The Money Stage

After asking God to work on me, I didn't realize how quickly and powerfully He'd start doing it. It all started with a series on money at my church in Dallas last January. We talked about it for 2-3 months, which seems like a long time, but I left every Sunday in awe and inspired. I didn't realize how important it was for us to give with a happy heart and release that feeling that it was my (or Josh's and my) money. In Malachi 3:8-12, it talks about money so strongly as if we are robbing God and says that they were under a curse because they were robbing Him of His money. He says to test Him (WOW) on whether or not he'll bless them if they started giving with the right spirit. I've heard people say "Well, that was the old law, we're not under that anymore." I learned that we should actually give more than what was expected back then, because more is expected of us since Jesus died for our salvation. Pretty interesting thoughts. I think that money in our society is huge, and to give enough up every week that you feel it in you lifestyle, you are telling God every week, "I trust you. I love you. This is yours to begin with, so thank you for what you have given me, and here's a portion of your money back." That really hit home to me because money meant (used to mean more but still means) so much to me. I have always struggled with materialism and wanting, wanting, wanting. I didn't think about it all of the time, but when I did, I envied people who lived the wealthy "Dallas" lifestyle. I thought they had something I didn't. I thought that I wasn't sinning, because it was just normal to feel that way, and when the Bible would talk about that, I would just skim over that part. This all kind of hit me in the face that it is NOT good and God is NOT ignoring it. I NEEDED to change that about myself. I prayed and prayed for God to release this desire, and He did. I'm not saying I don't still struggle with it from time to time, and I am no where near perfect on this, but I felt that freedom of desiring that lifestyle. It is the most freeing feeling not wanting that, and it has also taught me many other lessons about perpective and how God is in control. Now, I need to continue to work on separating need from want...(i.e. a new pair of shoes each season!) I honestly don't know the right boundary there. Any thoughts on that?