“Make A Choice Between God And Money!”

“Make A Choice Between God And Money!”(Mt.6:19-24).
“No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Perhaps it is a misnomer to tag some particular faith groups as belonging to the “Food Gospel,” and/or “Prosperity Gospel!” It may be true that some faith groups lay greater emphasis on the advantages of wealth acquisition than others; but there is no poor Church; except there is no means of becoming rich.
Once upon a time the Church was becoming too worldly, not only competing in wealth with the secular society, but outshining the secular society. This led to individuals founding Religious Orders as a way of serving God without serving Money at the same time. Monasteries were not meant to be places of wealth. Over time, as their services were being appreciated, wealthy lords willed their estates and wealth to the monasteries and these monasteries also became as wealthy as the secular society.
Today, to say one is blessed is to mean he has material blessings and lots of money and investments.
There’s no doubt that the world is fast changing and if Jesus had been born in this generation he would have said some things differently from the way he said them then.
But even so, we may still ask, “Did Jesus reject wealth?” He had wealthy disciples who supported his ministry. Jesus called the Twelve to join him in preaching the good news of the kingdom of God to the majority. This majority was to accept the good news while continuing in the work they were doing. Those who work hard have greater reward that make them wealthy. But once you know about the kingdom of God, you see your wealth with different eyes.
It is true that “you cannot serve both God and Money.” But instead of serving money, you can use it to serve God. That is why at the gate of every rich man are the Lazarus’ whom the rich man must attend to.
Be a child of God who appreciates that all the good things you have are coming from God. Do not elevate a blessing and make it a rival God. Rather, thank God for it and look for avenues by which to dispense of it. Remind yourself that you are a conduit of God’s money to circulate. You are not a storage pit! Store for yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The light in us becomes darkness when we see wealth as a sign of God’s blessings; yet elevating it to a rival God competing with the God who has blessed you.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to always see material gifts as coming from God to be used for his purpose. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.