This morning at church my Pastor gave a sermon called "Money Talks." It was different than any other "money" sermon I have ever heard before. He actually brought $10,000 on stage and asked questions of this pile of cash...and unbelievably, the money answered! (Thanks to the help of a guy backstage, of course.) I never thought I'd hear $10,000 talk to me from the church pulpit. It was a little freaky! Anyways, aside from the creativity, it's always interesting to talk about money. There's nothing like mentioning this commodity to make us squirm and start reaching for our wallet to ensure it's safety. However, it's also one of the easiest ways to bring about conviction and self-examination.
Money can easily be viewed as one of, if not "the" most important things in the world. Even for Christians this can be true. We work so hard to get it and then so easily let it go. So much of our effort and time is spent around it. If you want to bless or curse someone--"money" is your guy. Somehow the wallet gets our attention every time. Ever notice how it takes nothing but an unexpected car repair, or a bill in the mail to cause us to utter the cry of, "God help us!" With so much power wrapped up in something, there's the potential for both harm or good to come as a result.
I don't know about you guys, but I'm hoping for the "good" out of that equation! I want my attitude towards money to be one of gratitude and generosity. I would hope my actions would also reflect this. (I have a LONG way to go!) Money is a tool that can be used to benefit so many.
I pray that as I learn to live as "salt and light" in this world, that my money would also serve as that portrayal. May I not get caught up in the world's attitude towards money that I neglect to view it as just another gift to be used for the kingdom.
