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ODB Message

“For Love or Money”

By

Bill Crowder

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. Luke 12:15

Read Luke 19:1–10

Irish poet Oscar Wilde said, “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.” Oscar Wilde however lived till the age forty-six. Money is temporary; it comes and it goes. So life must be about more than money and what it can buy. 

Jesus challenged the people of His generation—rich and poor alike—to a recalibrated value system. He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 

In our culture, where there’s an abiding focus on more and newer and better, there’s something to be said both for contentment and for perspective about how we view money and possessions.

Upon meeting Jesus, a rich young ruler went away sad because he had many possessions he didn’t want to give up (see Luke 18:18–25), but Zacchaeus the tax collector gave away much of what he’d spent his life acquiring (Luke 19:8). The difference is embracing the heart of Christ. 

In His grace, we can find a healthy perspective on the things we possess—so they don’t become the things that have us.

PONDER- What can’t you live without? Why? Is it something that lasts forever, or just for a moment?

PRAY- Father, give me Your wisdom that I might keep the things of life in the right perspective—and have a value system that reflects eternity, In Jesus name, amen.

-Modified for our readers by Tina Love Foundation.

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TLF💚

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