Weekly Meditation
"...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:20-21)
Turn on the television here in the month of January and you will see commercials for gym memberships, home exercise equipment, and "miracle" weight-loss products and programs. Go to the store and you will find sales on closet organizers and storage bins of all shapes and sizes. Magazine cover stories are all about reducing stress, simplifying life, and seven steps to becoming a "better" you.
We all know the start of a new year is a time for a new start. Because of some strange quirk in the human psyche, midnight on January 1 is somehow different than midnight on July 1. July 1 is meh. January 1 is a whole new beginning where we focus on getting in shape, getting organized, and getting our lives in order.
All of this makes January a good time to think about money.
Yep, I said it. Money. You think religion and politics are taboo subjects at the family gatherings? Yeah, right. Bring up money.
"So, did you get a raise this year?"
"How are you coming on saving for your kid's college?"
"Do mom and dad really have enough set aside if something bad happens?"
Did any of these subjects come up as you gathered with friends and family over the holidays?
Jesus did not shy away from talking about money, wealth, and possessions. Why do you suppose that is? Could it be that even then money was a major roadblock in people's relationship with God? Could it be that even then people tried to rely on the promises of mammon more than the promises of God?
As those New Year's resolutions to get in shape and be a better person either take root or fall by the wayside, think about your relationship with money and stuff. Ask yourself if you spend more time thinking about and worrying about earthly treasures or heavenly treasures? Consider where your heart truly is, and where you truly want it to be.
Once we get our relationship with God and our relationship with money in the proper order, it will be a happy new year.
Comments