Money does stupid things ∙

Money does stupid things ∙

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5

Psalms 119:35-40

 35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

 36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

 38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.

 39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.

 40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

One of the unforeseen consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic was the accumulation of substantial amounts of money in the bank accounts of individuals who remained employed and had nothing to spend it on. Apparently, money, akin to energetic individuals, thrives on being active and engaged rather than just lying around gathering interest. What would all this money do? “The money has nowhere to go, so it’s doing stupid things” (Howard Lindzon). Money learned to do stupid tricks (Erin Griffith).

A buying frenzy erupted. In March 2021, a Tom Brady trading card sold for $1.3 million, setting a new record. Additionally, a work of digital art created by the relatively obscure artist Beeple, previously unrecognized, astoundingly fetched $69.3 million at Christie’s auction house, surpassing initial bids that began at a mere $100. Meanwhile, the value of Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, soared past the remarkable milestone of $1 trillion.

Of course, money learned or did nothing. Money is not alive and sentient. It is devoid of the ability to learn or take action. Instead, the individuals who possess money are the culprits. They sprang into action. When faced with prolonged periods of boredom and confinement at home, people eventually reached a tipping point and burst out. Investment manias of all types, many unheard of, exploded. People’s hearts follow their treasures. But what do these people treasure the most?

Solomon had this worked out 3000 years ago. He provided great insight and wisdom for all to absorb and consider. Solomon’s teachings offer invaluable lessons.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-15

 10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth – except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

 12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.

 13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.

 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.

 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Money in itself is neither good nor bad, but the love of it may lead to evil. With it, people may selfishly serve their own desires . . .. Money is not itself an evil, but it is a great responsibility. It has power for good and power for evil” (Barclay).

Father help me to be wise with my priorities. Encourage me to treasure what You treasure. Help me to align my heart so that my greatest treasure is my love for You and Your precious Word.

INSIGHT

Treasuring money, wealth, and material things put us at odds with the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed an unchanging principle that encompasses and informs all we do.

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

A remnant of children of the King displays a clear and sincere affection for the Word of God. This profound love for scripture naturally stems from their deep-rooted affection and intimate connection with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When our treasures do not align with the desires of the Father, redirecting our hearts begins with a crucial question: How do we repurpose our affections? When a new child of the King asked this question, seeking guidance. He was advised to spend time in the Word of God every day and earnestly pray to fall in love with the Lord Jesus Christ. Remarkably and delightfully, after several months, the transformation began to happen.

Most of us know what it is like to be in love with another person. Our hearts dance with delight at the mere thought of them, and the anticipation of being in their presence becomes nearly irresistible. Emotions well up within us, occasionally leading to tears, as our overwhelming joy bursts forth, impossible to contain.

Have you ever contemplated what it is like to be deeply in love with the Lord Jesus Christ? Imagine the sheer joy, boundless joy, and exhilaration that accompanies such a profound connection.

Wonder of wonders, every child of the King can fall in love with Him.

Have you ever considered or imagined what it would be like to have a passion and a deep heartfelt love for the Word of God itself? This is more than a desire for the pure milk or the delight of tasting and consuming it. It is so much more than that. What a thrill, a sheer delight, to be passionately in love with the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk . . .. Cry out for this nourishment,

Psalms 119:103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

Take a moment to reflect on the marvel of honey. This extraordinary substance is marvelously manufactured by industrious honeybees using raw nectar. Beyond its delightful sweetness, honey possesses many remarkable qualities, some recently discovered by nutritionists. Honey contains an array of antioxidants and antibacterial and antifungal properties. Honey is healing and soothing. Furthermore, it fortifies the immune system, protecting against harmful elements in the natural world.

The Word of God far exceeds honey in all of these areas and so much more.

The power to choose what we treasure ultimately rests within us. We control our priorities. In the present moment, it is wise to reassess our priorities and humbly request the Father to search our hearts, bringing to light any concealed sins lurking within. The potential negative consequences of neglecting this introspection are explicitly outlined and serve as a cautionary reminder.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and with many sorrows.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 4-28-1

© Dr. H 2023