Money–Money–Money… Hello weekend readers. Obviously you know what my devotion is going to be—MONEY! Why? Because in our country right now ‘money’ seems to be the biggest headline but there are two types of this headline: 1) greedy billionaires who want more money; 2) those who are barely making enough to feed their families, housing, etc. My musing on money is something that bothers my heart and soul deeply because of what our government has taken away for those who are in need. Here’s an interesting story about money…

Louis Agassiz, the famous 19th-century professor and naturalist was invited to address the members of a learned society. Agassiz declined the invitation for the reason that giving lectures took up too much of the time that he wanted to devote to his research and writing. However, the society wouldn’t take no for an answer and they offered to pay the professor handsomely for his time if he would only come and give a speech. This is what he said to them: “Money is no inducement to me. I can’t afford to waste my time making money.”

Would you give that answer or would you want your money? I’m thinking a large percentage throughout the world would like to have a paycheck for what they do. Why? It’s because money is often seen as the essence of life—the one thing that will outdo everything else. Ultimately, the attitude behind this way of thinking is that money is what’s going to lead us to the happiness we yearn for is as dumb as can be. It may sound good but it’s simply not true and here are some Scriptures to back it up:

“But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.” [1 Timothy 6:9-10 MSG]

“Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have because He has said, “I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.” [Hebrews 13:5 VOICE]  

“You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.”  [Matthew 6:23-26 MSG]

Think about this—when people are getting ready to leave this life behind and enter eternity, no one ever asks to be with his money or his work. You will never see a U-Haul going up to heaven. When it comes down to it, the things that really matter in life are the people you love and the purpose for which you’ve lived.

In closing, let’s hear from the Apostle James [5:1-6 TPT] “Listen all you who are rich, for it’s time to weep and howl over the misery that will overtake you! Your riches lie rotting, your fine clothing eaten by moths, and your gold and silver are corroded as a witness against you. You have hoarded up treasure for the last days but it will become a fire to burn your flesh. Listen! Can’t you hear the cries of the laborers over the wages you fraudulently held back from those who worked for you? The cries for justice of those you’ve cheated have reached the ears of the Lord of armies! You have indulged yourselves with every luxury and pleasure this world offers, but you’re only stuffing your heart full for a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered good and innocent people who had no power to defend themselves.”  

So dear friends, don’t be sucked in by the lie that money is everything. Instead, find your value in your relationships with others and your service to God. Those are the things that endure! AMEN.