Money: October 17, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17, 2012.

MONEY

DEFINITION:

Any circulating medium of exchange; means of payment; measure of wealth.

SCRIPTURE:

"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." I Timothy 6:10

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

A recent survey taken in America asked the question: "What is your greatest desire in life?" Over 74% said money.  The sad thing about this survey was that only 14% listed having a happy family relationship. Probably most concerning was that only 6% wanted to have God in their lives. This is a strong reminder and a real indication that money has become the "god" for many people in America. These people are convinced that money can buy happiness, success and popularity.

People that have money and have acquired success and popularity soon realize that it is not the source of happiness. Money will only bring happiness if it is used to honor God.

It is important for us to realize that it is the LOVE OF MONEY that is the root of all kinds of evil. Timothy tells us in I Timothy 6:10 (above) that not money itself, but the love of money leads to greed. Greed leads to an all consuming desire to get rich by any and all means. People can be so driven by their love for money that they will steal, cheat and participate in all manner of evil things. Timothy warns the believers that the love of money can cause them to stray from their faith and bring on sorrow in their lives. Having money is not the problem; it is how we use it and the importance we attach to it.

We believe that God blesses some people with money because He knows that they will use it for His glory.  We have shared with you in the past about our dear friend of some years ago, Lawrence Young. This man was a wonderful example for us and we learned many important life principles from him. No one really knew for sure how wealthy he was but he and his wife were very well off financially. They lived humble and unpretentious lives. Their desire was not for material things of this world. Their desire was to serve the Lord using the blessings God gave them.

Several times he invited me (Ken) to drive with him so we could talk about our mission and its needs. As he collected rent money on his many pieces of property, he would give advice and counsel that was always valuable. His business counseling and tutoring assisted me in making wise and good decisions later in life.

He converted an old school bus into his "CAMPER" which he used to take his 7th grade Sunday school kids on outings. He taught 7th grade Sunday school at Hollywood Presbyterian Church for well over 40 years and never missed a year taking "his kids" camping.  He owned a printing press and did the printing for literally scores of Christian ministries at his cost and many times at no cost to the ministry.

At World Opportunities, the missionary organization we helped establish in 1961, needed warehouse space. We shared this need with him and several weeks later he found just the right building to meet our needs. He not only found the building but he and his wife gave the necessary funds as a loan to purchase the building. God honored these dear people with money and they used what God gave them for His glory.

As you can see, God blessed Lawrence and Ruth with money and this is the ministry that God entrusted to them. They were faithful stewards and by their overwhelming generosity, honored God with what God had blessed them with. We witnessed that down through the years the more they helped ministries the more God blessed them.

Lawrence Young is a great example for each of us, reminding us that when God blesses one with money He expects it to be used for His glory. Mr. and Mrs. Young lacked for nothing and because they honored God, He continued to pour His blessings upon them. If they had lived for the love of money, the scripture tells us that would be the beginning of evil things that would not be of God.

God does not bless us all with financial wealth but He does bless us in so many other ways. God does not promise to give us what we want but what we need. We have not been blessed with financial wealth but God has blessed us with certain abilities, talents and time that He has given to us to use to serve Him. All along the way He has supplied our every need because we have tried to be faithful to Him. God is faithful and will reward those that honor Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 8:32:

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

PRAYER:

Thank You for guiding me and my family in the use of the money You bless us with. Keep us from allowing money and wealth to be our all consuming goal in life. Keep our eyes on You so that our desire will be to store up treasure in heaven rather than treasures here on earth.