YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU!

There will not be a wagon following you on the way to Heaven… or Hell for that matter!

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;  For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Psalm 49:16-17

            I’ve heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you when you die”, many times. I’ve even said it many times myself. I have read Psalm 49 many times as well, but the other day this thought stuck out like a sore thumb! You can’t take it with you!

            Friend, no matter how rich you are, you can’t take your riches with you! You will not be loading your little red wagon pulling it behind you when you take your last breath! You won’t be able to make a withdrawal from the ATM! You won’t need any cash, debit cards, or a Visa! If you don’t repent and trust Jesus as your Saviour, you will just be wanted a cool cup of water and you won’t be able to buy one!

SAVE A BIT FOR THE LORD!

Money is an amoral instrument, and like science serves good and evil alike.  There's no such thing as dirty money; the stain is only on the hand that holds it as giver or taker. –Sullivan

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

During the Christmas Season it seems people are less likely to give unto the Lord as they normally would. What do they spend their money on? I’m not sure but maybe Christmas gifts, end of the year taxes, or maybe they finish paying of a business expense for another tax right off.

No matter what they spend it on, if they don’t give the Lord His tithe, it doesn’t please Him. We are still to give the tithe and if we don’t give it willingly, He will get it somehow. Maybe a trip to the Dr, the auto mechanic, or a phone call to your local HVAC Company could be a way He might get our attention.

I am reminded of this verse this morning: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

HOW ABOUT A BUDGET?

When we budget our (time, talents, and treasures) we can give more.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Proverbs 28:20

I often wonder about the man or woman who sets a priority on making a buck rather than making it to church. I believe they have their desires set in the wrong place, mainly on their bank account, material wealth, or pride in having a wallet full of cash to show friends.

Christian, I am often reminded of Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” You want to be able to send your kids to college, budget your tithe first and God will provide. You want to be debt free, budget your talents for God first and He will supply! You want to have the abundant life of peace; seek God first budgeting your time, talents, and treasures all for Him! If you do, you’ll have more to give to your kids, to the poor, to the Lord!

WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR MONEY?

One said to a minister who preached a sermon, after which there was to be a collection, "You should preach to our hearts, and then you would get some money."  The minister replied, "Yes, I think that is very likely, for that is where you keep your money." –Spurgeon

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

Money has been a problem for many a people for generations. The thought of getting more has split more homes than I care to talk about. More house, more clothes, more toys, more trips has added more debt into homes that become unsustainable and with those financial problems comes empty tables, absentee parents, eventually ending in divorce. All because someone’s money was their master instead of them mastering their money!

Keep money where it ought to be, under Biblical control. Just a quick reminder, He has entrusted it to us to use for His honor and glory, so use it such a way that happens!

WHAT DO YOU HAVE OR BETTER YET WHAT HAS YOU?

It's good to have money and the things money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy. –Lorimer

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

With riches comes security- not in the Lord but in the riches themselves. The riches begin to take over your life and before you know it, instead of the money working for you, you are working for the money. The money has you! What use to be a ministry is now nothing more than a job.

Friend, don’t let money be the driving force in your life. If you let this happen your joy will drift away and you will truly begin to work at work! 

A LITTLE MONEY IN MY POCKET…

Money is a good servant but a dangerous master.  –Bouhours

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Money is a tool in which we use to acquire things we need and/or want. Our money has been entrusted to us by the Lord to invest in things which matter. Money should not be our master, we should master our money.

How does one do that?

1. Be content with the things you have.—Do you really need a new couch or is it something you just want?

2. Be frugal with your money.—You don’t have to have name brand clothes, the skips will work for a while.

3. Be Biblical.—Do your best to only have the debt you need. There is no need to go in debt for food.

4. Put God first.—Your tithe should come out of your gross income before you pay anything else.

5. Be patient.—You don’t have to have everything now. You can make it another month without that new fishing rod.

With wise use of your money you may have a little money left in your pocket. With that you may be able to help a missionary, a family in need, or your church pave its parking lot.