CHA CHING

Who does not like money? Hard work is what gets you money. Sitting around dreaming about it does not. Now the Bible tells us to not set our heart on money and getting rich. Proverbs 23:4-5 says, " Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens."  Psalm 62:10 says "If Riches Increase, Set Not Your Heart Upon Them ."

 The Bible does not say it is wrong to gain wealth but sadly the current administration in the White House is trying to demonize those who make money and set up class warfare in our society. People work hard and deserve the paycheck they earn whether it is $20,000 or 1 million. That is what makes our society operate. People have an idea, they work hard on it and become successful. It does not happen overnight. In this country all of us have an opportunity to get ahead. We are truly blessed.  We are not be envious of those who have money.(See Exodus 20:17). Wise investing gets you money also. In Matthew 25:27 it says, " Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest."

But what does the Bible have to say about gambling if anything? Here we are in the day of the mega million jackpot lottery. The Bible does talk about 'if you do not work you should not eat'. (2 Thessalonians 3:10). In Proverbs 3:11 it says," Wealth from gambling quickly disappears, wealth from hard work grows."  To me gambling is not being a good steward of the money God has blessed us with. It is all his anyway. He is the one who gives us the power to gain wealth. (See Deuteronomy 8:18).There is one gas station I go to over here in Tennessee where I see folks who look pretty down and out lining up for lottery tickets. This makes me sad as the lottery is sort of a gamble. Many of the stories you hear of winners has them losing all their money in a few years. Some people I feel think there is no other way to get ahead. I am not trying to insinuate they are all lazy or anything like that but saying wise planning and hard work can alleviate the need for thinking getting rich quick will solve it all.

In the United States we feel 'entitled' to things like welfare checks, unemployment, and 'our rights'. Unemployment is important when someone has been laid off work but it should not become our lifestyle. We lose the desire to work and produce if someone is always giving us a handout. This is what has created the welfare state of thinking in this country. We feel the government owes us something. God does not want us to become lazy. Proverbs 14:23 says, " All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Colossians 3:23-24 tells us " Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy men are soon poor, hard workers get rich" and goes on in verse 5 to say "A wise youth makes  hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a youth that sleeps away his hour of opportunity."

Many stay home moms may feel like society feels they do not contribute as they are not out there working. God has a special place for you and that is to raise the beautiful children he has blessed you and your husband with. There will be plenty of time for work. Never work and sacrifice your children just so you can live in a bigger house or get some 'toy' you do not really need. There will be many years ahead to have a job once children are gone. You are raising leaders for the future is what I used to tell people.

 So what do you do with the money God has entrusted to you? Do you work hard and share his riches with others? Do not set out to be rich but be thankful when God does bless you with the ability to gain wealth. We can do many good things with our money to help others. Try to find ways to share and you will be a happier person.

PRAYER: Father thank you for what you have given me. Forgive me if I have ever been lazy and taken my money for granted. Help me to work hard at what I do. Help me to look around me for opportunities to help those less fortunate. Thanks for getting to live in America where we have so many opportunities to prosper. We know all we have is from you anyway. Help me never take what I have been given for granted. In Jesus Name, amen.