Reflections for Father's DaySample

Money or Trust?

As a non-Christian, sadly I invariably judged people by the wealth they held, not by their values.

C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, said that one of the dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied with the kinds of happiness money can give, and so fail to realise your need for God. I was, unfortunately, comfortable living like this, until my new-found Christian faith challenged my ‘love’ of money.

I have always worried if I had enough, so I confess today to living with a measure of double mindedness. It’s not love of money that demands my close attention; rather, it’s my uncertainty over the degree to which I am to take personal responsibility for securing the money I need both today and for my family.

This is my struggle. It’s not necessarily yours and so don’t make it so. Yet, we each have a responsibility to have a light hold on money, especially when it comes to replacing our trust in God with trust in wealth. God tells me my future is safe with him, yet I want to determine the conditions of that future so that I am psychologically safe. God says, “No way!” - for the issue is trust.

Are you satisfied with what you have?

Prayer

Dear Lord, I choose to put my trust in you and not in money. My confidence is in your goodness and not the depth of my pockets. In his name, Amen.