Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 30, 2013
Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. Mark 11:15-16
Money motivation is not the best motivation; in fact it can make you down right miserable. It frustrates you and those around you because money-motivated people are never content. They have an insatiable desire for the next deal or the next opportunity to make more. An all-consuming desire for money leads you to compromise common sense and character. Ironically, your family suffers the most even when your desire is for them to enjoy the benefits money may produce. Moreover, money-motivated individuals stoop as low as using the Lord to line their pockets. Religion and church become means for cash creation. This angers God, for He is moved by righteous indignation when His bride is prostituted for worldly purposes. The church is a conduit for Christ, not a clearinghouse for economic gain. It is a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7).
He is greatly grieved when money becomes the driving force of any institution or individual. A church bound up in debt is destined for ineffectiveness. If the Bride of Christ is preoccupied with paying the bills, then the mission will be watered down and even ignored. Money-driven ministries miss the opportunity to trust God and wait on Him to provide in ways that exceed human capability. Businesses that are driven by bottom line performance alone contribute to an unhealthy company culture. People are willing to work somewhere for less if they know the culture has a much bigger vision than just making money. There is so much more to life and work than money (Matthew 6:25).
Money motivation is the antithesis of mission motivation. The latter has a greater purpose in mind. The focus is on excellent work accompanied by eternal expectations. The mission is what drives you to do more, because a transcendent spark ignites within your soul. Money becomes a result, not a reason, when the mission creates a culture of care and collaboration. The mission gives you permission to say no. Enterprises and individuals are defined more by what they say no to than by what they say yes to. A well-focused team makes it a habit to defend the mission. There is a discipline in decision-making that characterizes mission-driven people and organizations. Paul said, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13-14a).
Mission is the master of money, so focus on the mission of your Master, Jesus, and you will be much more productive in the long run. Mission motivation keeps you trustworthy, effective, and blessed by God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep my heart purely motivated by Your mission and not by money.
Related Readings: Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 6:25; Philippians 3:13
Taken from reading #1 in Boyd’s new 30-day devotional book, “Wisdom for Money” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Post/Tweet today: People are willing to work somewhere for less, if they know the culture has a much bigger vision than just making money. #moneymotivated
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© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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Thank you so much, Boyd. I hear you.