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Saturday, September 24, 2011
One of the most common things I see people writing about today is how to manage one’s finances. From Dave Ramsey to Oprah Winfrey, it seems that anyone making more than the average fry cook has something to say on the subject. Of course this isn’t necessarily a bad thing since we obviously need financial advice as a nation, but whenever someone starts telling me how to retire as a multi-millionaire I can’t help but feel a little bit uneasy. Didn’t Solomon exhort us in Proverbs 23:4, “Labor not to be rich”?
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
-I Timothy 6:10
You may or may not agree with me on this one, but I truly believe America’s lust for money and desire to be rich is precisely why our economy has been a roller-coaster ride over the past several years and why so many families nationwide are losing their homes due to foreclosure and filing bankruptcy. Of course that’s not to say everyone who loses their home has been greedy or selfish with their money, but if our resolve to live a financially sound life stems from the very same desire to be rich that created our problems in the first place then how can we expect to be successful?
Of course none of us would say outright, “I want to be filthy rich.” Most of us even humor ourselves with the thought that we’re actually a content person. Really, we don’t want to be wealthy at all; we just want to drive what wealthy people drive and wear what wealthy people they wear. “If we had more resources,” we tell ourselves, “just think of how effective our ministry would be.” Apparently we’ve misread I Corinthians 1:26-29 and somehow think that, in order to be used by God, we have to have something to offer Him first.
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
-I Timothy 6:8
Many times throughout my life I’ve asked the Lord never to make me rich; instead, my prayer has been like that of Agur’s in Proverbs 30:8-9 when he said, “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” It’s not that I think it’s wrong to have a big bank account. But I’ve seen a camel before and am pretty sure it wouldn’t through the eye of a needle (Mark 10:25). In fact, I doubt a $1 bill would either.
*Photo by Rein Nomm on Photo.net.
7 comments:
Awww Dakota this is a breath of fresh air. It's how I try and live too. I try and ask myself, "do I need this? Or is it just something I want?" Very well written and true. I'll be writing something similar from Proverbs. The funny thing is what we all sincerely desire is contentment. And that only comes from Jesus. Love the photo too. What a perfect illustration. Nice work!
Amen, Dakota! Last year we spent a few months in NY in a rented a modestly furnished townhouse. I brought no electric appliances, etc...just one sharp knife, a hand turned can opener, one fry pan and pot...actually that was all we needed. Isn't it amazing what we can live without? I like Karen's idea of asking, "Do I need it?" Great post!
Dakota, Great post and a topic that is on everyone's mind now-a-days. I just finished posting a 4 part series on finances over at my blog. My topics were 1)A Material Girl (materialism), 2) A Closer Look at Shopping Malls (consumer behavior and mall theology), 3) The Reality of Poverty (finding peace, joy and hope in poverty), 4) Financial Peace (seeking peace in financial difficulties and Dave Ramsey’s FPU).
It's exciting to read everyone's posts on the subject, as we all seem to approach it from a different perspective. Looking forward to reading your next post on the topic.
Great post and food for thought.
So many of us long for the simplicity of life and tend to look to our Heavenly Father who will supply us with what we need, NOT want we WANT.
Looking foward to see your approach on the topic of Christians and Money.
Blessings from the UK
Some of the current economic problems are bringing families closer together as they help one another. Defining 'need' rather than 'desire' should go without saying, since we serve a Lord who said: And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20 KJV) We need to give thanks for what He provides for us.
Hi, Dakota,
Thank you so much for this post. It hit the nail on the head, I think. It is sad to see those who ARE rich, use the money God has given them (even if they don't think God gave it to them) on themselves, instead of using it to help those in need and whatnot. I don't want to be rich either, but I do ask God that if He should give me riches, that I will use it for His glory only. There is a lot that can be done with money, if you use it in the right way.
Thanks for this!
In Christ's Service,
Sarah
Hey Dakota! What an excellent post! I have blogged about God's finances as well, but your post definitely puts things in a wonderful perspective. For a long time, I said "God wants us to prosper", but when we prosper we should honor God by acknowledging where Him because He is the one who gave it to us, and use the money for His works. Then, as I grew, I realized that prospering didn't necessarily mean money. As we grow closer to God, His will and desires should become our will and desires, therefore the things of the Spirit should be what we prosper in rather than the dollar sign. Being rich is fine as long as the person understands that the money God has given you is provided for a specific purpose. Pray and seek out from God what He wants done with His provision. He says He requires a tenth of it and leaves us ninety percent. He wants us to use good judgement on the stewardship of the rest of what He provides us with.
Thank you and God bless~
PJ
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