1 Minute Daily Devotions
April 4, 2008
Money. . .Slave Or Master
"It is more blessed to give than receive." - Acts 20:35
In the book, Days of Grace, Arthur Ashe shares his philosophy about money. He says, "From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." What a great perspective on money. The focus is on giving rather than on getting, and that makes all the difference.
As long as our focus is on getting all we can, canning all we get, and sitting on that can, we're slaves to our money. Our happiness depends on how much we have. On the other hand, when we view money as a tool for accomplishing good, it becomes our servant. That attitude frees us to use money as God intended--to provide for our needs, but also to do good for others.
Jesus addresses the bottom line: "You cannot serve God and money." How about it? Are you the master of your money, or is your money your master? Master or slave? The choice is yours.
Comments on this Devotion
From Jerry on Apr 4th:
Amen, this is very good.
From Janice on Apr 4th:
This is a good devotion that brings up a question I have or a challenge that I feel. There are so many worthwhile Christian ministries that I want to support financially but since I have a limited supply of money to give I have a hard time deciding which to support and which to pass on. Does anyone have advice they could share about how to make this type of decision?
From Hal on Apr 4th:
I've been broke before and I've had money before. Right now I spell it BRK because I don't have money to buy a vowel.
The pain is that I cannot help people I know who are in need. The best way to help the poor is not be one of them.
From julie on Apr 4th:
God blesses some more than others, we all know that and we all need to hear these devotions on money and how God intended us to manage it.I am blessed with the necessities of life, with four children and a very hard working husband. God is always faithful to provide and HE never stops amazing me. We cannot give money, but we can give ourselves, our time and our prayers and those things are as meaningful as giving money. Stop doing what you are doing if a friend needs you,pray for those even less fortunate than you. God sees all these things and you will be blessed by Him. Don't put money first, put Jesus first!
From Becky on Apr 4th:
Jonathan if you are still lurking I left you one last comment on the America seeking spirtuality devotion from April 2. Please read it. God bless
From FCE on Apr 4th:
Janice, you asked about how to determine a ministry to donate to, and I would first like to say that you should have a heart for that ministry. It seems there are a lot of us that spend a great deal of time on this site reading, commenting, and sharing, why not give to Right From The Heart. That's what I do, but only you can decide whom to support. Pray about it and see where God leads you.
From Jerry on Apr 4th:
Janice,
The first thing you need to do is make sure you are tithing to YOUR HOME CHURCH. After this then pray and ask God to direct your heart and then send to where he directs. I agree since you enjoy this site then consider sending some to this ministry. God bless you and I pray He will direct you.
From Janice on Apr 4th:
Thank you, FCE and Jerry, for answering my question. Because I have supported some very worthy ministries in the past but also want to be more supportive of RFTH and other ministries I have become aware of more recently I feel pulled between doing one good thing or another good thing. You are right that I need to totally give it over to God to direct me. I just needed to hear that from some other believers. Thanks for your support.
From GAYLE GREEN on Apr 16th:
It is good to be able to have money so, many people like my self do not have it but the people with less are the one,s that real know what money mean and we are to help some one that have less then we do . To have and not to have, money will get what you want to by when you have it , but get with out it and see what you will have .