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Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Money often costs too much.” What has the pursuit of money cost you lately? Your child’s birthday party? Your relationships? Singing recital? Wedding anniversary?
Are you seeking money and things or are you seeking your God and the gifts and talents He has given you in this life to better yourself and make a living in the world you live in?
The desire to ”keep up with the Joneses” has been a driving force for many people who are bent on trying to keep the pace of the seemingly “higher class.” you have heard the theory that the grass is always greener in someone else’s yard. These feelings of dissatisfaction run rampant in our society and generate a desire to constantly outdo, out buy, and outsmart our neighbors and friends. We want to have the latest and greatest, the biggest and fastest, and the most superior possessions available to us so we can somehow feel like we have arrived or that we can show a false sense of “how blessed we are” to those around us.
Although this trend may seem harmless and perfectly natural, we must recognize that Scripture clearly condemns envy, discontentment, and covetousness because they can lead us down a destructive Narcissistic path of self-centered, self-absorbing, and self-gratifying pursuits.
Discontentment undermines God’s promise to “provide all that we need” (Phil. 4:19) and to “satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Ps. 145:16). Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God said, ‘ Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” The Lord gives us this command so that we will devote our time and energy to a life of service with eternal rewards rather than a life of temporary pleasure with fleeting satisfaction. God does not want us to be so consumed with working to earn money, that we are reduced to just “making a living” instead of “living a life.”
Paul wisely instructs Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, . . . and love . . . ” instead of money, for he states that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7) Wealth and hoarded possessions only have value in this LIFE; a point made clear by the fact that hursts never pull U-Hauls.
King Solomon, once the wealthiest man in the world, wrote, “I amassed silver and gold for myself..., I denied nothing my eyes desired..., Yet when I surveyed..., what I had toiled to achieve..., everything was meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2: 8-11). In the end, he concluded that the only worthwhile purpose under heaven was to “Love God and keep His word” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Jesus promises that if you “seek His kingdom and His righteousness, all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Immeasurable blessings await those who pursue the higher calling of Christ Jesus rather than enslaving themselves to the unending pursuit of prestige and possessions. When all is said and done, what will be your legacy? Will it be said that you pursued the Kings of Kings or merely the riches of His kingdom?
Some use the Name of God in pursuit of money to further the gospel when in fact they are NOT doing anything for God with that money but hoarding it up for their own lusts. Be careful where you give your money, make sure you know it is good ground by knowing what is done with that money, is that organization/church, feeding the hungry, have an outreach for widows or battered women, a rehabilitation center for men ..etc. if you don’t see any fruit other than the directors having fancy clothes, shoes, houses, and cars, then walk away.
Remember money can’t buy you love - yes, it can buy you many things but it can’t satisfy the longing for unconditional love from God and other people.
I am not against money I think it is a great tool in this life for many things and it is required for us to have it for everyday life, but remember don’t LET IT HAVE YOU! By having YOU I mean that you forsake the good things you have like the people in your life or where you live for the next bigger or better thing you think will make you happier.
God wants His kids blessed but blessings are not always THINGS. I have talked to rich people that would give away all their money for peace, honesty, love, reconciliation, and health.
In conclusion, it is not money that is evil it is the constant pursuit of it above all else where sorrow is found. Do NOT believe the lie that if you make more money your life will be bigger and better and that's what will show my spouse and kids how much I love them. Did you ever see a person on their death bed say I wish I made more money? No, but they do say - I wish I spent more time with my family and poured my life into those special relationships. Money cannot get you back time.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim 6:10
So in this New Year 2015 pursue your dreams and goals and as your heart is right God will bless you more than you can imagine while you first seek His kingdom and love and respect others.
Have a wonderful New year following your dreams and Loving the gift giver Himself.
God will supply all your needs, let's keep our priorities in order in this new year and watch how God blesses us as we allow Him to do the blessing and not run after the blessings, He says blessings will overtake us!