Jesus said,
"... where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."
Mathew 6:19 and Luke 12:34

Since the stock market crash of 2008 pushed our stalled economy into a recession, finance seems to be one of the topics discussed with everyone you meet, in evidence everywhere you go, and present in most everything you read. So, what does the Bible say about finance? Using my concordance, I found there is quite a bit about finance in the "good book" and invite you to consider three verses I found especially meaningful.

For all can see that wise men die;
the foolish and the senseless alike perish
and leave their wealth to others.
Psalm 49:10

Reverend Peter K. Stimpson, in his book The Map to Happiness, puts this verse into everyday terms. He says, "You can eat health foods until they come out of your ears, exercise to the point of making Arnold Schwarzenegger jealous, drink the standard 8 glasses of water a day, have more cosmetic surgery than a roomful of Hollywood stars, and 100 years from now, you will be dead. Material wealth is nice to have, but you must share it, and you cannot take it with you. I have often joked with people that their Lexus will not fit into their coffin with them, but their soul will, it being ironic how much time we spend on things that do not last. Think of all the riches that were buried with the Pharaohs to help them on the journey to the next life, only to have people in this life steal them."

... when God gives any man wealth
and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them,
to accept his lot and be happy in his work -
this is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5:15

Ernst Friedrich Schumacher said, "Our ordinary mind always tries to persuade us that we are nothing but acorns and that our greatest happiness will be to become bigger, fatter, shinier acorns; but that is of interest only to pigs. Our faith gives us knowledge of something better, that we can become oak trees."

I hope I have piqued your interest and you will open your Bible and further explore additional readings concerning finance. I promise you will find many things to ponder.

Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have showered upon me, including financial stability. Continue to guide me toward ways that are pleasing to you for sharing the gifts and treasures you have provided. Amen

Contributed by Nancy
Sunday September 5, 2010
Liturgical Year C Week 41
Sunday Gospel reading:
Lectionary 23 (Proper 18)
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost