“Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.
When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
– Proverbs 23:4-5
Money can certainly be a good thing. Whatever we have is a blessing from God and a stewardship for us to manage on His behalf. We’re responsible for using all that we have well, responsibly, and for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom. Money is generally necessary to fulfill our biblical responsibilities to those in our care. However, when money becomes the major focus of our time, thought, energy, and effort we have a major problem!
The Bible doesn’t say that money is evil or that we shouldn’t have money. But if we’re toiling to pile up wealth – working, sweating, and scheming to get more and more money – we have a major problem with our priorities. See, money isn’t eternal. God gives it and He can take it away. Money certainly won’t be meaningful to us after our death. Therefore, while we’re to work, spend, and save responsibly we must pour our lives into what’s eternal.
We must devote our energy and effort to making disciples. To teaching and nurturing those souls in our sphere of influence. To sharing our faith with those who don’t know Jesus. To loving God and loving neighbor. Take a step back and look at how you spend your time and energy. What do you spend the best part of your time thinking about?
If you’re constantly thinking about money and how to get more of it or if you’re working so many hours most weeks that you’re neglecting your family, compromising your spiritual life, and have no time left to pour into others, “be discerning enough to desist.”