Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Godmoney

Jesus said: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” This means that you cannot come here clutching at idols in your wallet in your back pocket, your purse or mentally fondling the numbers of certain bank accounts, salary statements or the results of last week’s stock exchange. But you may say, I don’t have any money, I barely have enough to pay all my bills. How could I possibly be serving money; I barely have any. You bow before god money when it consumes your thoughts and worries. The litany of homage to god money is: how am I going to pay this bill? How are we every going to afford that? If only we made this much. If only my husband had this job. How come they have this, that and that other thing! That’s so expensive, that’s so expensive; that’s so expensive. I can’t afford that. Stop it now. Mammon is an idol, and it is just as lifeless and powerless to save as the paper it is printed on, the metals it is minted with and as ethereal as the internet huffing and puffing of numbers and values. The Triune God is our savior; he is our deliverer; he is our rock and stronghold. Perhaps God has blessed you with much, then give thanks and be content. Perhaps God has blessed you with little, then give thanks and be content. Homage to god money begins with worry and discontent about finances. And where you are concerned, cast your cares upon God, because He cares for you. He cares for you. And those bits of paper and metal are lifeless and dead. They do not care for you. So be consumed with the power and majesty of the Triune God who is mighty to save. And repent of your worry, discontent, and greed. As we go to confess our sins this morning, I want to encourage you to particularly consider these particular sins and I exhort you to lay these down at the feet of your Master and ask Him to replace them with faith, gratitude and a deep contentment.

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