“One of the dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied with the kinds of happiness money can give, and so fail to realize your need for God. If everything seems to come simply by signing checks, you may forget that you are at every moment totally dependent on God.” – C. S. Lewis
I like this quote by C.S. Lewis because it reminds us that we are completely dependent on God. For everything!
In stewardship, we teach that God owns it all. Our finances, our talents and gifts, and our time. We are responsible for managing these resources wisely and in ways that bring glory to our Provider.
In the first line of the quote, Lewis refers to having a ‘lot of money.’ In my experience, the amount of money we have isn’t the key. The important thing is what is our heart about money. If we see money as the source of our happiness, we are going to be greatly disappointed. Money can come and go.
We may lose our job which can lead to one financial setback after the other.
We can experience a health crisis which can reduce our income and drain any savings we’ve accumulated.
Divorce can devastate us financially as well as emotionally and relationally.
There goes our money and our happiness because of our dependence on it.
When we depend on money for our happiness, we will ultimately lose both. Why? Because our focus is on the wrong thing. When we look at money as our source, we fail to realize our need for God. He is the one who gives the power to get wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV
Three Things About God and Money
ONE: Money can’t fill the need for a personal relationship with God. It will always disappoint because, no matter how much or little we have, we will eventually reach the point where there is never enough money. Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10 NLT
TWO: We will never reach the point where there is never enough God. He is always there, ready to provide what we need when we need it and to superabundantly bless us for our faithfulness and trust in him.
THREE: Study the Word to discover God’s intention for us and the money he provides. There are over a thousand verses in the Bible that deal with money, more than any other subject. Our financial freedom is essential to God. He’s provided us with clear instructions in how do walk in it.
How do you see God operating in your finances?
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