I recently saw a headline: How Much Money Do You Need To Be Wealthy In America? The writer of this article probably was pleased with the number of readers and responses to this piece. Being wealthy, “living like the other side” and living like the rich and famous is always an appealing possibility to most people. Even though I was tempted to read the article, I didn’t. Money is the Goliath that challenges spiritual truth. The foundation of this country is rooted in dollars and cents. It’s based on an economy that rewards you for having financial means to take care of you, your family, and others when called upon. Your bank account contains a comfortable slice of the economic pie. You are a mortgage-carrying member of the “American Dream.” Your children attend a private school, and you own several material possessions that shout prosperity – luxury car, expensive jewelry, a boat, membership to an exclusive country club, et al. To accept a standard of truth, we need proof it is the real thing. We want convincing evidence we can reap long-term benefits from it, not weak or feel-good ups and downs. Money, according to economic standards, is a calculated truth. Anything that leads to accumulating money (job, business, stocks, bonds, investments) is evidence of this worldly truth. When we have abundance, all is well. We keep plugging away for money so our proof can stay real. There is no need to rely on spiritual truth because we are comfortable and have everything we need. But what happens when you don’t have money? For example, you become ill, you or your spouse are diagnosed with a terminal illness, your kids have to attend a public school, fire destroys your home and belongings, the stock market fails, or you lose your job or business. Do you stress out and lay awake trying to figure out how to get more money, or do you turn to the alternative choice…spiritual truth? You search your brain trying to find any logical reason to consider relying on this alternative without seeing proof of its existence. You can’t help but question its reliability since there is nothing verifying it is true. It seems hidden behind a tall mountain. But instead of going over the mountain, spiritual truth goes right through it. The answer to this seemingly impossible task is found in the heart. The heart is the center of mankind, both physically and spiritually. Unless you have a high tech medical scanning device, you can’t see the heart, but you have proof it is working because you are still breathing, standing, and thinking. Spiritual truth is found in the heart. Though not visible, it gives you a Divine personal connection which mere money is unable to equal or duplicate. Unlike money, genuine/spiritual truth does not shift positions; it remains constant. There is no competition, no luck, and no betting. All of the resources, long-term benefits, and fortune are promises of Divine favor. God knows everything about you, loves you forever and promises to never fail you or leave you in the junk pile. (Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5) He boldly declares and repeats those long-term benefits: success, prosperity, and health. (Joshua 1:8; 3 John 1, 2) So, why not change direction and choose to believe spiritual truth rather than worry. Let’s do a quick comparison: WORRY:
Money challenges spiritual/biblical truth. As Pavlov’s dogs were conditioned to salivate to the click of a musical device, we are conditioned to respond to strive for money and things. On the other hand, spiritual truth is believing that everything you need or ever will need has already been provided for you through His one-of-a-kind guarantee that lasts forever. If you embrace this reality, you will know who is telling the truth.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2024
Categories |