Money matters … doesn’t it? At least it matters to most of us.
If we are walking down the street and saw a $50 bill laying on the sidewalk, it would probably catch our eye … we might even stop to pick it up! We might ignore a gum wrapper on the same sidewalk … but legal tender catches our eye and motivates a response. Money matters.
If we have more expenses in bills than we have dollars in our checking account it causes stress. Money matters.
Our access to money often influences what car we drive or where we live or what we are able to do for fun. Money matters.
We might take a certain job because it pays more. Money matters.
We can use money to honor God, bless others, pay for our necessities, or save for the future. Money matters.
Even as it relates to the upcoming election, the economy is at or near the top of the list of issues debated by the candidates. Money matters.
Money matters to us.
But does money matter to God?
Well (in a word), YES. Not because God needs money (He has access to all things) and not because God needs our money (again, He has the cattle on a thousand hills). Money matters to God because how WE handle it reflects our hearts … and God cares deeply about our hearts.
In the middle of our Bibles, the book of Proverbs provides a wealth of wisdom on many relevant and practical issues: avoiding adultery, relating to family, how we communicate, and more. One of the categories of human behavior MOST addressed in this book of wisdom is (you guessed it) M-O-N-E-Y. I sat down recently and read through the entire book, and jotted down 4 single-spaced pages of notes of what JUST THE BOOK OF PROVERBS had to say about money. Over the next three Sundays at Wildwood Community Church (beginning this week, September 22), I will help us explore this wisdom.
This week (September 22), we will look at some general principles on finances from the Proverbs. Next week (September 29), we will explore the connection between WORK and WAGES. Then on the last week of the series (October 6), we will see what the Proverbs say about generosity and the poor.
Hope to have you join us over the next 3 Sundays in our new series “Money Matters: Wisdom from the Proverbs.” See you Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 AM … and bring friends!
Hi Mark, this is one principle I learned about money. The below is a true story in my life.
I man held a $100 in his hand. He asked me if I wanted the $100 bill and I said yes he gave it to me. He replied and said you don’t want the $100 bill (paper money) , or do you want it can do for you, rather an item or service.
This lesson has impacted me in a big way. I no longer worship money, but realize it’s just an earthly storehouse of value that I can use to bless and take care of my needs.