You mean money’s not where it’s at?

Please read I Timothy 6:6-19

When you stop to think about it, from the very beginning, the fall of mankind in sinfulness came about because of greed and selfishness. It’s the, “I want what I do not have and am willing to break the rules in order to get it” that gets us, hence the warnings and exhortations in today’s passage. Desire for wealth brings temptation. The love for more personal gain is foundational to our fall. Command those who are rich to verify where their faith lies. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” Store up your treasures in Heaven.

What a contrast to what our world today proclaims. We are often labeled or perceived as “misguided” if we put others ahead of ourselves, that is unless we  know that they’ll owe us one. We are delusional if we are committed to setting aside a percentage of our holdings for use by the church, unless we can then use it to manipulate the church to support us in some cause.

Can we actually fulfill these biblical exhortations? Is it possible to stand as a beacon of light in this world of moral decay? Can we really show them the truth through these archaic beliefs and methods? These questions approach the topic from the wrong perspective. We must recognize and accept that the Word of God was written long ago, but God is always in the now. He’s not just yesterday. His word is current and applicable to our lives in every moment. These are not archaic beliefs and methods. They are a heartfelt passion. They are the signs of life in our dying world today. They are the beacons of light shining into the darkness, drawing the lost and curious. When we have surrendered our hearts and lives to the shaping and molding of the Holy Spirit, we will live out the love and passion for God’s kingdom in all that we do. That means that He sanctifies our wallets, our homes, our businesses, our entire lives. All we have is His for the using. Let’s give it up.