Several posts ago, we were talking about what it takes to live a simple life. You guys had some great ideas and helped "frame" the puzzle I was trying to complete. You can see that discussion here.
When I was growing up, my dad used to tell me a story about a friend of his who lived a very modest life with a normal house and older cars. What people never knew about him was that he had millions in his bank account that he often used to bless others. This man had chosen to live below his means. I believe his choices modeled a right heart relationship with what God had given him.
I believe strongly that those who manage to live a simpler life are not lovers of money. Now before you get nervous and just scroll down to the pictures, you can know that I am not even going to pretend to tell you what you should do with what God has given you. So take a deep breath. It is safe to read on.
Here are the 2 things that I think of often when I think of money:
1. I heard someone say once that if you drive a car with air conditioning, you are in the top 1% of the wealthiest people in the world. I have no idea if that is true, but I think we can look around and count it fair to say that if you have access to this blog you are probably not "poor" by the worlds standards. Your standards may be different, but from my view, we are all pretty blessed.
2. Matt 19:24 says, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
That verse always makes me squirm. I don't think God is saying here that only poor people are going to heaven. What I think He is saying is that money, more than just about anything else, can grab hold of our hearts and distract us from what matters most. So I feel strongly that in order to walk the path that God has called me too, I need to have a right relationship with my finances.
Today's Sidenote
3 comments:
I believe that is true... we do have to have a good grip on our finances in order to have a right walk with the Lord. It's not money that brings us down... it's the LOVE of money, that is the root of all evil. When we begin to covet money and worldly posessions over the things of God, it is then when we are stepping out of God's best for us. Money alone can not make you happy. But when we tithe, and give offerings (above and beyone the tithe) then God says he will pour out a blessing so big we cannot contain it, and He promises to meet our needs. It really just boils down to a heart condition. God is okay with us having things, as long as there is balance and our heart is obedient to His calling and in the right place. When we bring our tithes and offerings to the storehouse (the church where it pleases God to put you) then He is able to bless us abundantly! So basically, what we choose to do with our finances really is a matter of obedience and a heart condition. But I KNOW God enjoys blessing and prospering His children, especially when they are faithful to give as instructed. Then He knows He can trust us with more!
Great post!!
Blessings and Hugs!<><
~ Tanya
P.S. I would love to see photos of those yard spinners in Ruthie's room... they sound adorable and I'd love to do something like that in Khloe's playroom when we finish our basement one day. (o:
Incredibly well said TanyaLea. No way I could have said that better myself. Thanks
Ginny!!!!!
Well said my friend! The Lord has been leading us on a crazy 5 year journey of downsizing, giving and just plain old questioning what is important and what is not. It is amazing, when I allow the Lord to examine my heart in regards to what I "need" or "deserve" how often what He does is show me what is even better (Himself) and the desire for whatever "things" I was thinking of begins to fall away.
TanyaLea...that could be put into a book! Seriously, well said! It is all part of "bringing every thought captive" right?
I love that we serve a God who loves us enough to call us to bring every thought captive because He wants to show us what is life-giving and best!!!! Yahoo! What a great perspective to start the day with. Thanks guys!
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