CenteredSample

More Valuable than Gold or Silver

When you look at the Bible, you may find that not many of its stories focus on rich people. If God’s own plans were governed by spreadsheets, you’d think Jesus would’ve surrounded Himself with rich dis­ciples who could fund His travels, not poor fishermen who couldn’t pay their taxes. Joseph’s family was rela­tively wealthy back in the day, but it was only when they were poor—when Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt begging for food—that they had a chance to see Joseph’s own amazing, miraculous story. Don’t misunderstand: God uses rich people too. But the poor have a chance to see God operate more power­fully and intimately. They lean on Him because they don’t have their own resources to use as a crutch. 

After retiring from the NFL, I thought I’d never be hurting for money again. I was wrong. I lost almost everything through circumstances beyond my control. 

I know what it’s like to have a big bank account. I know what it’s like to live a comfortable life. Those who follow a prosperity-gospel form of Christianity believe that God wants us to be comfortable and that He’ll provide us the means to find us that comfort. They think, Oh, I’m going to follow Jesus all the way to a comfortable life. But that’s not what Jesus says at all. He tells us, “Look, if you’re going to be My disciple, you’re going to have to measure the cost.” Even Jesus—the very Son of God—wasn’t comfortable in His time on earth. He wasn’t looking for comfort. He had a job to do. 

In the last several years, I’ve learned that having favor from God is worth more than gold and silver. Having that favor—having a real relationship with Him—is priceless, be­cause God is always batting a thousand. I’d never want to go back. I would much rather be in the position I’m in right now: praying to God every single day for my manna, praying for my daily bread. Because when my worldly blessings were gone, the floodgates of heaven were opened for miracles. Through it all, I learned I don’t need an abundance; just give me what I need. 

How does having less money than you think you need give you opportunities to trust God instead, for what you truly need?