“Money Problems”
EPISODE 14
Avoid the Pursuit of Materialism
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Goldilocks was a young girl who broke into the home of a family of bears while they were away and ate their porridge, sat in their chairs, and slept in their beds. She found the porridge either too hot or too cold. She found the chairs either too small or too big. She found the beds either too hard or too soft. Rejecting these extremes, she settled for the options that were “just right.” What a picky little home invader!
So now let’s talk about money. We might all agree that a homeless person on the street corner has money problems, but have you ever stopped to consider that the wealthiest person on earth has money problems too? We all struggle with money in different ways, from those living in poverty to those living in luxury. As a deathbed request to God, a man named Agur asked that he would experience neither extreme in the financial spectrum, but only receive what he needs to live.
“... give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8-9).
Not Poverty
God doesn’t want us to lack what we need. When the people of Israel were hungry in the wilderness, God didn’t turn a blind eye to them. Instead, he showered them with bread from heaven. After all, he was leading them to a land of riches, flowing with milk and honey, so wouldn’t it make sense that he’d provide for them along the way? Don’t worry when you’re going through times of lack since God has promised to provide for you if you’re willing to seek him first (Matt. 6:25-34)!
Not Riches
God doesn’t promise to make us wealthy beyond imagination. When God showered down manna on Israel, they weren’t allowed to gather more than they could eat that day. If they tried to collect more than that, they woke up the next day to find it spoiled and moldy. If you find yourself in a time of prosperity, remember that your wealth is not your own. Look around for opportunities to help those in need with the gifts you’ve been given (Luke 12:48; Matt. 19:21).
Only What Is Needed
God gives us what we need and provides for us daily. He was teaching his people humility and reliance on him in the wilderness, as Moses explained, “... he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, … that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3). What do you need that God hasn’t provided? More than all our material possessions, he has given us his Son, who has already taken care of our greatest need: the forgiveness of our sin!
Let us find true contentment in him and avoid the constant pursuit of material gain or the nagging worries of financial lack.
