“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself!” ~King Solomon

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God's Goal, Jesus, King Solomon, Money, Wealth, Wise Sayings

I have a goal. I have a plan. I have dreams. They involve money.

What does wisdom say about that?

• What is my goal for wealth? I am overwhelmed with messages about wealth and retirement. They are everywhere I turn. Jesus says “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Luke 12:33-34)
• Am I willing to wear myself out to get it? Trying to get wealthy will wear me out. There just enough hours in the day and there is always more to do.
• Do I understand that wealth is fleeting? Jesus says “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
• What is God’s goal? God’s goal for me is focus on Jesus and being a good citizen of the Kingdom of God. God wants me to love. God wants me to use my money to be generous to others.

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
    restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;
    wealth sprouts wings
    and flies off into the wild blue yonder.” ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 23:4-5

Money

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“All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” ~Jesus

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Giving, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 21, Money

Jesus is looking. Jesus is going to challenge me. Am I ready?

• What will I give? Jesus is looking. Jesus knows what is going on. His message to me will be on target. No general suppositions on his part.
• Will I give a little? It isn’t that difficult to give. In America, in particular, we have a culture of philanthropy and giving. It is safe to assume it will only be a little of what I can afford. I could do more. I could do a lot more!
• Will I give it all? Will I give when I can’t afford it? That is the question today. Jesus has something he wants me to do. Will I do it?

Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Source: Luke 21:1-4

"Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money." ~~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Extravagant, Jesus, Messiah, Money, Rich

I want to go after God. He is the rich one, not me. He can pile it on.

Jesus, the Messiah, doesn’t hold back. Like Jesus, I want to be extravagantly generous. What I have is really nothing compared to Him. He is the one. What a great new plan He is executing.

I need to be intentional about investing my heart and life in what truly matters.

I need to obsess about God’s desires and not my desires for money.

I need to go after God.

I need to pursue treasures that last.

Here is the plan:

• Go after God
• Do good every day
• Be rich in helping others
• Be extravagantly generous

Now that is a good plan.

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG

"A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst." ~~King Solomon

Tags

Jesus, Money, Proverbs 11, Solomon, Wealth, Wise Sayings

Money

I sometimes think that money will save me. If I get in a tight spot, I know I can whip out my credit cards. I used to trust in my 401k.

God was willing to  give King Solomon anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom. Despite his wealth as King, he knew that money isn’t the answer.

God is the answer. Jesus will see me through when everything falls apart. It is interesting that on our money it says “In God we trust”.

Amen.

A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:4)

“All things are possible with God.” ~Jesus

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God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 10, Money, Trust

Money

Jesus had been talking with a rich man about some difficult things. He wasn’t willing to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. He left a very sad man.

Jesus commented about how hard it is for the rich to really get into God’s world. The disciples were stunned and were wondering how anyone could get in. All things are possible with God is the simple but profound answer.

May I see God’s power at every turn. God is God. All things are possible with him.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with  God; all things are possible with God.

Source: Mark 10:27

"Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot." ~~King David

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Jesus, King David Sayings, Money, Psalm 119, Wisdom, Wise Sayings

Wisdom

King David knew what was important in life. His passion was for God’s word. Nothing delighted him more that to hear what God had to say. He devoted himself to listening. He didn’t care about wealth, just obeying God.

May I long for what God is saying today. May I listen to God’s wisdom and his direction for me. May I obey God and do what he wants.

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.

 ~~King David (Psalm 119:34 The Message) 

"Money just draws flies." ~~ Mahalia Jackson

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Mahalia Jackson, Money

Money

There is one thing for sure. If you have money, it is “attractive” to others. They will seek you out. You will have no lack of “friends”.

But it doesn’t last. We all come to an end at some point and we know “we can’t take it with us.”

Jesus challenges us to build up our treasure in heaven. We are going to live eternally. With or without our God.

“Money just draws flies.”  ~~ Mahalia Jackson

“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” ~Bob Hope

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Bank, Bob Hope, Money

Common sense

Some things are so true the are just plain funny.

Now think about it.

A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it. Bob Hope

 

“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to want to take somebody else’s money.” ~~Thomas Sowell

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Greed, Money, Thomas Sowell

Dr. Thomas Sowell

This rings true. Generosity should be through the act of individuals. It always serves the needs of the deserving better that way I think.

“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to want to take somebody else’s money.” ~~Thomas Sowell

 

“Givers for God disarm the power of money.” -R. Kent Hughes

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Giving, Money, R. Kent Hughes, Wealth

Money

God loves a cheerful giver. God’s goal for us is that we use the financial gifts Jesus has given us to serve God’s World (Kingdom).

God doesn’t want us to abandon wealth. Jesus challenges us to use the wealth God has given us for God.

“The key to liberation from the power of materialism is not an exodus from culture – abandoning Wall Street or leaving the wealth of the nation to others – but the grace of giving… Givers for God disarm the power of money. They invite God’s grace to flow through them.” ― R. Kent Hughes

"All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?" ~~Jesus

Tags

Jesus Sayings, Matthew, Matthew 6, Money, Time

Jesus knows how to ask questions. He forces us to get clear. What is important?

Perhaps the question is rhetorical but it is worth an answer. So ask yourself. Do you think it makes much of a difference (in God’s world)?

Jesus knows, directly from God, what is important. It isn’t our fashion sense. It isn’t the kind of car we drive. It isn’t how well our house is decorated. It isn’t how well we eat.

Jesus challenges us to get our priorities in line with God and His government.

Does our heart burn with love for God?

Do we love everyone?

Do we have a heart for God?

Everything that isn’t focused on Him, what He wants and loving others is a waste of time and money. Period.

“All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?” ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:27-29 The Message)

Panic is greed’s cousin. Will we be content with godliness?

Tags

1 Timothy 6, Evil, Faith, Godliness, Greed, Money, Rich

Panic over money is greed’s cousin. Am I content with what I have? Do I have enough to eat and clothes? Is there a good roof over my head? When I panic over something I have lost, I have stared greed in the face. Panic shows that I am not content with what I have.

God’s goal for us is clear. His desire for us is godliness. That is what matters for eternity. What “we have” in terms of riches is of no value to God.

Godliness is the mission. All else pales in comparison. What will I leave this world with? Not money. Only my love of God matters.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

May I love God and be content.

May I understand the value of godliness.