God and/or Money

Dear Friend,

I like words. I am totally in love with them, they frame my life. This morning I was mediating and this scripture came to my mind. When I study a scripture, I need to know all the meanings of the Word before I can really meditate on money. Today's word in my spirit was mammon.

King James Version

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

I am sharing this in the King James Version, because the other translations, say that you can’t serve God or money, but I think it’s important to note what is being said here, especially because Jesus is speaking. Let’s define, mammon. The 1828 Noah’s Webster defines mammon, MAM'MON, noun Riches; wealth; or the god of riches. So Jesus isn’t just saying, don’t serve God and money, he is referring to Mammon, the God of riches. He states you are going to either hate one and love the other, but there is no way you can do both. Mammon and Money are not duplicative, (of the same). We need money, there is use for money, but at what point does it become your God? So let’s, define God as a verb transitive, it becomes our God when we deify (To make a god; to exalt to the rank) it (money). When we began to rank it, above and before God. When we think that it’s the solution to all our problems. When we think that it’s all we need and we are going to be so much better.

Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

So then the question I had to ask myself is, do I think of money as the solution? Or do I have the understanding that it (money) comes from the solution (God)? And perhaps, if i think it’s the solution, then I will deify (exalt) it, I will see it as the solution instead of realizing that it comes from the solution (God). Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33, to seek the Kingdom (The power of supreme administration. see 1 Samuel 18.) and nothing else.

Friend, can I be honest I had to repent. I started thinking about all the times that I had been praying for money, and there is nothing wrong with putting your needs or request before God. We need money, but we need it for Kingdom. When I lay this request before God it has to be for Kingdom and nothing else. Can I tell you friend, I had to sit in this for a moment. I had to ask God for forgiveness, I am sorry for seeking you for vain selfish, things, what I should have been asking you for, was for more of your Kingdom in my life.

Go back and read ALL of Matthew 6 when you have time, there is an overall theme, make “the” Kingdom agenda (I’m paraphrasing) to love God, with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself is your only priority. So when I love money or deify (make it God) money, it will take the place of God. I will begin to think that money is the solution to everything, when in all actuality, I need more God, I need more Kingdom.

Friend, this is rich. Let’s reflect a minute. When the blessings come, when the situations change, these are a result of us seeking Kingdom, not our good works and not our work efforts. We have to make sure we understand this. If not, we will began to deify money and it is mammon or God. We have to make sure we don’t forget the Lord thy, God who brings you the wealth (see Deuteronomy 6:11).

Frienddddd, I don’t know about you, but I needed this. I needed to reflect on this, I needed to be more mindful, that as seasons change that I have NO other God, before Him. That as things are being added to me, that I am reminded not to “deify” it, it’s only a result of God’s Kingdom in my life. But even if I didn’t have it (money) or see it, would I still not have Kingdom? Of Course I would, let’s end with this!

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? - Matthew 6:26

When we worry over money, we deify it, we treat it like the solution. When it comes from “the” solution. Wow! I don’t know about you personally, but I don’t want anything before God. NO thing, I need Him more than I need anything else. I love how the Holy Spirit, rearranges our thinking, how He (The Holy Spirit) is transforming us into the image of Christ. Jesus never prayed and talked about money, as a matter of fact He told us, don’t store up our treasures in this earth (see Matthew 6:19).

Father forgive us for storing up our treasures in other places, losing our priorities, when we need to treasure you above everything else.

Re-Arranging My Life for Christ,

LMJ