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.” Hebrews 13:5
Across the globe, these are tough economic times. What once may have appeared stable in our lives is now a source of anxiety and insecurity for many. With the rising costs of food, fuel, healthcare and housing, savings have been tapped and emptied just to survive each day. Many jobs have been lost and there are those who cannot find employment no matter how hard they try. The belief in sacrifice and hard work over a lifetime as guaranteed ways to financial security upon retirement, we now know is not necessarily true. For some with unfortunate investments and betrayal of trusted individuals, their money has dwindled and now the future is uncertain. Without the monetary resources, we are unable to provide for our families’ needs in today’s world. How scary and painfully distressing for so many of God’s children! But, what can we do?
God reminds us again and again throughout Scripture that He is with us, that He will never desert us! He knows our every need and He will show us the way forward. In looking back, we will be surprised at the many opportunities and choices He placed before us. The question is, will we choose what we want or will we allow ourselves to be open to the direction He is leading us? Are we prepared to make the changes, albeit painful at times, necessary to follow the course He has planned for us? Only we can respond to His call, His prodding. Our vision of comfort, provision, perhaps even wealth, luxury or travel, surely may be changed as a result, but it just may be that the situation is a blessing to us, one that enables us to reflect on a life God-centered rather centered on “the love of money.”
With our sense of appreciation for who we are, where we are and what we do have heightened, and our awareness of where it came from renewed, our feeling of contentment will be restored as well. For, in the depth of our very being, there will be a greater understanding that He has never, and will never, abandon us.
Father, you have provided us with what we have, for all our needs. With gratitude, we ask you to help us keep the need and use of money in its proper place.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson