Thursday August 18, 2011

Read 1 Timothy 6

Priorities

So much of our time is occupied in earning a living that it is difficult to keep our priorities straight. Someone expressed the dilemma in these terms:  You can't win. If you run after money, you're materialistic. If you don't get it, you're a loser. If you get it and keep it, you're a miser. If you don't try to get it, you lack ambition. If you get it and spend it, you're a spendthrift. If you still have it after a lifetime of work, you're a fool who never got any fun out of life.

 

Money itself is morally neutral--it can be used for good or evil. The problem is caused by the love of money, not the amount of money (1 Timothy 6:10). We can be just as covetous and materialistic over a little as over a lot. People like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Joseph of Arimathea show that wealth itself does not jeopardize a person's walk with God. The real issue is attitude, not affluence. We may not consider ourselves rich, but compared to all the people who have lived on this earth in the past and in the present, we are clearly at the wealthy end of the spectrum.

The Values, Limitations, and Dangers of Money

“Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, lest I be full and deny Thee and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).

These words of Agur recognize both the value and danger of money. It can defend against the temptations of theft and crime which spring from poverty. It can overcome calamity (Prov. 10:15). It can be a blessing from the Lord which provides greater enjoyment of the physical aspects of life (Proverbs 10:22; 14:24; 15:6; 16:26; 22:4, 7). And it can improve one's social life (Proverbs14:20-21; 18:23; 19:4, 6-7).

But money also has its inherent limitations. It has been said that "Money will buy: a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not an appetite; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusement but not happiness; a crucifix but not a Saviour." The book of Proverbs recognizes these limitations, "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it" (Proverbs 15:16-17). "Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife" (Proverbs 17:1; cf. 22:1-2; 28:6).

Money can provide no satisfaction for our spiritual needs; it cannot purchase peace, love, or righteousness. It does not last, but slips through our fingers. "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it.

When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens" (Proverbs 23:4-6). Money is fleeting—we ultimately leave everything we call ours on this planet. "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either" (1 Timothy 6:7).

What dangers of money have you seen in your own life?

 

 

 

Prayer:

> Pray for the cell groups within the church that they will continue to support each other and help everyone to grow spiritually and emotionally.

> Pray for those not currently in a cell group that they will feel welcome and be invited to join a cell group to make new friends and feel encouraged.