Financial Infidelity
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
In the Bible, the fifth chapter of Acts tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira. This husband and wife sold a piece of property and took some of the proceeds to the apostles. Sounds great, right? The problem was that they told the apostle Peter that they were giving ALL of the proceeds from the sale. Peter, however, discerned the truth, and first asked Ananias, “Didn’t it (the property) belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” And Ananias fell down and died. Several hours later, Sapphira showed up, not knowing what had happened, and confirmed her husband’s story saying that all of the proceeds had been given. She also immediately died.By Carolyn Hulliberger
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
The greatest affair any of us may have is a love affair with money. Our society tells us that more money equates to more happiness, more success, more peace. The world consistently tells us that our identity is wrapped up in the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the games our kids own, and the neighborhood we live in. Advertisements are aimed specifically at breeding discontent with our current situation and urging us to seek a cure by purchasing products. And if we don’t have the money to buy those products? No problem! We can get the money by home equity loans, credit cards and payday loans. The message is to mortgage our future to treat the discontentment of today.
If we have a love affair with money, we will never discover true riches because money simply cannot provide them. Ask a sales professional how long the thrill of her biggest sale lasted. Talk to a lottery winner about quickly the “high” of the win wore off. The good feelings don’t go on forever. Hear from the family forced into foreclosure when they bought a luxury home…banking on career promotions instead of corporate downsizing. Or, the couple in marital counseling because one spouse has been hiding purchases on credit cards for years and now the ugly truth has been revealed.
God wants us to find our satisfaction in what He gives us. When we invest in His kingdom, the benefits will be happiness, peace, and success in His eyes. Isn’t that what we were searching for all along?
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take a look at your house, your checkbook, your life. Does anything seem out of balance?
2. If you have gotten into a financial hole, seek help now. Don’t wait another day to make a change.
FURTHER READING:
1 Timothy 6:10; Proverbs 22:7
Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
