The Test of Money: Part 1
However anything works, you cannot serve God and riches.
I worked full-time as a financial consultant for over two decades. I helped hundreds of people plan investments, plan their future and reach financial goals. I learned a lot.
I learned that the pain of a down market is more than twice as intense as the joy of an up market. I learned that there’s never enough money for anyone. I learned that rich people are not as happy as poor people. And I learned that you cannot serve God and money.
I’ve written earlier that we are in a transition time. The old wine is not working, and the new wine has not come in yet. So many people are unhappy. God has purposely led millions of people it seems into a place where, if He does not come through they will not survive financially.
That’s where he wanted us all along.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else we will be loyal to the one and despise the other. I know a lot of achievers-people who love to accomplish things big and little. These people have a particularly difficult time dealing with this issue of Money.
More easily driven by guilt than some people, the voice of Money tells them, “If you go bankrupt, then you are guilty, because you trusted God too much and did not produce enough money.” That is of course an incredible lie. But it seems to work for a lot of Americans and many other people around the world. On the other hand, I believe every day monetary miracles will happen soon for many of us. They will become commonplace for us.
All the resources ever imagined are in heaven. We want them. However, God does not give them unless we line up with the Kingdom of God. We must seek Him and His Kingdom first. What does that mean:
- We do not worry about ourselves but jump off the cliff for His purposes.
- We think of others, needy people, desperate people in spirit and in body.
- We do exactly what God desires, directs and plans for us.
- We keep short spiritual accounts with God. His righteousness is the “bar” we have to clear, and I wrote recently He is raising the bar.
- We do not make a big deal about us, but focus people on God, His son and His amazing everything.
I once realized if I were to put a glass of wine into a septic tank, what would be the contents of the tank? Sewer water of course, not wine. If I were to put a glass of sewer water into a barrel of wine, what would I have? Sewer water, is the answer again! We cannot continue to bear these unrighteous things in our life. If we worry the “normal” amount about money, we are not in line with the Kingdom. If we hold anything against anyone, we are living in a septic tank, no matter how many good things are there. Jesus said about money, clothing and food, “Give no thought at all.” Try arguing that with a modern affluent westerner. Yet, they are wrong, dead wrong. This is a barrier to our receiving the Kingdom which moves in our hearts.
I see a two-tiered way of understanding money. One is the wisdom of the world & how things work in the world. Yet, there is a transcendent way God works supernaturally above that. Saving and investing are “wise” and good yet cannot “do it” for us; but building the Kingdom is great. It is possible to live by supernatural Kingdom Bank accounts.
Yet, we are already living in the greatest awakening in all history. It is private, quiet, deep and profound. God is squeezing any love we ever had for money out of us and we should be really thankful. He said to give not thought to tomorrow, so lets really do it with joy and thanks to God! Tomorrow I will tell you another story about money in my life and provision from heaven for His Kingdom.
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJ:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.









Bob,
I sincerely enjoy reading your insights and prospectives on variety of topics. This particular issue of money is so relevant to many in the wake of this current global economic downturn.
Like millions of others last year, I had to take the final exam before I got the lesson when I watched my 401K turn into a 201K.
It was a difficult test to pass. However, I remember hearing God speak these 4 words to me: “Do You Trust Me”? When I felt that pressure God revealed my strengths and weakness’s to me. I relied heavily upon Matt.6:25-36. Now I feel more like James (1:2)”Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”-Faith has to be tested to be trusted.
Thanks for blessing us again,
Melinda
Well said Bob. You are telling a truth about the Kingdom of God that most people do not understand. Keep on keeping on my friend and brother in Christ.
Bob:
Thanks again 4 another great piece. Must ask what prompted /led you to this quote? Will post additional comments later. I am both moved & encouraged by seeing sermon on the mount cited here. Will explain later. Peace & blessings!
Hi Kirsten, This subject is on my mind constantly. In my wedding ring, put on my finger permanently 39 years ago, is inscribed in part “Mt. 6:33.” I staked my life on it. This week it was on my heart so strongly I knew without praying that this was the message. I just had trouble breaking it down into blog-sized pieces. Yet it is God who speaks and opens our ears, not just the words. Tomorrow the third one is coming. It is another story of supernatural provision. So, the answer is- the Holy Spirit prompted the whole thing and the timing. What I also saw was that Matthew chaper 6 is entirely about money, not just the passage I quoted. I will write more on that. The hardest part of this is the transition we are in, the “hinge” I called it. Isaiah 58 is one of the OT passages, Matthew 6 is one of the NT echoes. There are so many. I feel this is a broken part of our nation-that the heart of America is broken and we are worrying about money in the name of “being prudent” or “practicality.” It is so pervasive among people I know that my heart is heavy over this. So, long answer, but I am giving a minority opinion with some stories to prove my point!! Stay in touch. God is at work.
Bob
Bob, this is a profound post. If only more Americans were aware of the Kingdom of God and the riches which it holds. Our culture is focused totally on materialism and not God. You are a fount of wisdom. You’ve taught me many things, but this lesson is the most important. Thank you for blessing so many by writing this post in a way all can understand. Blessings and peace!
I really appreciate your stopping by and commenting Virginia. In fact, is this not what part of the underlying theme is of your novel. I know it is, I am just saying it. Greed nearly destroyed America in the 1850-60′s. I am sure your movie will also show that. May it come soon.
Let’s pray for America, and the West and the whole world. These are the two prominent Gods. Lets pray God will topple money from the statuary in it’s temple.
Bob
Hi Bob, Your post is great and so are all the comments. I agree completely with what Virginia wrote. Matt 6:33 has been my daily theme verse for the past 8 years. It’s interesting that is on the inside of your wedding ring. Keep feeding God’s sheep. They are hungry for fresh words of life. Blessings, Randy
As Kirsten pointed out, Matthew 6 for the worldly-wise like becoming like a child, as Jesus said was necessary. These truths are so simple they are profound. Thanks for pointing it out and for visiting and commenting. Bob
Leave your response!
Subscribe TODAY
Recent Posts
Archives
JIREH Members
Categories
Blogroll
Recent Comments
Most Commented