to the 8th commandment (Exodus 20:15). When we lie and cheat on our taxes, we are stealing what is owed to the government.

But the taxes aren’t fair! What is fair? Things that are fair for you may not be fair to anyone else. And vice versa. Not only that, but nowhere in the Bible does it say that life is fair.

So what can we do about it? Pray!

1Timothy 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

When elections come around, we pray that the right people will be elected. People that will make good decisions and godly choices. People that will use God’s wisdom. If those people don’t get elected, then we pray that God will touch the hearts of those elected. That God will show Himself to them and that they will respond to His voice. No matter who runs the government, they all need prayer. We must remember that God is in control.

God makes it clear that we are to submit to our government.

Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

1Peter 2:13-14 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

1Peter 2: 15-16 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
1Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

God puts people in power and He takes them out. Those in power are there for a reason. Sometimes He uses a ruler to punish the people of that nation – a consequence of their sin. As you read the Old Testament you can see how the people behaved under their kings. A bad king can lead his nation to do bad things. But the people still have a choice! God will use other nations to discipline the bad ones. Bottom line is that God is in control.

When we are honest in filing our taxes and paying them we honor God. Remember, God provides and gives us the means to pay our taxes. (Even Jesus paid taxes. Matthew 17:24-27) God has provided for us and given us enough. Are we telling Him that He is lacking in what He provides? Or is it the way we handle what we are given?

I know one of the problems with paying taxes is that we have no control over what the government does with our money. Some of it is used to help the poor and low income families. That’s a good thing! But some of it is also used for war. Not a good thing! Some of it is used to provide healthcare for the elderly and low income families. A good thing! But some is also used to provide funding for organizations that perform abortions. A very bad thing! So how do we reconcile this? We don’t. We have no control over these things but God does.

Prayer is the only way to have a say in what happens to our taxes once it is paid. God will use it according to His will. Sometimes it will be a blessing. When laws change and we get a bigger tax refund, we rejoice. But laws can also change that take a bigger chunk out of our paycheck. There is no tax law that everyone will consider fair. People will always complain that they pay too much while others pay too little.

But who gave you the money to begin with? If God has provided the money and if God is in control of the governments, shouldn’t we trust Him to do whatever needs to be done?

Taxes are necessary to run our government and keep our nation free. It comes at a cost. You have heard the saying “no such thing as a free lunch.” Well, freedom costs money. (It also costs lives, but that is another story.) We have much to enjoy and be thankful for in this country. Someone has to pay the tab. And those in government that control how the “tab” gets paid need our prayers. We can’t control the government but God can (and does!). Every time we start to complain about our taxes, let’s lift up our leaders in prayer instead. Prayer changes things!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

A DAY OF REST

Nehemiah 10:31 “ if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.”

Let’s start with the first part of 10:31 - “if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day;”. Nehemiah is talking about being separate from the peoples of the land (the non-Israelites). The Sabbath was a day of rest and worship. No work (no buying or selling) was to be done on that day. (see Exodus 20:8 – the 4th commandment).

“Not buy stuff on Sunday? That’s not practical!” we may say. Today’s lifestyles are different than they were in Biblical times. But that doesn’t change God’s word. The Sabbath was on a Saturday back then. Today, Sunday is the Sabbath for many of us. The point is that we need a “Sabbath” – a day of rest and worship. Remember Genesis 2:1-3? God created for 6 days and rested on the 7th.

Now, let’s get back to our verse. The Israelites were not to buy on the Sabbath. Why? The Sabbath is a day to rest and worship God. If we are buying (shopping), then our focus is not on God. It is on self. God wants all of us on the Sabbath, not just a little piece. Going to church is just part of the day. What do we do with the rest of the day? Are we doing things that we didn’t have time to do the other 6 days because we were too busy working to pay for our lifestyle?

Somewhere along the line, Sunday became a “free” day. A day to do whatever we want. And worshipping God doesn’t fit in with our plans. But it could!

What does worship look like? Going to church is a good start. Dragging ourselves out of bed is putting God first and ourselves second. Once we get out of church do we stop thinking about God? Incorporate God into all aspects of your life. Maybe you have a pile of laundry to do – you just can’t rest – everyone needs clean clothes for Monday. Can you pray for each person in your family as you load their clothes into the washer? Can you have worship music playing in the background (maybe even singing along)? Can you thank God that you have a washer? Can you thank God that everyone has clothes to wear? If you have to clean the house, focus on God as you do it. Be thankful that you have a house (or apartment or room . . . ) to clean. The same thing goes for making dinner - being thankful for the food you have to eat.

Being thankful to God for all things is a form of worship. Worship takes many forms but we can start with being thankful. And when Monday morning comes and you are dragging yourself out of bed to go to work – be thankful that you have a job. Being thankful isn’t limited to Sundays.

Then there’s the “selling on the Sabbath” (working). Wait a minute! I have to work on Sundays – my job requires it. Can you pray for your co-workers, your boss, the company you work for, your customers?

What about the middle part of this verse - “and we would forego the seventh year’s produce”. (see Exodus 23:10-11) God’s original plan outlined how to have what was needed and still be able to rest. Farmers would work the land for 6 years and in the 7th year they would not farm it. They would store up the harvest to see them thru that 7th year. Whatever grew on its own would be available to the poor. The land would benefit as well as it would have time to get back the nutrients it used to grow the previous harvest.

But we are not farmers – at least most of us aren’t. Today it is not so much storing up the harvest for a year. It is more about wasting what we have. We work long hours and then are too tired to make dinner so we stop at a fast food place. We have food in the fridge that we aren’t using because we just bought a pizza. When we waste food, we are wasting money. Now we need more money so we work even harder and longer hours. It’s a vicious cycle.

God has given you the job that you have to provide for your needs. What? You say that you worked for that money – no one gave it to you? (see Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8). Who gave you that job? Who put you in the right place at the right time? Who gave you the skills and abilities that you have?

Okay, God gave me the job, but there isn’t enough money from that job to provide what I need. Why? Did you create a lifestyle that didn’t fit the paycheck? Envy & jealousy play a role here. (see Exodus 20:17 – 10th commandment). We see what someone else has and we want it. But we can’t afford it. So we buy it anyway. That creates debt. God fulfilled His promise in providing that job. We ruined it by wanting more . . . and wanting it now. When we look for fulfillment, happiness or contentment in things, it will never be enough. Take a look at your checkbook. How we spend our money shows where our heart is. God has trusted us with an abundance and He watches how we use it.

Now, the last part of 10:31 – “and the exacting of every debt.” (see Deuteronomy 15:1-6). Exacting of every debt. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t it be great if all our bills were erased after 7 years? No more mortgage! No more credit card debt! No more loans to pay! What would we do if that were to happen? Would we make a covenant with ourselves to never have debt again? Or would we go and make new debts since we don’t have the old ones to pay?

And now the flip side. It would be great to have our debts forgiven but are we able to forgive others that owe us? (see Matthew 6:12) At the end of 7 years all debts were canceled. What if someone owed us a lot of money? Could we cancel their debt? Reminds me of the parable of the unforgiving servant (see Matthew 18:21-35).

Who gives you breath and wakes you up in the morning? God. Only God. We all have a reason to be thankful and grateful to the one true God. And Sunday is a good day to start.

Feel like you are being taken on a guilt trip? Before you start collecting frequent flyer miles for that trip, remember this: We all make wrong choices. But we can also choose to start making the right choices.

"Okay! I admit that I am guilty of those things. But what do I do now?"  Good question! Even though we have created a lifestyle that doesn’t include rest & worship, all is not lost. We can make changes. God wants our heart and that is where we start. We put God first in our decisions. We carve out time for God. As we make small changes, it will eventually lead to bigger changes. Even though we may not be able to change our financial circumstances immediately, we can change how we handle it. Change must happen in the heart before it can happen anywhere else. God knows what we need (see Matthew 6:31-34). Do we trust Him to provide it?

Shift your focus to God and see what He can do in your life. Spending time with God is never wasted time.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.