Grateful & Generous 2-3

Most of us wouldn't say that money controls our lives.

We might say we want more money, need more money, or wish we didn't have to worry so much about money. But we probably wouldn't describe ourselves as serving it.
Yet Jesus said something that challenges us to look deeper.

"No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." Matthew 6:24, NLT

Notice that Jesus didn't say we couldn't have money.

He said we couldn't serve both God and money.

Money can be a useful tool. It helps us provide for our families, meet needs, and create opportunities to help others. But when money becomes the thing that determines our decisions, controls our emotions, or defines our success, it begins taking a place it was never meant to occupy.

Think about the difference between using a tool and being controlled by it.
A tool helps you accomplish something.

A master tells you what to do.

Jesus invites us to examine whether we're using our resources to follow Him or allowing those resources to determine how closely we're willing to follow.

Today's Challenge: Think about a recent decision involving money, possessions, or your schedule. Did you make that decision primarily around what you wanted, or did you consider what Jesus might want you to do?

Jesus, I want You to lead my life. Help me recognize anything that's competing for first place in my heart, and give me the courage to put You first.