Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Following The Money Trail

Good morning my friends,

It has been an adventurous couple of weeks for me filled with great moments and many frustrations. The frustrations usually center around technology; it's great when it works but when it doesn't .... Anyway, I apologize for the number of days I have missed with the devotions. I prepared them but was unable to upload them.

This morning we continue our journey through Numbers, specifically looking at Balaam in numbers 23 and 24. This was a case of religion for hire. It is subtle so most people miss the whole point here but it was basically Balaam went where the money was. It can sometimes be the case today as well. Often churches will get involved in community projects and will receive money from the government for it. But when the money is gone the church drops the program. Sometimes it is not about faith and service but instead its all about money.

In this passion week we also find Jesus chasing out the merchants from the temple. A sacred place of prayer had turned into a money making opportunity. Jesus unleashed an anger that had not been shown against anyone else. It is hard for people to reconcile this image in their mind. Yet, God has told us that he is a jealous God. These people had set up a barrier to prevent people from enter into the temple if they could not pay, all for the opportunity to make money.

Most church programs and community programs start off with the best of intentions and there is little doubt they often have a great impact. However, when money is involved our motivation can be tainted. Many churches are desperate for money and will do most anything to survive. We begin to lose sight of God's will and the need for faith. God decides which things will continue and which will not. Yet, we mess around with that will because we are an intelligent people and we can always find a way to survive. We find it hard to let go but this does not bring honour and glory to God.

This is getting harder and harder for us to understand because we are back in the days of Babel and everything seems like a good idea. It seemed like a good idea to build the tower. It seemed like a good idea for Balaam to listen to the king. It seemed like a good idea to provide the animals for sacrifice for those who had to travel a distance. It always seems like a good idea but just because it seems like a good idea does not mean it is God's will.

For too long we have allowed the god of mammon to control our lives, the church and our actions. What we do should never depend on the amount of money we have. What we do should always depend on the Father's will. Perhaps it will not make any sense; it doesn't matter. Do what the Father wants and it will always turn out well.

May the Lord prove to be all you need for today.

9 comments:

jessika said...

We should always put our faith in God,because he is the only one who will always provide for us.

audrey said...

it' obvious its hard not to mix God things with money, because money is everywhere and we need it! .. we have to find the "juste milieu" or else we can fall into things that God did not intend for us to be in

Ray said...

first devotions in almost a week! at least my computer is working well enough to actually let me access it for now.... it's cool how the Old Testament and the New Testament reading sort of goes together... like today, there are both sort of about money...

Olivia said...

Yeah, technology is very frustrating when it doesn't work, but I think you're right. We are beginning to lose sight of God's will.

Brandon said...

We should do what the Lord wants. Thats also bad to not let people into the temple without paying. It like paying 1$ every time you pray(kinda like a pay-phone).

Naomi S. said...

Yay, another devotions! And don't worry, your apology is accepted.:P I find technology isn't only frustrating when it doesn't work. Money, it's all about the money for some people, well, a good deal of people, well....most people... Anyway. I never thought of it that way, that Balaam did it for the money. I guess I should pay more attention to these things...

sasha said...

Thecnologie is very hepful but whan it doesn't work thats bad.

Stephen said...

well the technology does work MOST of the time..and yea I think we should concentrate on what God wants more than we do

Kendall said...

I dont think that the people set up a barrier in God's temple to block any body but maybe because they knew that a lot of people go to the temple to pray and they just boosted up there sales but then it got out of control. I beleive that it started with one person and then other people started coming until it looked like a crowded flee market.( people shoving and pushing, having auctions and so and so forth)