Recent Comments
Popular Posts
Link Exchange List

Seeking Things Above


If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1)

Recent Articles

2008-05-21

Where does all the money go?

DebtIf you're reading this post then there is a very high probability that you are rich. You may not think you are, but you are. Take a look at this chart from Global Rich List. If you make just over $2,000 a year you are in the top 15% of the wealthiest people in the world.

So why do we struggle to make ends meet? Why do we never seem to have enough money to get what we need (or want)? Take a look at these statistics from Money Central:

  • About 43% of American families spend more than they earn each year.
  • Average households carry some $8,000 in credit card debt.
  • Personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade.

If we are so rich, why are we in so much debt?

This is really a topic for a book rather than a blog post and there are many books out there to choose from. The Bible has much to say about money, again, there is enough for an entire book. However, I came across a verse yesterday that really hits home with what we find in our country.

Haggai 1:5-6 (ESV)
5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.
6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Does this sound like you? It sure sounds like me sometimes.

The background on this text is that after the people of Israel had returned to their land from Babylon they built their own houses first with the wood that they purchased from Tyre and left the temple still in ruins. God was holding back his blessings from them because they were holding back from God.

I am not suggesting that our debt is caused because we don't give enough to the church. I'm not saying if you do give more you'll get more. What I am saying, is just like Israel when they returned from captivity, our priorities are not right.

If we can begin to put God first, we won't necessarily make more money, but we will be satisfied with what we do have.


Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is biblical, right? it's really hard when we talk about money, day trading and other money stuff.

Tony said...

Thanks for coming by and commenting.

There's nothing wrong with being a good steward with the blessings God provides. However, to whom much is given, much is expected.

Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)
16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,
17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'
18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'
20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

Unknown said...

Well I completely agree with this over mentioned article that"where does all the money go"?I am running my own printing business in alabama and earn well in a month but at the end of the month my all money gone in certain things thats really bad.
=====================
robert
Alaska Treatment Centers

Tony said...

Robert -

Thanks for coming by and commenting. I imagine it has to be extra difficult running your own small company.

Ronald Rodrix said...

I do agree with this article. We should not run after money. Money is only for holding our life in this world. It can't give us all the happiness of life. We should believe in God. He is love. But Money is not love. So please do remember this words, "Money is not everything, love is everything. This love is God. So love everyone".

--------------------------------
Massachusetts Treatment Centers

Post a Comment

Please feel free to comment. Be honest but be gracious to others. My kids may read this post.

This blog is wearing Sederhana, a free XML Blogger Template adopted from Oh My Grid - WP theme by Thomas Arie
Converted to Blogger by Gre Distributed by Blogger Blog Templates of the Fractal Blog Network [Template-Godown]