Money Troubles

Yup...that's the name of today's reading...Money Troubles. My reading continued yesterday's discourse between Jesus and this rich young ruler. After the young man informed Jesus that he had kept all those commandments and that he was a "good person," he was readily taught that he only had to give away all he had to the poor and follow Christ. Well, he didn't stick around much longer. And that's too bad because when Jesus noticed the man's sadness (interesting that the man had so much, yet he couldn't buy the one thing he didn't know he always needed), He taught that as much as we lay down here on earth, we will be rewarded with 10 times that much in heaven.

It's so easy to say, "Oh, that's not my problem. I don't have too much. Sheesh...I don't have much at all! Money isn't my focus." But I was gently reminded this morning that money can be so much of a focus whether we have it or not. In today's world, when people have money, they often want more. When people don't have money, they want more. It becomes such a focus, such a top priority, that all else is lost.

And a chunk of our faith goes with it. God constantly reminds us throughout His Word that we are to trust Him for all our needs. The Psalmists sing it. The Gospels teach it. The apostles Paul and Peter preach it. We are never without encouragement to put our trust in our Provider. When we take away that trust and put it in ourselves, our abilities at work, our new job application, our chance for a raise, etc..., we fall farther away from "our first love." (Rev. 2:4-5)

Let's be encouraged today to keep placing our faith in the One who cares for the birds of the air and knows the number of grains of sand on the seashore! He cares for us and He knows our needs. "Financial Stress" is not one of the Fruits of the Spirit!!!