MORE THAN MONEY CAN BUY

“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8-9 (NIV)

I vividly remember a Sunday afternoon when I was about eight years old. I was in my bedroom, counting the money in my piggy bank. After stacking all the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, I used pen and paper to figure out the grand total. As soon as I finished, I ran to the living room to announce my wealth to my father.

“Dad, you won’t believe how much money I’ve saved!” I exclaimed.

“How much?” he asked, a smile on his face.

“Seven dollars and thirty-four cents!”

It was the most money I’d ever had in my hot little hands, and I was so happy. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for me to figure out there wasn’t much I could get for less than eight bucks.

It also didn’t take long for me to learn that the best things in life really are free. Oh, at times it doesn’t seem that way.

When I admire my friend’s massive, new flat-screen TV, or dream about that perfect vacation, or new car, or bigger house… then I look at the bank account and realize my “dreams” do not match our budget… I doubt that premise.

But when doctors diagnosed my sister with cancer, believe me, I wasn’t praying for a new TV.

Norwegian playwright Henrik Isben said it perfectly…

“Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you the food, but not the appetite; medicine, but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants, but not loyalty; days of happiness, but not joy.”

This week, I encourage you to take time to thank God for the best things in your life—the things that are important, eternal, life-giving, and free. And as the writer of the Proverbs so wisely prayed, ask God to give you just enough money to cover your needs, but not so much that you no longer feel the need for Him.

THINK ABOUT IT…

  • What does this devotional reveal to me about God?

  • What does this devotional reveal to me about myself?

  • Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

  • What is my prayer for today?

Click here to find answers to find more encouragement and resources.