As inflation makes life increasingly expensive, my husband, Doug, and I find ourselves saying frequently, “It’s only money.” As it becomes more expensive to travel, we remind ourselves the relationships with people we care about are more important than the cost to maintain them. Though it has become more expensive to contribute spaghetti sauce and bottled water to a local charity, the need remains. Though vitamins and heathy food choices cost more than they did, good health is still a worthy goal. After all, it is only money.
The Bible has much to say about money. Riches won’t help you in the day of judgment. Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. (Proverbs 11:4, 22:1, Psalm 62:10)
Jesus warns us about the deceitfulness of riches. He said we should be on our guard against all kinds of greed, because life does not consist of the abundance of things. He told the parable of the rich fool who accumulated vast wealth and focused his attention on building bigger barns to store it for himself, only to find his life at its end. Jesus said this is how it will be for whoever stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.
In his book, “When the Game is over, It all Goes Back in the Box,” John Ortberg compares life with the game of Monopoly. No matter how many properties and hotels one accumulates, at the end of the game, it all goes back in the box. Likewise, whatever we accumulate in terms of this world’s wealth, when life is over we lay it down. What matters then are the things that have eternal value.
Money is a tool. It is useful and necessary for us to function in this world, but is not wise to let it rule our lives. Jesus said we cannot have two masters. He said we cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. If our primary focus is to earn as much money as we can, money becomes a god. Such a “god” sets us up for disillusionment and disappointment. Money cannot buy happiness. It cannot secure for us eternal life.
The apostle Paul reminds us, Godliness with contentment is itself great wealth . . . We brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it . . . People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil . . . Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11.
God may bless us with some of this world’s wealth, but He cautions us throughout the Bible to keep it in perspective. We should be grateful for what He gives. He has given us much to enjoy in life. But He has also given us purpose. We don’t need to wear ourselves out accumulating wealth. If we pursue wealth, it can disappear in a moment. If we seek Him and His kingdom, and freely share what we have, God has promised to provide for our needs.
So, as life becomes more expensive, when Doug and I are tempted to lose sight of what is really important, we remind ourselves, “It is only money.”
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT
Blessings,
Phyllis
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Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer
What a great reminder! Thank you Phyllis. Hope you are having a great summer! 🩷
Thank you, Holly. Summer is great.
Phyllis, thanks for a meaningful perspective for all of us. Good points. Money sometimes represents one’s skills and work energy—yet all aspects of life are meant to glorify God. Since we are travelers on earth
— all belongings & wealth will eventually “go back in the box.”
Thank you, Charlotte.
How true!