MINE!

John uses the Greek word "kosmos" to describe a system of rules and philosphies that engender opposition to God. This "worldview" is a similar in meaning to the "world" we are warned not to conform to. (One has more of a spatial connotation, while the latter, more of a temporal - "the age"). In either case, both writers express that there is a philosphy at work purposed to turn our hearts against God.

Many non-Christians and agnostic/atheists are what they are because of the many "bad" things that don't seem to add up to a good God. Yet, if we look at the Bible as if it really were a message from God to us, we are warned not to "surrender to the system of beliefs that blames God for all of the bad".

One area of life in which even Christians struggle to overcome this admonition is in the area of finances. Don't you notice some people just bristle when you bring up questions that are "too personal" about their finances? It's as if their money were an unruly child in a crowded mall - embarassment rapidly converted to anger. Yet, God has promised that he will prosper men not on their own efforts alone, but on His good graces and on His timetables.

The world wants us to believe that "time is money", yet in an instant companies fold, scandals unfold, and schemes unravel - regardless of all the time put in prior to the instant. How much money do you take with you when you die? None? But, if time were money, wouldn't we have it made at the end of this life? The Bible has over 2,000 verses that cover money and posessions. One of the most fundamental is 1 Chron. 29:11-12 which credits God with the power to give wealth and honor to all. If we were to view honor and financial success through this lens, what would we say when things didn't go our way?

If it's not our money, why freak out? If God's really in control, then He didn't just crash your car - He just crashed His car. That doesn't change the fact that you were driving it, nor does it change the fact that you were in posession of it. Biblically, we don't own anything, we manage it. We steward it. We tend it like a flock. Why do you think there are so many references to sheep in the Bible? It was a relevant metaphor, considering the economy at that time, and shepherds knew of the temporal nature of their flock - hair today, gone tomorrow. Ten sheep could be carried off one night by wolves. Eight could die of natural causes. The point wasn't how many you had, it was how you treated the ones you had, and how you managed your portfolio, while you had it.

So, how's your perspective? As a Christian, do you lose your mind when financial problems rear up? Do you get noticibly angry and irritable when things are tight? Have you never thought of things in this light? As a non-Christian, does this bother you? Does this help you to understand why Christians are the way they are?

While you're thinking, check out these resources: Crown Ministries, Dave Ramsey, and Ron Blue and see how they help.