Does your money vanish like a vapor?
You have planted much but harvest little…You earn money, but put it into a bag with holes.
— Haggai 1:6
On a hot summer day you can actually see water evaporating from a stream. Does your money appear to be vanishing? Are you constantly spending more than you earn? Maybe the solution is not getting more money into your hands. Let’s go to God’s word to see what the Scriptures say about money. Do you believe God cares about what you do with the money you earn?
What has first place in your life, God or money?
For one month, try writing down all of your purchases. This is a good way to reveal where your money is going and what has first place in your heart. Does God have first place, or do you spend most of your money eating out or buying clothes and other material things? Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 , “…first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing…the attitude and character of God), and these things will be given to you also.”
How often do you help those less fortunate than you?
Selfishly using money we earn is the opposite of what the Father has instructed us to do. Do we forget to help someone else or help the church we attend? “Give, and it will be given to you…running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” ( Luke 6:38 )
At some point in my walk with Jesus, I realized that it was part of my obligation as a Christian to give a portion of my income to my church. The Apostle Paul told the church he planted in the city of Corinth, “On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering.” ( 1 Corinthians 16:2 )
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for not putting You first in my life. Help me remember to keep You first in my heart.
