For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

1 Timothy 6:7-10

---

In the United States, many of us grow up with a fascination with the wealthy, money and success—and it often can feel like there is no escaping their allures. The pop-up ads on my social media feed tempt me to question if I’m making enough money as they suggest How to Boost your Bank Account this Week! I can’t help but stare at expensive cars that drive past me, and I wonder what it would be like to be the driver inside. And almost every night, my two teenage kids end their day watching famous YouTubers and will talk about what it would be like to become one—some of which are worth more than $500 million dollars.

Our world shouts at us, telling us that money will bring value and happiness. It’s a strong, almost-impossible-to-resist pull from our culture to believe this is true, and that if we could “just have a little bit more…” life would be better. 

However, the Bible wisely tells us that putting our trust in wealth will leave us empty. 

In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son thought wealth would allow him to find happiness independently of his father. He represents most of us, doesn’t he? We want our inheritance or wealth, we want to go our own way and not have to be dependent on God. There is a war for our hearts every day—will we choose to put our hope and faith in money, or will we choose to trust our heavenly Father to provide and give us hope?

Proverbs 23:5 says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” This verse is a good reminder that wealth, a job or a business and its steady earnings can be here today and gone tomorrow. But Jesus? He will never abandon you. He will go ahead of you. He will provide for whatever it is that you need.  You can trust Him. 

Next Steps 

• One way to grow in your love of Jesus over money is to be generous with what you have. Ask God to show you one person or organization that you could bless financially and give above what you normally would. 

• Take time to make a list of all of the ways, both big and small, that God has provided for you. Use that list to help you build trust that He will do it again.