God or Money?

by Susan Sampson

“You cannot serve both God and money” (Mat. 7:24).

Who is the One true God?  Our strength, security, comfort, peace, provider, Savior, Redeemer, deliverer, healer, joy, power, and we could go on and on!  What stood out to me most powerfully from the lecture is when Laurie then said, “and money promises all these things, but cannot fulfill them.”  What is money?  How deceptively it has become a false god in my life of craving comfort and ease.  An idol in my heart.

So what do I do now?  I think there are two choices, two paths to choose.  Either darkness or light, fear or faith, hiding or confession.  My flesh craves the darkness, wants to run and hide in fear.  This is the easy way that leads to destruction.  The way that leads to life is the way of Christ, the way of the cross.  This is the “how”.

And you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Col. 2:13-14)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Money can pay for some earthly things.  Money can buy things.  Money can purchase things.  Money can pay a ransom.  Money provides an inheritance.

But money is not even close to the blood of the Son of God!

You were bought with a price… (1 Cor. 7:23)

…you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ… (1 Pet. 1:18-19)

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you… (1 Pet. 1:3-4)

Lord, turn our eyes away from worthless things.  Thank you, Jesus, for taking all my sin and in the greatest exchange in the history of the world, giving me your righteousness, your very life.  Thank you for your mercy and grace.  Thank you for forgiving our sin.  Lord, grant me repentance that I would treasure Jesus and His gospel more than any earthly thing.  Help me to use your money for your kingdom and not my own.

“Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone and live so all might see.  The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me.  Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way you choose.  And let my song forever be, my only boast is You.”  ~”All I Have Is Christ” by Jordan Kauflin

In Jesus’ name, Amen.