Money Money No

Posted by Traci at 1:43 PM

I was reading in Lord Change Me about how God will exchange our attitude for his.  The particular example she gave was about money.  Matthew 6:24 says you cannot serve both God and money.  So I decided to read the whole chapter.  Here are some key verses that stuck out:

6:19 – 23 (The Message): “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. Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar.

6:25 – 32 (The Message): "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body… What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

And lastly, this one was the most powerful to me – vs 33. NKJV: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Hallelu-hallelu-ah (that was me).

We’re trying to decide on a house now, so the money thing is something we’ve been thinking a lot about.  We found a house that we loved, even though the interior is totally 70’s chic. But it’s a little more than I’m comfortable with. Not unwise, but my accountant brain is always thinking less is more.  But this passage gave me such a peace about it.  Don’t lay up for yourself stores of cash (or in our case stores of pennies). God will take care of our basic needs.  The point isn’t the house, but trusting God in any situation – in an apartment, in a big house, in no house. In whatever house He has for us.

How could God minister through us with that house? Not sure, but the phrase “kingdom of God” jumped off the page.  Matt Papa’s new album is titled Your Kingdom Come. And the music is all about that.  I’ve heard that phrase my whole life – your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  But recently God’s been showing me how he meant now. As in April, 2010.  As in through me.  Or Him through me really.  One of my favorite quotes is by Helen Keller – “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it”.  How could God’s healing balm touch the world through me?  I haven’t figured everything out yet, but I’m so excited to see what He has planned for us.  

ps hope Chip likes this post title