I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay; Ain’t it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me; That’s too bad
In my dreams I have a plan If I got me a wealthy man
I wouldn’t have to work at all, I’d fool around and have a ball
A recent study last year by Paragon Bank revealed that a British person will think about their finances 4 times a day for a total of 28 minutes. This equates to 170 hours a year which is a whole week. So across a whole life the typical Brit will spend one entire year of it thinking about money.
Some of you reading this will roll your eyes and think how cheery this devotion is today! Others will nod their head and agree that their mental health is suffering because of such anxiety.
Often we do not seek help until the lack of money is crushing our minds and situation.
We actually need help on the rise upwards with money before any decline.
In The Testament of Judah, ancient Jewish texts from the patriarch’s last words to his children, he says these words, “My children, the love of money leads to idols; because, when led astray through money, men make mention of those who are no gods, and it causes him who has it to fall into madness. For the sake of money I lost my children…” (The Testament of Judah 19).
How sad. Many have lost family and friends for the sake of money. When this has happened it is easy to realise that money has a life all of its own. Jesus says this:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6 v 24)
In this section of the sermon there has been 2 treasures, 2 eyes and now 2 masters.
The word ‘serve’ is doulos which is more an exclusive serving like a slave to their owner.
Who is the master? Who is bringing order into your life? Who truly leads you? God or Money?
To serve money is to abandon the frugal lifestyle of a previous generation perhaps in favour of realising it is money that will give a better life even if it means carrying a whole lot of debt.
To serve money means I will feel respected and valued once I have more.
To serve money can also mean you are fearful of not having it so are not generous.
To serve money is to truly believe you will never have enough. In the words of Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales:
Bob the Tomato: “Larry, how much stuff do you need to make you happy?”
Larry the Cucumber: “I don’t know. How much stuff is there?”
If you are in debt then seek help to get out of it as soon as possible.
If you are desiring money then bring it under the lordship of Jesus.
If you have money then be generous and help others.
A man like that is hard to find but I can’t get him off my mind; Ain’t it sad
And if he happens to be free I bet he wouldn’t fancy me; That’s too bad
So I must leave, I’ll have to go; To Las Vegas or Monaco
And win a fortune in a game, my life will never be the same
Money, money, money
Must be funny; In the rich man’s world
Money, money, money
Always sunny; In the rich man’s world
Aha aha
All the things I could do; If I had a little money; It’s a rich man’s world
Missions Paul 