I don’t know about you but I’ve spent a lot and I mean a lot of time in my life thinking and trying to figure out ways to make money. While I’ve never bought a lottery ticket (true story), I have gambled on other ideas that I thought might win a million. For example, I’ve bought stock thinking it might do well and ended up eating my shirt (Groupon, for example) and I’ve invested my time in various things that I thought might bring about wealth (buying domain names) but they did not and there are other things as well but too many to mention!
In reading the scripture, I see there are definite things that God helps us see about money and here are a list of them that I thought might be helpful to review:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (NLT, Luke 16:13)
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (NIV, 1 John 3:17)
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (NIV, Proverbs 23:4-5)
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (NIV, Matthew 16:26)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV, Matthew 6:19-21)
He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil– this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (NIV, Isaiah 33:15-16)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (NIV, 1 Timothy 6:17-19)
All of these scriptures make me want to server the Lord and not gimmicks! How about you?
Josie
