Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 20, 2014
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21
It is easy for money to become a distraction. Just the making and management of money takes effort and focus. Indeed, money becomes a subtle master if it is not held in check. Our affections gravitate toward what we think about. If the majority of our waking moments are consumed by the thought of making more money, then we are distracted.
Yes, we need to do our work with excellence as unto the Lord. However, if making money becomes our consuming focus, then its devotion competes with God. Billions of people wake up every day to make money, but are they making money or is money making them? If my life is consumed by money, very little is left for a life well spent.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13).
Time and energy for others become scarce in the wake of compulsive money making. You may think that your current obsession with making money is for the long-term purpose of autonomy. This is flawed thinking, because a follower of Jesus Christ is never totally autonomous—they are tethered by trust to the will of God. We have a built in eternal expectation in our community and to Christ that results in accountability and service.
Yes, finances afford you options, but only options that are under the purview of God’s will. A life of unshackled leisure and self-indulgence is not a life well spent for the Lord. He may free you up to serve Him and others, but not to sit and soak. Too many options can be a distraction. So, where is the balance? How can you avoid money’s distraction?
Stay close to Christ and let Him love you. He will love you away from money’s allurement and into heavenly investments. Let Him love you away from the seduction of possessions. Then you will want to reciprocate love to your lover. If your love quotients are met by stuff, then your affections will gravitate to the moneymaking mistress.
When you allow money to love you, you feel a debt to materialism. Your emotions and energies feel obligated to love back. An affair with money and possessions leaves nothing for the lover of your soul. And, without an intense love relationship with your Creator, you will become sad and dissatisfied. Loving God satisfies the soul.
Fortunately, there is a solution to money’s distraction. Let God love you—then you are compelled to love Him. Money’s distraction is derailed by a love relationship with Jesus. When you love Him wholeheartedly, there is no room for money to distract. Then give generously to whom He loves, especially the poor. Generous givers love God, not money. Eternal rewards await those who send ahead what they cannot keep.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
Prayer: How can I use money as an expression of my love for the Lord and people?
Related Readings: Deuteronomy 15:10; Job 22:23-25; Luke 11:41; 1 Timothy 3:3
Post/Tweet today: Finances afford us options, but only options that are under the purview of God’s will. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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Truly wise guidance!
The amount of time I spent on making money in my life has always been a source of weariness on my soul. I needed to provide for my wife and children, yet the time demands were at times excessive. I can really see where Paul said we would be more free if we remained single, as he was.
Looking back, I still don’t know if I did well or not. Going forward, I would just as soon give my money away and be free of the burden, but who would give to my wife and kids when they need some?
Someone once said, well you just need to trust God. I think that would be more like tempting God, as He is the One who gave me the ability to earn it in the first place. I trust God to take care of the things that He has not equipped me to do myself, and to help equip me on the things that I need to do with Him until I can do them by myself.
Dear Donna~
Thank you for your encouraging words regarding “Money’s Distraction”. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know you enjoyed this devotional.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Dear “A”~
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us regarding the devotional, “Money’s Distractions”. I must say I read your post several times and I appreciated your honesty and sincerity. I believe that you are not alone in these feelings and your words spoke for many fellow wisdom hunters. Again, I thank you for your humble and thought-provoking statements.
Please know that our Heavenly Father knows your thoughts and loves it when you reach out to HIM for wisdom and discernment. Reach out to Our Redeemer and He will guide you.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all of your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will set your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
And what is so amazing is that HE can use all of your experiences or circumstances for His Good and yours. HE doesn’t waste any of our past experiences and can turn them around for your good and for the Good of His Kingdom! Amazing.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
And, friend, it sounds like you were a good provider for your family. Recognize that the self-doubts, confusion and anxiety about this could be orchestrated from the evil one, robbing you of the joy God has for you and your family. Be careful.
“In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
Ephesians 6:16
I would love to send you a Widom Hunters book that really touches on the subject of money. If you could email me your address, I will put it in the mail for you (free of charge).
In the meantime, we are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and we look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com