In God We Trust.
The phrase first appeared on the two cent coin in 1864. Then in 1956 a joint resolution of congress made it our national motto. By the 1960’s it was on all our coins and bills.
I’m glad it’s there. Unfortunately, making it a motto doesn’t necessarily mean it is the truth about us.
That seems to be Jesus’ concern when He reduces our heart’s allegiance to two choices: You cannot serve God and money.
I would expect God to be one of the choices – and the obvious right choice! What surprises is that money is the other one.
I would have expected Him to say, you cannot serve God and the devil. Or even, God and yourself!
As always, the Teacher is right. It’s God or money alright.
Only money seems to directly offer the promise of security that rivals what service to God alone can ultimately provide.
I am tempted every day to think if only I have enough money all my needs can be met. Food, clothes, shelter, education, health care, retirement!
It’s true. We all need money to live. But there will be a time when only the treasure we have stored in heaven will matter to us. The Teacher wants us to plan ahead.
Wouldn’t it be ironic, if we had wallets and purses full of In God We Trust, but none in our hearts?
Thanks Denny, for putting your finger on the need to learn what's important, and it is NOT money. I personally think this is why God has sent this financial crisis to the whole world. What better way for us to realize WHO is in charge, WHAT is important, and in WHOM do we really trust? Thanks for pointing us to Jesus, who indeed is the teacher.
ReplyDeleteJan Antonsson
Most of us have experienced them at some point - if not dealt face to face, we’ve heard from a distance away: the braggart. The one who talks better than he walks. The one who, maybe as in sports, tries to puff himself up and “get in the head” of his opponent. I played competitive sports on different occasions, and I tried to adopt the idea that I would “let my play do my talking.” Even when people would try to get me to say how “good” I was, I’d say, “watch how I do.”
ReplyDeleteAnd those that do the bragging - aren’t they annoying. Especially if you are in a situation where your play is incredibly better than theirs, yet there they go, spouting off and showing off.
Imagine Jesus walking through Jerusalem and seeing the hypocrites praying on the street corners, or walking around moping, faces disfigured so it is obvious that they are fasting. Hypocrites, actors, braggarts! People pretending to be more righteous than they are.
The Teachers says, let your righteousness be evident to God, not man.
If we live lives following the Teacher, God will see our deeds. When we do our acts of righteousness, or acts of worship, or good deeds to shine God’s light through us, then God sees, and He rewards us, and we store up treasures in heaven. By whom would you rather be rewarded, God or man?