Matthew 6:24 (ESV), Luke 22:35-36, Revelation 18:1-24, Philippians 4:19 (ESV), Money-Faith and Trust

Topic: Faith/Trust

Two Masters: It's Your Choice!

It's not uncommon to see leaders of the world's nations scurrying about, desperately trying to find answers to their countries' financial problems. Newspaper articles, radio and TV shows and Internet bloggers consume huge blocks of time speculating and advising us about money--how to keep it, why we're losing it, where to find it and whom to bail out. Fear often grips governments, industry and individuals.

As a Christian, you must be careful not to get caught up in the world's worries about money. Oh, of course, you are to be a good steward of all that God provides; and you are responsible to care for your family's needs. But you also need to avoid any attitude toward money that would cause you to spiral down into the world's way of thinking. God is still on the throne. He knows your needs and has much to say about trust and money.

Receive

Have you thought seriously about Jesus' warning in Matthew 6:24 (ESV)? "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Why did He say that? Is it a sin to earn an honest living? Didn't Jesus Himself use money to pay taxes and buy groceries? Didn't the disciples have a money bag and a treasurer? When Jesus sent the disciples forth a second time, didn't He tell them they would need money (Luke 22:35-36)?

Now, read a few verses and jot down your answers to the questions:

• 1 Timothy 6:10. What two results of loving money does the apostle Paul mention in this verse?
• Hebrews 13:5. What does God want to see in your life instead of the love of money?
• Matthew 13:22. In the parable of the sower, what does Jesus say about how an obsession with wealth can affect your relation to God's Word?
• Deuteronomy 8:17-18. If God does bless you with wealth in this life, what should be your proper attitude toward it?

Reflect

Jesus never claimed that money is evil. But He did teach that the love of money will get you into deep trouble and draw you away from God (1 Timothy 6:10).

Satan, the Prince of this world, runs his domain on money. It will all come to sudden ruin one day. God, on the other hand, operates His kingdom in the power and provision of the Spirit of God. His Kingdom is eternal and will never fade away. While you are in this life, you are, in a sense, caught between the two worlds of God's everlasting kingdom and Satan's doomed realm. You need some money and material things to live and to support God's work on this earth, but you must constantly be on guard against trusting in the things that will ultimately rot and rust.

Today, read Revelation 18:1-24. It describes the sudden destruction of Satan's economic and financial system in the final hours of this old earth. As you read, compare today's godless worldview and ask yourself, Is this something I want to be part of? Am I getting entangled with the love of money?

Respond

Take time to review your own attitudes toward money. Is money at the center of your purpose in life and your career? Are there changes you need to make that will bring you more into line with God's teaching about wealth?

Reflect on Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Then memorize it!

My Comments: Life, jobs, financial abilities are all unstable in our times more so than at most other times of history world wide. There were places and will always be places with even worse happening. Place like Haiti and even New Orleans after their destructions yet I am referring to the everyday persons in the world at large.
He will supply all our needs and He will use everything in our lives to teach us to rely on Him more and more.
I used to be so concerned about how to pay the bills in our huge family (11 children). Then my husband lost his job close to retirement (the businesses way of not having to pay out retirement was to close positions, other places use the same ploy) and after two years of struggling we ended up in Bankruptcy. We were to blame for much of our problem. We lived to the end of our paycheck and never saved anything so there was not a rainy day fund. We lost our home, new van and had to move to a shack with black mold in the walls which we had to tear down and build around ourselves. We learned to trust the Lord and He sent us to college which gave my husband a new career and better insurance (he is very ill and we do not know how much longer he will be able to work) yet I do not have a job (a few part time jobs have been had for short periods of time) and so money is tight. Which means saving is very hard.
We do not feel the same way about money as we used to. If we lose everything and live in our cars or on the street or with others we know the Lord will carry us through and we will learn invaluable lessons and gain greater strength through the learning.

Lord grant that we will be filled with trust and faith in Your ability to take care of our needs. In Jesus Christ, Amen