My Hope is Not in Dollars

Photo by Live Richer on Unsplash

​Because of inflation I have become like those of my grandparent’s generation who would say things like “I remember when I could buy a coke for a nickel.”  I can remember buying a bag of Funyuns for $3.70 in 2021 instead of $5.50 today, or a 18 count box of Poptarts for $3.00 in 2021, now costs $5 (I checked my grocery receipts from 2021)!  These facts are very frustrating. Looking at your grocery receipts or your electric bill can be a bit depressing.
 
In our world we need money! To obey scriptures such as 1 Timothy 5:8 we must have money! 
 
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV
 
But along with money comes very dangerous temptations.
 
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."  1 Timothy 6:10 ESV
 
In 2024, with the economy we find ourselves in, there can be a temptation to be overly concerned about money.  As Christians, we often tell each other to “give it to the Lord” when there is some type of trial or concern.  I want to encourage you to “give it to the Lord” and I mean your money and everything! Romans 12:1 tells us to “present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” When the Bible says “to present your bodies” here, it is telling us to present the entirety of ourselves to God.  As in, give every part of who you are, and what you have to the Lord. Write a blank check with all you are and with all you have to the Lord. What He wants from you, give to Him! If that sounds scary remember the promise of God in Romans 8:32.
 
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 ESV
 
The Lord will provide our needs! So let us live openhanded to the Lord, giving to Him whatever He requires from us whenever He requires it! Let us leverage all that the Lord has given us for the sake of His Kingdom! Invest your time, energy, and money into eternal things! 
 
We are rich in the United States. God has blessed us so very much. The average annual household income in the World is $12,235 compare to $70,930 in the United States (https://www.zippia.com). Sometimes it’s hard to see how well off we are because we compare ourselves to those around us as opposed to those in other countries around the world.  But the Lord has blessed us greatly and we as American Christians need to always remember what the Lord says to us in 1 Timothy 6:17.
 
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
1 Timothy 6:17 ESV
 
We cannot let money be hope. Our riches are uncertain. Consider how quickly the value of our dollars have dropped in just a few years. As Christians the Lord is our hope! He has given us so much by sending the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth to suffer and die for our sins. He loves us! He cares for us! He will provide for us!
 
Next time you take out some cash to pay for something flip over the bill, no matter whether it’s a one, five, ten, twenty, fifty, or one hundred dollar bill, across the middle you will see “In God We Trust” (On the two dollar bill it is in the middle at the bottom in smaller print). Our national motto is an incredible reminder that God is our Hope! This piece of paper may fail but the God who created the heavens and the earth will never fail!