Memorable Moments Hebrews
Hebrews 13:5–6 ESV
Matthew 6:33 ESV
This is a hard lesson for some people.
It’s difficult because when it comes to money some people lose their head.
The author of Hebrews tells us it isn’t always actually money that is at the root of the problem.
Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us, “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.” So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear;what can man do to me?”
There are many times in life when we NEED money.
For example, say you have a child that is gravely ill. There is a possible treatment but insurance only covers a portion of the cost.
As a parent you need money so your child can receive treatment.
You don’t love money…you need money. It’s a means to an end.
A student might have an opportunity to study abroad. You’ve been accepted into a great program, but you have to pay a portion of the tuition up front.
In order to go you need money.
You don’t love money…you need money so you can accept this great opportunity.
A young Pastor could have a desire to start a ministry.
The Pastor knows what to do to get started.
He/She has done a lot of research and found if you have a little seed money you can accept the opportunity.
The Pastor does not love money. He/She needs money to get the ministry off the ground.
In each case mentioned the love of money is not the issue.
Most of the people I’ve known who love money don’t necessarily have a plan for the money. They want to get money so they can have money, They do not intend to do anything specific with the money.
The example in Hebrews13:3 isn’t even talking about saving money so you will have it if you get sick.
It also does not refer to people who are saving up to by a home, or to go on a trip.
The author of Hebrews is simply talking about wanting money just because you love money. I’ve known people who want money because they love having money.
I’ve known people who want money because they can control other people with their money.
I’ve also known people who have a lot of money and they won’t spend a dime (even on a good cause) because they love money. They act like they are destitute. They are not generous. They are so stingy that they will let someone else who really doesn’t have money pay for them.
They want money because they love having money.
They absolutely are not content with what they have. No amount of money is enough. They always want more money. There can never be enough money.
You might be wondering why that’s a problem…simple put, It’s because money has become their god. Having money is more important to them than anything else.
They want money because they want money,
When I was a young teenager one day my dada and I were talking about money and he wanted me to see why wanting more and more and more money was not a good goal.
He asked me to sit down and close my eyes. He shuffled around a bit then he put something over my eyes and he told me I could open my eyes.
He asked me what I could see.
It took a minute because the thing he had over my eyes was really close. I could tell it was green and lighter green and there was a pattern.
I finally asked is it money?
He said it was. Then I asked him why that was a deal. He asked me what else I could see.
Well…nothing. They money is so close to my eyes that’s all I could see.
He said, “that’s the point. If money is so close (important to me that I can’t see anything else) that becomes my god.
Oooooh. I get it. If I want money more than I want God, I will miss seeking God.
We talked about Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
That was an important lesson for me that day. It told me that if I seek money I will get money but if I seek God and His righteousness, I will find God and God will take care of lol my needs.
The truth of the matter is, having money can do very good things. I know people who have money and they do a lot of good for God. I know people who have a lot of money and they do a lot of good with what God has given them. They do not put having money before God. They do not love money.
God comes first.
Spiritual Practice: Money
What about your money? Is it more important to you than having a relationship with God? You’re the only person who can answer that. There isn’t anything wrong with having money. Just don’t make it your god.
In God, Deborah
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