Is There Hope For Financial Security In Our World?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

             Today as I caught up reading my e-mails I deleted several that I seem to see over and over in my computer mail.  You know the kind, "Our country is in financial trouble. The markets are going to collapse!  A slice of bread will soon buy a basket of gold worth $125.00.  Hurry and order our booklet that gives you the secret of surviving the coming bad times."

            It is written by an extremely wealthy man who just happens to have all the secrets of how to get rich when everyone else is going under.  He is so rich that all he has to change anyone who falls for his get-rich-quick scheme is $49.95 for the pamphlet that will give you all the information you need to get rich also while everyone else is going broke.  Yeah.  Rigghhtt!

            I often wonder who falls for this kind of trash.  Then I think about all the poor souls who buy lottery tickets every week, even though they can't pay all their bills.  Or those who gamble on the horses, games of chance, ball games, and whatever else men gamble on.  Don't they know they are only throwing their money away?  Why don't they understand.

            We all need to follow the example of Paul.  Even while he preached the gospel he worked as a tent maker to pay his way.  He worked for what he needed and trusted the Lord that it would be sufficient. 

            Our society has become so in love with "things" and whatever money can buy, like prestige, that we completely lose sight of what is really important.  We should not act in ungodly ways to get money. If we trust in money we never have enough.  If we trust in the Lord to provide, we will be satisfied with what we have.  We need to keep our eyes on things that are eternal, like helping others learn about our Lord and leading them to a personal relationship with him.  What is your treasure?  Where is your heart?

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6. (NIV)

Pat Eppler