October 1
We're going to spend the next few weeks looking at the topic of money because Jesus talks about it more than we may realize.
Three Thoughts
Jesus makes it very clear that you can't serve both God and money at the same time. Having two different masters will eventually give you two different orders, and when they do, you'll find out which one you've been obeying. So the real question is whether money or Jesus are directing your decisions.
MATTHEW 6:24
Money is not the root of all evil. It's the love of money that is. Money itself is just paper with numbers that is necessary for survival in most places. The danger starts when it stops being a tool and becomes all you can think about.
1 TIMOTHY 6:10
You can hold what you have loosely because you are held tightly by God. When you're going through a hard time financially, "I will never leave you" is the promise that makes enough feel like enough. More money will never be the security you're looking for, but Jesus is.
HEBREWS 13:5
Two Quotes
Author Richard J Foster on simplicity:
"Simplicity is freedom. Duplicity is bondage."
Pastor and author Timothy Keller on idolatry:
"To practice idolatry is to be a slave."
Prayer
Dear God, I often say that I put you first, but I still worry about money more than most things in life. Show me where I've let it become my master instead of you. Teach me to be content no matter what my bank balance looks like this week. In Jesus' name, amen.
Question
What's one money decision you made this month out of fear instead of trust?
P.S. Praying that all of you stay healthy this week! My whole family was sick this past week and it wasn't fun at all. I guess that's the way it goes this time of year!