“It is easy for money to become a distraction. Just the making and management of money alone takes effort and focus. Yet money becomes a subtle master if it is not held in check. We love what we think about, so if the majority of our waking moments are consumed by the thought of making more money, then we are distracted…If a life is consumed by money, then very little is left over for a life well spent. Time and energy for others become scarce in the wake of compulsive money making.
You may think that your current obsession with making money is for the long-term purpose of autonomy. This thinking is flawed, because the follower of Jesus Christ is never really autonomous…A life of unshackled leisure and self-indulgence is not on God’s radar. He may free you up to serve Him and others, but not to sit and soak. Too many options can be a distraction to God’s best. So how can you avoid money’s distraction?
By faith, regularly look into the loving eyes of Jesus. Let Him love you, and you will feel led to love Him. Money’s distraction is derailed by a love relationship with Jesus. When you love Him wholeheartedly, there is no room for money to distract. It is a love issue…You cannot love God and money at the same time. This is double-mindedness. Receive His love, and love Him, not money. Give generously, especially to the poor. Then you can enjoy your citizenship in His kingdom with community, accountability, and authentic love.”
Boyd Bailey, excerpt from “Wisdom Hunter” blog post for December 31, 2013.
If today’s meditation looked different it’s because after 1,673 days of faithful work, my Apple MacBook Pro crashed yesterday. I will be unable to post meditations to my website indefinitely. I am thankful that just one day earlier I completed final edits to a book you will hear about shortly. For now, at least I give thanks to God that most of my work since my last back up was emailed to people so I will be able to restore most of the data. On the eve of another trip and attending my academic awards in the UK this next weekend my meditations will look quite plain coming to you by way of my iPhone.