Money Is Not The Root Of All

MONEY IS NOT THE ROOT OF ALL      

By Pastor Dorothy Wilcox

            We are very thankful to be blessed with tremendous help from the Synod as we struggle with our own use of money.  The Synod is not solving our problem, but is giving us some support while we develop in our faith practices and grow as disciples.  Their gift gives us time to learn and grow.

We will all be invited to dig deeper in our faith and grow as disciples in many ways over the next year, and specifically to share our blessings.  That latter focus will begin with the Synod’s help in the next few weeks and months.  Their gift gives us resources.

Our blessings always come from God, and sometimes God uses others to channel those blessings.  “We are blessed to be a blessing to others” to paraphrase God’s blessing to Abraham.  The Synod’s gift gives us hope, and faith, and an example.

 

Let me share some quick quotes and thoughts about money.  The italics are my comments.

***Research indicates that most households tend to spend 10 percent more than their income, no matter what the income level. Source Unknown

Nobody thinks they have “extra” money.

***According to a Gallup survey, almost half the total charitable contributions in the US come from households with incomes of less than $30,000.    Reported in The Other Side, quoted in Discipleship Journal, Issue 53, 1989, p. 20

Everybody can give:  everyone has something to offer.

***Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.           Source Unknown

It is a mistake to allow money to be the scorekeeper for your life.

***There are two ways in which a Christian may view his money “How much of my money shall I use for God?” or “How much of God’s money shall I use for myself?”

W. Graham Scroggie           The faithful remember that Everything comes from God and belongs to God; we are the managers.

                   ***Money will buy a bed but not sleep;

books but not brains;

food but not appetite;

finery but not beauty;

a house but not a home;

medicine but not health;

luxuries but not culture;

amusements but not happiness;

religion but not salvation;

a passport to everywhere but heaven.

The Voice In the Wilderness, quoted in Discipleship Journal, Issue 53, 1989, p. 21