December 5: Insight Post by Michael Thayer
Weekly Reading: Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 18:18-23
Friday Reflection
The Dangers of Wealth: Jesus cautioned that wealth can be a barrier to entering the Kingdom of God, as it can lead to reliance on material possessions rather than on God. The Rich Young Ruler’s wealth held him back from fully committing to Christ.
Friday Verse
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NLT)
Friday Questions
How does my relationship with wealth and material possessions affect my spiritual life? Am I placing my trust in God or in my resources?
Friday Insight Post
by Michael Thayer
Being able to really dig into important topics such as this in a safe space with others who are walking with God and with each other through the challenges and opportunities of life is a blessing and invaluable. I highly recommend that you check out and join a small group that would work for you.
The wisdom of our verse for the day is clear:
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NLT)
Isn’t that true? While I want to honor the agreed-upon small group value of “What is said in small group, stays in small group,” some of our discussion has been around the brief and temporary nature of the positive feelings we have after purchasing something new that is a want and not a need. And how soon after a purchase do we want more, or move on to the next thing? Never satisfied or satisfying.
During the videos Andy challenged us to first use the money God has entrusted us to Give, to Save and then to Live, in that order of priority. It was this principle that led Jesus to tell the wealthy man that if he wanted to be perfect, he should give away his wealth and come follow Him. While it may not be the case for all of us, I think Jesus knew that the wealth the man clung to was the thing holding him back from truly following and serving the Lord. Putting God first in our finances also helps position us to let God work through us to help each other if we experience a period of financial need. Putting God first also with our finances also helps our church through our tithes and offerings, as well as through our giving during the recent Christmas Market fundraiser and other efforts to support Feed My Starving Children, the Bryant Center, and the Lorton Community Action Center, to name just a few. (Thank you!)
Our small group conversation around how we can think of and use our money in a way that honors God has challenged me to refocus on this important area of my faith and commitment to God. It has also been really helpful to have the collective experience, knowledge, and support of others who are doing their best to walk their walk of faith, just as Jesus called the wealthy man to do when He essentially asked him not to allow his wealth to be a barrier to his truly following Christ.
Michael Thayer
Leadership Team Member
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org