It’s all about me…Right?
“Yes, I can work that schedule!”
“Yes, I am available to work whenever you need me to.”
Yes, you work hard for the money. How else will you get that new outfit with Jimmy Choo shoes and a Coach purse? Money buys designer clothes and shoes. It puts that name brand purse on your shoulder and pays the rent for apartments on prestigious streets. And what’s your favorite luxury car again? Oh, and let’s not forget. You need money to spend when you go out on the weekends with friends.
No worries, or should you? Really, none of this is a problem until those things become your primary focus. Don’t misunderstand, we need money, but it needs to have the right place in our lives. How do we put money in its place?
A rich young man asked Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to the young man that he already knew what he was supposed to do, but he lacked one thing. He needed to sell his many possessions and follow Jesus. The rich young man walked away grieving. Why? Because he had many possessions. Jesus instructed him to get rid of the treasures of his heart — his possessions (see Mark 10:17-21). His possessions prevented him from having a relationship with Jesus and stopped him from living forever with Jesus.
What’s so countercultural about the way God wants us to view money?
We don’t have to be poor to please God. Using our treasures in a way that pleases God is countercultural to greed though. What does that mean? Give to someone who is in need, drive someone to the grocery store who has no other transportation, help someone who is technically challenged, and many other examples of helping others. Sometimes you may have to use the money you would have spent on those Jimmy Choo shoes, that Coach purse, or … what is it that you treasure? Is it worth eternity? Don’t allow things to get in the way of you experiencing a true relationship with Jesus.
If you don’t know Jesus, let us introduce you to Him.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
