Our Hope and Confidence

By Stewart Whittemore

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (money).” Matthew 6:24

Many are suffering financially in these difficult times. Probably those who have lost their jobs, and my fellow retirees, feel this downturn in the financial markets the worst. Regardless of where the problem lies the real question should be; where should our hope and confidence be?

My hope and confidence, as I have learned through many difficulties, "comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 I don't say this to offer platitudes for our situation, because it is serious. But I offer this verse as a proven means of Help that I have depended on.

Also, during my reading one morning I came upon this chart in my Nelson's NKJV Study Bible. It speaks directly to the dire financial straights we find ourselves in today.

WORLD’S VIEW OF RICHES

Money brings freedom

Money brings security

Money is what matters

Money is power

Money provides net worth

Money makes one successful

Money gives options

Money brings happiness

Money is one’s reward

Money is one’s possession

THE WORD’S VIEW OF RICHES

The desire for money can be enslaving and lead to destruction. Only Christ brings true freedom. (1 Timothy 6:7-10

Worldly wealth is very insecure; it will quickly pass away (James 1:10). Real security is found in knowing and trusting God. (Jeremiah 9:23,24; 1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Christ and the kingdom of God are what matters. (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 3:7-10)

Power comes from being filled with the Spirit. (Acts 1:8; 3:1-10)

Our worth is based on what God says, not what our bank statement says (John 3;16; Ephesians 1:3-14)

Success comes from knowing and doing what God says. (Joshua 1:8)

God is the one who ultimately gives us options (Ephesians 3;20)

The happiness that money brings is short-lived. In the long run money can actually produce many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10)

Lasting joy comes from knowing God (Psalm 5:11; John 15:11; 16:24)

Give as much as we can (Matthew 6:19-24; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; 1 Timothy 6:18)

All we have is God’s to do with as He pleases. We are merely a manager of His possessions (Psalm 24:1; Luke 19:11-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

God knows what we need and He is faithful and true in supplying us all our necessities, when we trust and seek Him first. As Jesus said: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

Stewart Whittemore writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.