About Money

How is it that some people never in their lives have to worry about money, while others have never been without the tight rein of financial limitation? For me, I suppose the anxiety began after my parents' divorce and the constant reminder that we only got $300 a month for child support. I remember very well the commodity cheese (it was very good), I think I remember vaguely the canned pork and/or the canned beef. I don't remember a whole lot more about it than that, only that it was very difficult being a single mom back then and difficult being in a broken home. That's what they called it back then. I guess it really doesn't matter why some people have money and some don't, but there does definitely seem to be two views of money in the world. And now I must insert that I have been watching true crime for most of the afternoon, having chosen it over watching my normal news programs. I can guarantee you that watching true crime on TV is definitely less painful than watching my normal news programs. The news is definitely depressing, disturbing and stressful on any given day, but especially, within the context of money, to which I am trying to circle back, because they are talking about a law that will determine how the government spends our money, which is a perfect seque to what I am wanting to write about today. Again, the question of basically why there are haves and have nots is not one that I can answer, but even if I could, what is more important is, how and why people react to it as they do and what can we do about it? Here's what I mean. Right now the country seems to be politically divided by people who are against capitalism and people who are for capitalism, that is, the democratic socialist party is out there trying to convince us that we should "tax the rich" and "spread the wealth." This is communism, and communism has never worked, and it never will, and yet, there are people today trying with all their might to make the USA a communist country. So, the two sides of the question are those who believe that in a free country we should be able to accrue money and own property and all that goes along with that. There is another side that does not believe rich people should be able to keep their riches. I am not sure how people rationalize this, but they do. I really did not want to make this about politics, and I am saying it is not about politics, but what I described is just what is happening in the political climate in which we are simmering. I do not want to try to convince anybody of anything other than about my belief in Jesus and the way I understand the world from the perspective I have as a Christian. And I don't even mean I want to convince anyone. I just want to present how I am dealing with it, and maybe some of what I say will resonate with you. If you are a believer, think for a minute about what the Bible says about money. I have heard teachers say that the Bible talks about money more than anything else. I am not sure I agree with that. Others say that Jesus taught more about hell than about anything else. I'm not sure that is accurate either, and I really can't say what Jesus taught the most about unless that would be coming to him because he is the way, the truth and the life, which is, of course, the most important thing he came to earth for. All I know is that socialism is not what the Bible teaches, and there are a lot of people who are trying to convince others that this is the case, and that if we are Christian we should let the government spend our tax money to provide healthcare for people who have entered our country illegally, for example, in the name of being Christian-like. I believe this is completely wrong. Here are the verses that come to mind in this context: The Bible says that "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). Jesus also said, "The poor you will always have with you" in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8. It's pretty clear that Jesus wanted us to help the poor, but he did say we should give our alms to the government so they could redistribute it to the poor. No, he didn't say that. Mainly, what is consistent in Scripture is that we should use our money as God directs, not give the government the authority to distribute our wealth as they choose. There is no indication of that in Scripture, and, no, Jesus was NOT a socialist, and the gospel is not socialist or communist, no matter what people might say about it. We are to be content with such things as we have, we are to pray and ask and be thankful for our daily bread, and we are to be content with food and clothing. So there you have it. Why are some people rich and some people poor? That's a question far too complex for me to address on a hot day in July, but I am reminded that all the money and all the "cattle on a thousand hills" belong to God, and you and I owe him everything, and he promises to provide everything that we need. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." And that concludes my thoughts about money for today.