As Christians, another way to do what Romans 12:2 says which is "Do not conform any longer to patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," is to deal with the issue of money.
Being "money-driven" is a clear pattern of this world. We know all the ways people pursue money because that is what drives this planet. Money and the pursuit of it is always in our face ALL THE TIME. Everything revolves around money which is fine.
However, as Christians, OUR focus should be on Jesus as it says in Hebrews 12:2a."Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."
Does that mean that we just lay around all day thinking about Jesus and do nothing with our lives?Of course not. It means that what drives us in life should be Jesus and not anything else, whether it be wealth, career, retirement, or what the world calls "success." All of these things are temporary anyway and fade away with time. Don't make them your main priority in life. Because priority can turn into desire, desire can turn into lust, lust can turn into greed, and greed can turn into idolatry. The love of money can consume you and destroy your life.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV
[9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] 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.
Let's find a healthy way to look at money.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
There we go. Now we're cooking!!! God will never leave us or forsake us so let's trust Him, be dependent upon Him to take care of us and He will. Let's be content with what we have. Let's have the same mindset that Paul had when he was teaching Timothy:
1 Timothy 6:8 NIV [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
What else can we do to have a healthy outlook on money? Let's see, Jesus said:
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV [19] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Paul tells us,
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV [17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
We can truly have life when we focus on storing up treasures in heaven which is loving people and helping them. When we don't put our trust in "uncertain wealth," but trust in God with our lives. We can trust Him at His word and be dependent on Him when He says:
Philippians 4:19 NIV [19] And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Read this one. Praise God through our Lord Jesus Christ!!
Matthew 6:25-33 NIV [25] “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? [28] “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
As we trust in God and depend on Him to meet our needs, let's all be responsible, and work and earn a living:
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV [11] and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, [12] so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Let's remember the example that ants provide so that we don't have to worry about any issues of poverty:
Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV [6] Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! [7] It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, [8] yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. [9] How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? [10] A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— [11] and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
So in review, have money but don't let it consume you. Be content with what you have as you work and earn a living. Depend upon God for everything and we'll always have everything we need.
Psalms 37:25-26 NIV [25] I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. [26] They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
Praise God!!!
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Love you all,
Jeffrey Post
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