Return to Index.

Lack of Money
November 17, 2012

Last week, we learned that disappointments are one of the challenges we face in life. In today's tough economy, lack of money is a challenge. Prices are higher and income is down. Over the past four years we have seen the price of gasoline double, and with that big of a price increase, most other prices have also risen. During the same time, wages have decreased and more found themselves without a job or working less. It's easy to get frustrated by a lack of money because money is what is needed to pay for what we need and want. When you have less money there is also less to share and being less generous is a compounding factor with less money. Having less money means eating out less, and buying fewer things at the store. Some have allowed purchasing to become what keeps them happy, so for these, the lack of money causes great sadness. Some have lost fortunes, many have lost their homes, and virtually everywhere, people are struggling just to get by. Worrying about finances can create a bunch of stress, and the sooner we develop an understanding of money and how it works for us, the better our life will be.

Proverbs 23:5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

One of the first things we need to understand about money is it is a measure of wealth. Those who have more money are richer and those who have less money are poorer. Who is rich and who is poor varies from person to person, as the terms rich and poor are relative. Walking through a neighborhood won't always let you know who is richer or poorer, even when you walk by a smaller house that looks in need of repair that is next to a larger house that looks like a new model home. It could be the person in the smaller home has the house paid off, and has lots of money in investments, while the person in the larger home is totally in debt on the home and would be lucky if their equity equaled the value of the lock on the front door. Much of what looks rich is poverty that is well-disguised. Then there are those who just always compare themself to others. They like to think of themself as richer or poorer than others. The problem with this is if you continually compare your financial situation to others, you will always be better or worse off than others. If you are really focused on riches, then you are likely to compare yourself to others to see how rich you are compared to them. You are likely to never be rich enough. Even when you earn more money, you will still not be rich enough. Andthose few lucky ones who win the lotto often find themselves poorer than when they started. Lack of money is a challenge we face in life, because sometimes we focus on what we do not have, rather than on what God has given us. Another concept we need to remember about money is that riches do not last forever. Just because you have money today does not mean you will have money tomorrow; all you would need to do is spend all of your money today and you would be without money tomorrow.

Proverbs 27:23-27
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Just because you have something today doesn't mean you will have it tomorrow, and if you don't pay careful attention you can find yourself losing everything you thought you had. In addition to carefully watching your wealth, you have to carefully use the resources you have been given. In the example of the above verses, an economic cycle is being shown. The vegetation of the land is used to feed the animals. The wool of the lambs becomes an investment in clothing, and the goats are used for food. When you have been given something of value, even if it is something like money, you have to use it to benefit your financial situation, because if you ignore your financial situation, you will one day find yourself to be without money. Some people invest their money so it can work for them. Others invest their time to save money. Investing your time could mean something as basic as cooking meals at home and clipping coupons. If everyday you could save five dollars at the end of a year you wouldamass over $1800, and you have to begin thinking what is more important, the five dollars or $1800. Focusing on what we do not have and not focusing on what we do have are two reasons why we sometimes feel challenged by a lack of money. There is another common mistake people make with money, and this one involves God. Sometimes we trust our money more than we trust God.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Those who trust in money forget that money is a tool we can use to improve our life, and tools only benefit us when we use them. A hammer will help you drive a nail into a piece of wood, and there is no hammer I know of that will drive a nail into wood of and by itself. Somebody always needs to hold the hammer so it can work. Money is like that, too. Money is only valuable when you use it like a tool. And just like I would never believe that my hammer would drive a nail into wood all by itself, I would never think that money can do the something all by itself. We have to use the money we have and in this passage from Timothy, he explains we have to be rich in good works, realizing it is God and not money that is the source of our riches. What the Bible shows us is the best way to avoid feeling like we have a lack of money is to focus on what we have without focusing on what we do not have while realizing what we have has been given to us by God. And when focus on what has been given us by Godwe are able to celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
Copyright and Legal Information
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information