For The Love Of Money
Hi Family!
I was having a chat with my middle daughter about preparing for high school and college. We were talking about how having a degree makes a major difference in the struggle with money/income. I forget how unrealistic some kids can be about household finances and what a person has to do in order to make things work. I realize that a majority of my kids think that our family is rich! Well, we sure are. Maybe God hasn't manifested that fact in our bank account... yet. But there is NO denying that we are rich in many ways. So We Praise God For That!!
But our conversation got me to thinking about the things we do for money. The endless hours we spend studying in order to get a degree that will prayerfully skyrocket our careers/income. The odd jobs we accept in order to get the extra cash we need. The jobs we hate but we endure because of our NEEDS. The long hours that we need to spend away from our family in order to keep that job that actually DOES provide. The nighttime shifts that sometimes leave your spouse feeling like a single parent. The struggle is real people. It reminds me of the following scripture though:
I feel like that scripture is so true. At least when it comes to money. It makes you wonder, how far would I go for that extra dollar? What would you sacrifice for that extra dollar? God blesses us with jobs. He knows we have things that are NEEDED in order for a family to survive. He knows we need shelter, food, clothing. And He will always make sure we have what we NEED. But when you begin to consider the difference between NEED and WANT, that's when you start to wonder if you might cross a few lines. Some people get respectable second jobs. And as long as there is agreement within your family to do so, then God will always bless that agreement. But when the desire for those extra things that are not considered a NEED drive you do find money doing things that are less than moral/respectable/legal/honest, you may be finding yourself loving money more than God.
For example, if you have a respectable day job and it meets THE NEEDS of the home, but it does not meet your "needs". You may find yourself considering a second income. And that's fine. Especially if there is agreement in your home. But what will you do for that second income? Exotic dancer? Sell Drugs? Prostitution/Escort? Stealing? Illegal Peddling? That is where we cause our mistakes. Sometimes our "needs" are so great in our minds that we ignore the fact that if we are just obedient in our instructions and be responsible for what we have, we will receive more. That is in the bible too. I call it part of the If/Then policy. If you do this, then i'll do that. Don't believe me? Lets look at it...
Here is the "If":
And Here is the "Then"
Ok, still don't believe that these scriptures aren't for real? Lets make it real then. My Pastor said in our bible study that people don't want to hear scripture. That anyone can pull scripture. They want to see what's real in a real life person. Especially one that they know.
So you all know me right? Most of you are very familiar with me. If not, believe me, through these posts you have gotten to know me very well. You have all heard me say that I've been looking for advancement in my career. That I am ready for the next level. I've been saying that for about 2 years now. When I started to consider things at that time, it was first because I was starting to see more than before, that there were "needs" in my home that needed to be met. I saw how much Daycare costs REALLY were affecting our finances. And I would repeatedly hear Reggie say "If we didn't have to pay daycare....." But we needed to stay faithful for what we had. We needed to keep the faith no matter what. And if we tried a side business or even thought about a second job, it would have to be in agreement. Well, it just so happened at the end of the year last year my boss brought me in to the conference room. This was nothing new for me. He seemed to always have me in the conference room for one reason or another. He had a paper in his hand which was odd but I didn't pay it much attention. We sat down and he hands me the paper and asks me to review it. I quietly do and my jaw drops. I looked up and him with a shocked look on my face and stuttered the words "why? how? but.." and he suddenly begins to explain that our execs for our division had HR to a full review of the people under them to be sure that everyone was in a position that the pay was in order. It turns out that I was the only person being UNDER paid!! At least the only person in my small group. He continued to explain that the new pay is effective immediately and that it does NOT affect the yearly increase that we are due. I was completely floored!!! I was excited!!!! And all I could think was GOD HEARD MY PRAYER!!!!!! HE REALLY HEARD ME AND ACTED ON IT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!! Now, the increase that I received was not any crazy astronomical amount. But guess what. The adjustment that I received per month is the amount of money that we pay in the course of a month in daycare!!!! So for me, GOD IS paying my daycare bill!!!!
So I will repeat!! What will you do for money to cover your "needs"?? Will you love money so much that you'll do something less moral or legal? Or love God and depend on Him enough to pray and wait to see what God does and how He answers your prayer? I loved how He proved to me that He was listening!! I can't wait to see/hear what He does for you!!
I love you all!! Be Blessed!!!!!
I was having a chat with my middle daughter about preparing for high school and college. We were talking about how having a degree makes a major difference in the struggle with money/income. I forget how unrealistic some kids can be about household finances and what a person has to do in order to make things work. I realize that a majority of my kids think that our family is rich! Well, we sure are. Maybe God hasn't manifested that fact in our bank account... yet. But there is NO denying that we are rich in many ways. So We Praise God For That!!
But our conversation got me to thinking about the things we do for money. The endless hours we spend studying in order to get a degree that will prayerfully skyrocket our careers/income. The odd jobs we accept in order to get the extra cash we need. The jobs we hate but we endure because of our NEEDS. The long hours that we need to spend away from our family in order to keep that job that actually DOES provide. The nighttime shifts that sometimes leave your spouse feeling like a single parent. The struggle is real people. It reminds me of the following scripture though:
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
I feel like that scripture is so true. At least when it comes to money. It makes you wonder, how far would I go for that extra dollar? What would you sacrifice for that extra dollar? God blesses us with jobs. He knows we have things that are NEEDED in order for a family to survive. He knows we need shelter, food, clothing. And He will always make sure we have what we NEED. But when you begin to consider the difference between NEED and WANT, that's when you start to wonder if you might cross a few lines. Some people get respectable second jobs. And as long as there is agreement within your family to do so, then God will always bless that agreement. But when the desire for those extra things that are not considered a NEED drive you do find money doing things that are less than moral/respectable/legal/honest, you may be finding yourself loving money more than God.
For example, if you have a respectable day job and it meets THE NEEDS of the home, but it does not meet your "needs". You may find yourself considering a second income. And that's fine. Especially if there is agreement in your home. But what will you do for that second income? Exotic dancer? Sell Drugs? Prostitution/Escort? Stealing? Illegal Peddling? That is where we cause our mistakes. Sometimes our "needs" are so great in our minds that we ignore the fact that if we are just obedient in our instructions and be responsible for what we have, we will receive more. That is in the bible too. I call it part of the If/Then policy. If you do this, then i'll do that. Don't believe me? Lets look at it...
Here is the "If":
Luke 16:10
"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.
And Here is the "Then"
Matthew 25:23
"The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'
Ok, still don't believe that these scriptures aren't for real? Lets make it real then. My Pastor said in our bible study that people don't want to hear scripture. That anyone can pull scripture. They want to see what's real in a real life person. Especially one that they know.
So you all know me right? Most of you are very familiar with me. If not, believe me, through these posts you have gotten to know me very well. You have all heard me say that I've been looking for advancement in my career. That I am ready for the next level. I've been saying that for about 2 years now. When I started to consider things at that time, it was first because I was starting to see more than before, that there were "needs" in my home that needed to be met. I saw how much Daycare costs REALLY were affecting our finances. And I would repeatedly hear Reggie say "If we didn't have to pay daycare....." But we needed to stay faithful for what we had. We needed to keep the faith no matter what. And if we tried a side business or even thought about a second job, it would have to be in agreement. Well, it just so happened at the end of the year last year my boss brought me in to the conference room. This was nothing new for me. He seemed to always have me in the conference room for one reason or another. He had a paper in his hand which was odd but I didn't pay it much attention. We sat down and he hands me the paper and asks me to review it. I quietly do and my jaw drops. I looked up and him with a shocked look on my face and stuttered the words "why? how? but.." and he suddenly begins to explain that our execs for our division had HR to a full review of the people under them to be sure that everyone was in a position that the pay was in order. It turns out that I was the only person being UNDER paid!! At least the only person in my small group. He continued to explain that the new pay is effective immediately and that it does NOT affect the yearly increase that we are due. I was completely floored!!! I was excited!!!! And all I could think was GOD HEARD MY PRAYER!!!!!! HE REALLY HEARD ME AND ACTED ON IT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!! Now, the increase that I received was not any crazy astronomical amount. But guess what. The adjustment that I received per month is the amount of money that we pay in the course of a month in daycare!!!! So for me, GOD IS paying my daycare bill!!!!
So I will repeat!! What will you do for money to cover your "needs"?? Will you love money so much that you'll do something less moral or legal? Or love God and depend on Him enough to pray and wait to see what God does and how He answers your prayer? I loved how He proved to me that He was listening!! I can't wait to see/hear what He does for you!!
I love you all!! Be Blessed!!!!!
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