It's Not About the Money

Do you worry about money?  A lot of people do.  I googled sayings about money and many familiar ones popped up.  Are any of these familiar to you?  Money makes the world go ‘round, it’s all about the Benjamins, she works hard for the money, money talks, a penny saved is a penny earned, money doesn’t grow on trees, time is money… I could go on and on.

There have been countless books written on how to make money.  You can attend seminars, listen to podcasts or CDs all telling you how to make money.  Why does making money consume our focus?  The answer is obvious isn’t it.  When we have money, we feel secure to take care of ourselves.  We can pay our bills, feed our family, put a roof over our heads, and plan for our future.

Money and wealth are hot button topics. Our scripture today warns against the LOVE of money, and praises the efforts of hard work.

Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. Vs. 10

The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep. Vs. 12

Taking care of ourselves and our family is different than loving money, but I think it can be a slippery slope when we look to money and wealth to solve all our problems. I love what verses 18 and 19 say,

“¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 

It is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor… I love that.  Working hard and enjoying the fruit of our labor is not a bad thing, but it would be good for us to all remember, it’s not about the money.

Read today's passage here

Drink Up

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

New International Version (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I was away from home for three days. During that time, three short days, no one was tending my garden.  The sun was shining every day and by the time I returned my flowers were wilted; one of them appeared so dried and shriveled I thought there was no hope to revive and restore it to the life and beauty of three days ago. It seemed the only recourse was to uproot it and toss it in the trash.

Aren't there days when we too, feel shriveled up?  Aren't there days when the intense heat of living has beaten down on us so long we say we can't take much more? Aren't there times we fear that without a break from life's oppression we will give in? 

Our scripture verses today point to our hope. These lines provide a hope and a new way to look at ourselves and our troubles. "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  

When I saw my wilted plants, I did not toss them out, I grabbed the hose and gave them a deep drink of water.  This morning I can see life begin to revive the wilted stems.  I know that if I continue to give them refreshment, they will be restored. They will even be stronger.

Isn't this how God helps us too?  God, our Living Water, breathes new life into our dried up hearts. We may appear to be finished until we take a deep drink from this well of Living Water.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10