Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
(Philippians 4:11–12)
Even in a prosperous economy, most of us feel like nothing more than members of the debt set. So when somebody mentions that there is a way to strengthen our grip on money, we’re listening.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m in no way interested in promoting greed. We get enough of that in the mercenary jungle fighting on the job every day. And the flame of materialism is fanned anew each evening, thanks to the commercials that relentlessly pound their way into our heads. But even though we may get weary of that drumbeat, none can deny that money plays an enormous role in all our lives . . . even when we keep our perspective and steer clear of greed. As is often said, money cannot bring happiness—but it certainly puts our creditors in a better frame of mind.
I agree with the late heavyweight champ Joe Louis: “I don’t like money actually, but it quiets my nerves.”
To the surprise of many people, the Bible says a great deal about money. It talks about earning and spending, saving and giving, investing and even wasting our money. But in none of this does it ever come near to suggesting that money brings ultimate security. I love the proverb that paints this so vividly:
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4–5 NIV 1984)
Can’t you just picture the scene? Whoosh . . . and the whole thing is gone for good.
This is not to say that money is evil. Or that those who have it are wicked. Let’s once and for all put to bed the old cliché: “God loves the poor and hates the rich.” Nowhere does God condemn the rich for being rich. For sure, He hates false gain, wrong motives for getting rich, and lack of compassionate generosity among the wealthy. But some of the godliest biblical characters, even in today’s terms, were exceedingly prosperous: Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Josiah, Barnabas, Philemon, and Lydia, to name a few.
It has been my observation that both the prosperous and those without an abundance must fight similar battles: envy of others and greed for more.
The Scriptures clearly and frequently condemn both attitudes.
Taken from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
