Finances or God -Which Comes First?

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV)

This is poignant advice, especially since the theme of Isaiah 7-9 gave the same type of advice over 2700 years ago.  Wealth is not wrong, nor is the desire to save for retirement. Investing wisely is a biblical principle and the Proverbs have much to say about it. Yet, we should not allow ourselves to trust this more than God, or to become "a god" to us. In this, worry is a warning light. Every time you worry about your finances, it's a warning that you doubt that God loves you and will take care of you. We always get into trouble when we doubt God's love. Always. Jesus taught in Matt.6:33, “But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you."

Your bank account is not your security, no matter how big it gets and to put our hope in or to trust that it will always be there or always see me through is a false hope and distraction from God. This is what Paul was writing Timothy about in 1 Tim.6:17. The truth is, is that everything we have is God's and it all belongs to Him. We are simply stewards of what God has provided and need to learn wisely how to use what God has provided. But, we should not lose sight that it is God who gave it to us and without Him, we have nothing.

As long as you love anything more than God, that thing is going to be a source of anxiety. There was one thing meant for first place in your life, and it's not your family, your finances, your livelihood or whatever.  Anything you put first in your life and comes before God will create anxiety, because that thing can always be lost.  Put your hope in God, because he will assume responsibility for your needs if you'll trust him.

• Is there anything that you love more than God? 
• Is your answer obvious to everyone else by the way you live your life? What do they see you putting first in your life?
• What do you find yourself becoming anxious over?
• In times of economic recession or financial need, in what or whom do you put your hope?

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Jim