Changing Our Attitudes Toward Money
As Christians, we know that everything we own really belongs to God
. This is mentioned several times in the Bible. For example, Deuteronomy 10:14 reads, "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it." (NIV)
While we may have lots of material possessions right now, they are only temporary. We definitely can't take them with us when we leave this world.
We should avoid getting attached to the things of this world because we are only borrowing them. This concept actually didn't hit home for me until my car was stolen several years ago. I had a lot of personal belongings in it that night, and I was devastated when I found them all gone.
But I honestly could not tell you half of the things that were in the car. My life has not been significantly changed by not having most of the things that are now gone. Once I understood that these things are only temporary, my mind was at ease.
The Lord will take care of you
In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Lord reminds us that His plans are bigger than ours. His plans for us are beyond our comprehension.
We should focus on allowing God to be in control of everything, including our money, so that He can work through us to improve not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us.
If we seek God's Kingdom first, He will provide for all of our needs. Psalms 34:10 reads, "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." (NIV)
The Lord will make sure that we have what we need. After seeing and understanding the true cost of debt, we need to make sure that all of our spending decisions are prayerfully thought out.
Problems are normal
The fact that God is taking care of us does not prevent us from running into problems along the way. Although we may experience hardships, don't feel that efforts to follow the Lord are in vain.
Remember what happened to Joseph at the end of the book of Genesis. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. His father thought that Joseph was dead. Joseph did not have the opportunity to grow up around his family.
However, Joseph worked hard in Egypt and became a powerful ruler in Pharaoh's household. God put Joseph through some tough circumstances in order to save His people.
We were never promised that life would be easy. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we would have trouble. Although many of our financial mistakes are the result of our own carelessness, we don't always have problems because of our own wrongdoings. Just like the man in John 9:1-12 who was born blind, there are times when things may happen so that God can displayed His work in our lives.
We may face difficult financial situations every now and then, but understand that these trials are designed to make us stronger. James told us in James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (NIV) Those who persevere receive the crown of life.
There is also a greater good to look forward to later. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul wrote, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (NIV)
Sometimes, God allows these trials just to allow us to prove our faith. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter told us that our faith is worth more than gold. Suffering through these trials proves that our faith is genuine and results in praise, glory, and honor.
Although my car was stolen and I lost a lot of personal things, God blessed me to replace the items that were most important to my life, and I got a cleaner, more reliable vehicle. I don't even miss the rest of that "stuff."
by: Ozeme J Bonnette
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