Money can be so\u2026filthy.<\/p>\n
How could a God that is so involved in the immaterial <\/em>have any concern with the filthy material<\/em>? Because money says a lot about the condition of our hearts, and the way we deal with it shows how much we have given over to our Lord, and how much we might be holding back.<\/p>\n Consider for a moment that there are over two thousand<\/em> references to this topic in the Bible, compared to a mere five hundred references on the topic of Faith. How about the fact that sixteen of Christ\u2019s thirty-eight parables speak about how people should handle their earthly treasures? One out of every ten verses in the Gospels deal with this area of Money and Stewardship\u2026are you convinced yet? In fact, our Lord taught more about such stewardship than about heaven and hell combined! \u00a0Why in the world would God spend so much time on this topic when\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0Isn\u2019t money<\/em> the root of all evil?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Isn\u2019t money<\/em> one of the leading causes of divorce and family strife?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Isn\u2019t money<\/em> the thing that distracts us from pursuing God?<\/strong><\/p>\n It isn\u2019t money itself<\/em> that causes all of these problems, but rather the love<\/em> of money. Something that starts within our own hearts. 1 Timothy 6:10 states \u201cFor 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.\u201d <\/strong>Because the Bible is filled with so much instruction on this topic we can assume that:<\/p>\n Our creator KNEW that we would need a TON of guidance in this area. <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0He no doubt KNEW that this would be an area filled with great temptation. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n He also KNEW that it would be an area that could be used to bring Him MUCH glory!!<\/strong><\/p>\n So now it\u2019s time for us to consider\u2026Who\u2019s money is it anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n So often we get caught up with that over-possessive attitude as we consider spending and saving. We don\u2019t even stop for a second to think about who gave these things to us, or what He has to say about them\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s MY house, It\u2019s MY savings account, it\u2019s MY 401-K, it\u2019s MY mutual fund, its MY income\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n And then when things take a negative turn, we start to question God\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did God take MY job?\u201d; \u201cWhy did God take MY home?\u201d; \u201cWhy did God take away MY financial security?\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, these are the wrong questions to be asking. When we start to look at our finances, we need to change our heart-perspective, our view of who even owns it. Take time to reflect on the verses below:<\/p>\n Haggai 2:8 \u2013 \u201cThe silver is Mine, and the gold in Mine\u2019, says the Lord of hosts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Psalm 24:1 — \u201cThe earth is the Lord\u2019s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n I Chronicles 29:11-12 — \u201cFor all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours\u2026.both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Deuteronomy 8:18(a) \u201cAnd you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n So the proper perspective is that GOD OWNS IT ALL. <\/strong><\/p>\n As you go about your day today, think about what you<\/em> might be holding on to. Lay out all of your possessions at the throne of God, and DON\u2019T hold anything back.<\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>