Don't Get Addicted to Money


Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you."
(Hebrews 13:5)

If I were a drug addict or alcoholic and wanted to get off them, I would have to completely stop taking them ever again. An addict or alcoholic cannot say, “I’ll just have a little bit,” because a little bit leads to a lot.  Money is a much more dangerous addiction for me because I need it just to survive. I have to have money to buy food, shelter and clothing. The only treatment for me as an alcoholic or drug addict would be to totally deprive me of the thing I want the most. You can’t do that with money unless you want me to move in with you. Trust me, it wouldn’t be good.
I can still love and desire wealth and not have a penny to my name. It matters little what’s in my wallet or bank account, but it matters a great deal what’s in my heart. I could be as poor as a church mouse and still worship money as my god. For most people, including me, it’s like walking a tightrope with needs on one side and wants on the other. On the need side, I have contentment with everything God has provided. On the want side, I am constantly bombarded with advertisements for a bunch of things I want but don’t really need.
I’m still walking that tightrope, so I need to pay attention to Jesus and be satisfied with walking straight ahead. He’ll always take care of my needs. If I lose my focus and reach for something on the want side, I could fall. If I keep all my hopes on Jesus, he will always be there for me and to provide for what I need. It’s up to me; do I want to be a slave of money or of Jesus Christ? I choose Christ. I try to rely on him every day, and when I do, he is always faithful.






Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
(Colossians 4:5-6)

Heavenly Father, we want to always be a pleasing fragrance to you. Let our offering to you be the fruit of those who’ve responded to being told about Jesus. We want to be your light in the dark world. We never want to be mistaken for indistinguishable from an unbeliever. We want to always be able to be identified as your child. Give us a spirit of love and grace when we are talking to unbelievers about you. We don’t want to be the reason someone rejects the good news because of a harsh comment from us. It will be more harm than good to simply walk up to someone and call them a sinner. At the same time, help us to show them we love them before we launch deep into the scriptures. Temper us with the poise of Jesus to share the good news with authority. Help us to make our Bible study time a priority, so we’ll be ready with an answer for why we believe in Jesus. It’s in his name, we pray. Amen!
Location: Kendall, NY 14476, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devotional for May 12 - May 18

Image
To all my readers: I am changing this blog to a weekly format. I am being forced to do it this way because this blog site is saying my blog is too short to continue publishing. I purposely try to keep it short so you will have time to read it every day. I hope you will understand and keep reading. Thank you, Brad Hopkins May 12 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) Meditation Before I was saved, I worked in a very competitive environment. Many of my co-workers were very jealous of the accomplishments of others. I have to confess; I too would get that green-eyed feeling if I didn’t get promoted when I thought I deserved it. Outwardly, I showed a happy face. I would congratulate the person who was recognized or promoted, but inwardly I was terribly envious. I received as many promotions as most in my career field, but I couldn’t rejoice for others because of jealousy and covetousness. I didn’t know how to deal with grief s...
Read more

Preach the Word

Image
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2) Meditation I used to think it was only the pastors job to preach the Word of God. I’m not a preacher, so it didn’t occur to me to share the gospel. However, this verse does not say, “Preachers, preach the word.” Whether you realize it or not, we are all ministers of the gospel. We have been charged with the awesome task of telling everyone about Jesus and why he went to the cross. When Jesus gave the “Great Commission,” to make disciples of all nations; he wasn’t just talking to his own disciples. He was speaking to every one of us. There is no other mission or calling more important than that for us. Even if we go to church every Sunday, but do nothing else, we’re not in the game; we’re just spectators. Jesus doesn’t want fans, he wants followers. Whether we’re in church or somewhere else, we’re responsible t...
Read more

Think About Heavenly Things

Image
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) Why have I spent so much time filling my mind with garbage? I’ve read unclean jokes or off-color cartoons and shared them on social media. I used to go to movies or watch things on television that are detestable to the Lord and thought nothing of it. My baser instincts are to gravitate toward the impure offerings of our entertainment industry. How can I, as a Christian, live a righteous life if I’m continuously feeding on the poisonous filth of this world? Instead, I should look for and promote the things that are wholesome and good. My money and time have power if I, as Christians, refuse to support the immorality that Hollywood puts out. If my ticket money, along with other Christians, is used to support good family entertainment, the fat cats in ...
Read more