Father, thank You for yesterday’s many blessings. I had a wonderful day with Karen. Thank you for watching over us and getting us safely home.

James 5:1-6 (<<click here)

After reading this passage and readying myself to write, two characters popped in my head – Scrooge and Fezziwig. These two beloved personalities from Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, for me, flesh out what the scripture is saying.

Lord, in and of itself, there is nothing inherently wrong with money or wealth. As with many things in life it has a lot to do with balance. And we cannot lose sight of Your commands. If we love You with the entirety of our being and we love others as ourselves, there will be balance.

I don’t believe Fezziwig was exorbitantly wealthy but he surely was a man of some means. He was wise in his use of his wealth but he was not self-absorbed. His love for others is evident. He controlled his wealth but his wealth did not control him.

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Money is not evil; the love of money is where trouble can begin. Our attitude toward money is the problem, not the money itself.

Lord, help me to be wise in my use of the many blessings You have given me. May I be able to provide for myself and my family  – may our needs be met. But may I also be generous with others as You have been generous with me. May my love for You and others be the driving force in all I do. Amen.

Oct 2nd, Sun, 5:47 am