Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9
We all know what it is to have plenty and to have want. There have been times in our lives, maybe many times that we were lacking.
In the Bible, Agur, the son of Jakeh, wrote a prayer. He wanted to be neither rich or poor. He basically was crying out for a sufficient lifestyle, his daily bread.
He wanted God to be his portion.
He knew if he had too much (was rich), he may disown the Lord, and forget about him, and if he had too little (too poor), he might steal, therefore dishonoring the name of God.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Unfortunately, some have used this passage to suggest that God wants us to be wealthy, or even make us healthy and wealthy if we give our money to them. This is what some call the “Prosperity Gospel,” and it’s one of the most dangerous teachings around. I won’t get into this teaching at this time.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having money, of course. But scripture says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Not money itself, but the love of it. Putting it above God, above people, above your family and above your integrity.
Those who want to get rich, who put that desire before God, will eventually fall into temptation. Their desire for money (greed) will eventually lead to ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
The apostle Paul was not talking about money itself being the issue, it was more of an unhealthy desire for it that was a problem.
That desire can cause you to get your mind off of eternal things, and onto worldly things. And we all know that worldly things will eventually go away.
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.
Matthew 6:24
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
I believe God can and will bring your desires in line with his will, his perfect and pleasing will. He blesses you not only in a monetary way, but he also gives the gifts of the spirit as blessings.
I believe we also reap what we sew. When we are generous in our giving, whether it’s money, time or talents, God will bless us.
Remember, we cannot out-give God.
Don’t put too much stock in your money, you can’t take it with you when you go….
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart, They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
Ecclesiastes 5: 10,15
Many Blessings,
Connie
