Create Joy

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21 NIV)

Jesus talked an awful lot about money.  So why is it we are so uncomfortable with the subject in our own churches?  Maybe because money has such a tight hold on most of us in one way or another.

Maybe we don't have enough.  The bills aren't being paid and we are afraid to answer unidentified calls on our phone.  The kids keep growing out of their shoes and we can't keep up.  The vehicle charged with getting us to and from our inadequate job is threatening to retire itself.

Maybe we are pretty comfortable financially.  So we have to be careful.  We have to keep it locked up tight so nobody else knows exactly how much we have or worse... tries to take it from us.

It's a fact.  No matter where we are financially, money threatens to consume our thoughts and our hearts.  And Jesus knows it.  This is why he spoke about its dangers so often.  It is NOT a tactic to give our churches more money.  It is simply Jesus warning us about the most heinous form of bondage this world has to offer.

The scripture tells us that where our treasure is, is where our heart is.  I challange you to look back at 2 or 3  of your last bank statements.  If you have one of those cool bugeting apps, you can tell at a glance where your money is going and where your heart is.

Look at where our tax money goes (or sadly, doesn't go).  It shows where the heart of We, The People is.  It certainly isn't in education, even though we are fond of saying with our lips how important education is to the future of this country.  But we are killing it with our financial neglect.  No treasure there = no heart there.

God loves us no matter how much or little money we have.  And he loves us even if we have let money rule our hearts.  But he wants us to have a better life than that.  He wants money to be a tool to bring joy to our lives and the lives of others.  Look at your statements or your money apps.  How much goes for joy?

Lord God,
Help us to figure out this money thing.  May however little or much we have create joy all around us.  Amen.