Our society is full of the pursuit of money as a source of identity and purpose. Unfortunately, this pursuit results in financial bondage. Financial bondage is sometimes mistakenly considered to just be debt, but there are many forms including trying to get rich, spending as a source of escape, or even excessive saving. These pursuits are often placed before God.
We have to remember we can’t take money with us to eternity. We’ll leave it behind when we move on someday. For me, this is reason enough to try and not place money first in my life and use it for my desires or purposes. Rather, it should be a tool to fulfill God’s purposes.
I came across a scripture this week in Revelation that is a sobering reminder to keep our guard up against greed and to not identify ourselves with money and possessions. Again, we will leave them behind.
11The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— 12cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14They will say, The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered. 15The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16and cry out: Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin! Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, Was there ever a city like this great city? 19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you. 21Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. Revelation 18:11-21 (New International Version).
My study Bible had this to say about the scripture:
God’s people should not live for money, because money will be worthless in eternity. And they should keep on guard constantly against greed, a sin this is always read to take over their lives.
I think we have to remember as humans we are always vulnerable to selfish desires and temptations. Part of being a good steward is strengthening ourselves from such temptations by establishing accountability with other Christians, counselors or our family. We also have to pray and be open about our finances with God. Finally, reading and thinking over scripture such as this can bring us back to God’s perspective and help us live in His economy.
How does this scripture make you feel about money?
So true, but I find myself slipping at times. My best defense is to remind myself daily that God is in control of everything I own. It is all His and I’m on this Earth to be a good steward of it. When I’m in this sweet spot it is amazing to see how God blesses my family.
Thanks for the reminder today.
Tony, I think we all slip up and will continue to do so as humans. But, as you mention, the constant reminders and prayer can help us learn from those mistakes and avoid them next time.
A literal interpretation of the above would lead one to be a little more reckless and a little less focused on saving – after all, if you can’t take it with you, then what is the point of saving? My response is that the point of saving is two-fold – to ensure self-reliance for however long you are alive, and to be able to generously provide for those who come after you once you are gone (whether family or otherwise).
The real point of the scripture, in my judgment, is that the proper focus is always God and is never material things on earth, not that it is “bad” to make accumulation of wealth a (lesser) priority.
Mike, thanks for your comments. I agree with your savings points. The scripture is focussed on putting material things before God. As an aside, I think financial bondage can be in the form of excessive saving or hoarding too (which can another idol as spending can be).
Hey,
This post reminds me of the verse (as I remember it)
‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God’
We were created to honor and serve God, not to pursue great riches. However, if we are truly seeking God, and opportunities to serve him, we’ll probably be obedient to the diligence commanded in Proverbs and attain great riches for the furthering of His kingdom.
Thanks for the reminder that there’s room for God in my wallet.
Cheers,
Guy
.-= Guy G.´s last blog ..How To Manage Money Tips has joined the Yakezie Challenge! =-.
Jason,
Verse 17 jumped out at me: “In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” It is a stark reminder of how the wealth we work so hard for can disappear quickly.
It makes me appreciate true wealth (a relationship with Jesus) can never be taken away. But it also motivates me to be wise with the resources God has entrusted me with.
.-= Joe Plemon´s last blog ..The Sad Tale of Clarence and Evita =-.