Money Money Money Money

There are days that I feel like the American dream has emasculated the American church. The idea that we must have "more" to have done right, to have been successful, flies into direct conflict with the teachings of the Bible. "My kids deserve a better lifestyle than I was raised with", can take a man or woman and put them into direct conflict with God because they might pursue an end opposite of God's desire for them.   The Bible tells us,  

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things"  Col 3:1-2.

The end for one who makes their lives about the 'American dream" seems to be paralleled in John's writings to one of the seven churches of the Revelation.   John wrote, 

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  Rev 3:14 - 17

The tragedy of wealth is that often the selfish mindset of focusing on it it puts a man or woman into direct conflict with God.  In their pursuit of wealth they battle God for sovereignty.  You see it in their choices, even to the point of rejecting the positional authority God gives them.  Men often forsake their role as priests of the home to pursue wealth.  The neglect their charge to lead their family in faith. Women can forget that they have an incredible influence over their children and in the pursuit of things leave them to another, or to fend for themselves.  Christians overcommit themselves and forget that their role in the church is not to be exchanged for dollars.  The church is a community, and when each one uses their giftedness we become the face of Jesus.  When believers forsake their role within the church, it sadly can become the face of the most dominant personality and too miss the mark of its intention.  

Does the church look too much like a person and too little like Jesus?   That may be a ripple effect of men and women pursuing self over investing into God through ministry to others.

It's interesting what we are called to.   I found it this morning in my reading in 1 Timothy which gave me pause.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Tim 6:6

Let's be clear. Money is not sinful. Desiring to have a job that pays well is not sinful. Money is needed to further the work of the Kingdom. God created money. God knows we need it.  God knows exactly what you need to live.

The sin comes in when money and acquiring things becomes the center piece of your life. When the pursuit of the 'mighty dollar' takes precedence over your pursuit of Jesus Christ you are in serious danger. As my teens used to tell me, "You got check yourself before you wreck yourself."

"Rather than consider amassing wealth as great gain, Paul states that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Christ-followers should focus their effort on pursuing holiness in conduct, attitude, and thought. They should choose to be content in whatever circumstances God has given them, just as Paul himself had done while in prison (Philippians 4:11–12). We are told to “flee from all this [eagerness to get rich], and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Contrary to what many popular health-and-wealth proponents would have us believe, the Bible warns us against pursuing riches (Proverbs 23:4; Matthew 6:19). It is impossible to be content when our hearts are set on gaining more. 

We will not remain godly for long if we are not content with what God has given us. A desire for godliness is quickly eroded by a greedy, covetous spirit."  (Taken from https://www.gotquestions.org/godliness-with-contentment.html)

One of the great lessons I continue to learn is that God has a plan, and yet while He is for me, His plan often challenges my idealism.  I think that God should move in such a way, and He takes me a direction I never thought of and at times don't want to go.

Yet the end result - He has never disappointed.  He gives me exactly what I needed as I have rested in Him.  Because I have found peace with that - I am content.   

Because I have found peace with that - I will not battle God for sovereignty.

When He is given what is rightfully His, we find peace.

I offer you the rest of 1 Tim 6:7-10 for your consideration

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trapand into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.