"Honesty is the best policy—when there's money in it." —Mark Twain
"Money can rob you." I know that sounds counterintuitive, but money can steal something very precious from you. If you find yourself lulled to sleep in a materialistic environment, you will miss untold opportunities to express and experience the love and life of Christ. The biggest mistake that we make with our money is this: We trust our money rather than God, and that steals from us the words of life:
"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful."— Matthew 13:22
In Jesus' parable of the seeds, the Word of God is spread over four different kinds of "soils" representing four different types of responses to the Gospel. The thorny soil represents someone who accepts the Gospel and is initially excited and sacrificial... but then "the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word," robbing the person of the security, joy, and freedom that can only be found in Jesus.
Can money buy these things?
Security? No. The next dip in the market, the next crooked investment advisor, the next greedy bank can take it all in an instant. Beyond that, even when you do have it, there's the continual insecurity that comes from the fear that it could all evaporate tomorrow.
Happiness? Oh sure, little happy moments, but excessive wealth is followed by an underlying emptiness because money didn't follow through on the promise it made me.
Freedom? No, again. Actually, quite a bit of bondage. How many of our worries in life are centered around money and things? Honestly, haven't we become slaves to all this stuff?
Yeah, someone can steal your money, but the odds are far, far greater that money will rob you instead.
Jesus, gently, but firmly, show me where I have allowed money and materialism to rob me of the richest of blessings that are found only in You. By faith, for my own good, I ask that You would do whatever it takes to refocus my trust on You, to place my hope in You, to serve only You. Amen.
Listen to Pete, Jill & Stuart Briscoe on the Telling the Truth broadcast at OnePlace.com
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