The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much. —John Chrysostom
There’s satisfaction in making an honest living and providing for your loved ones. A day of good honest sweat leads to a good night’s sleep. Crooks and con men don’t have sweet dreams.
Still, at the end of the day what you do for a living cannot be the sum total of what you are in life. You can love your job (and I hope you do). But don’t love the money that comes with it. Otherwise, it controls you. 1 Timothy 6:10 famously asserts, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Escalating greed seems to be a mark of our society, as well as most societies in history. In almost every case, in the end, greed consumes and destroys.
The more we have, the more we have to worry about. The bigger the house, the more critical the locks and alarms. Finely tuned Maseratis and Porsches require constant fine tuning. (At least that’s what I’ve heard.) More stuff, more stress.
How can a working man keep possessions from possessing him? First, have less stuff. Second, eliminate or gain control over debt. But the best way to keep money from consuming you is to give some of it away. Hey, in the grand scheme of things it’s not really yours anyway.
Once you’ve mastered the art of giving, take another more dramatic step. Try giving in secret — generously ,magnanimously, without taking credit or telling anyone. Keeping it just between you and God.
What about you?
I am no financial guru. But there are excellent Christian financial experts and counselors available. Your pastor can point you in the right direction.
Adapted from: One-Minute Devotions for Dads. Copyright © 2012 by Jay Payleitner. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.