You shall have no other gods before me. What does that mean? That is a spectacularly authoritative command. Almost egotistical. Except it’s not, because God has no ego, and it’s not a command but an invitation. How can you not enthrone the All Powerful who has nothing but unconditional love for you? But He will never force you. You can’t have a pure relationship without freedom of choice.
Along comes Money—by far God’s biggest rival (except God has no rivals). Take a look at the world humankind has created. From food to shelter to career to contract to corporation to government to the stock exchange to trade agreements—Money is the whole underpinning of our daily existence. How is it possible not to make Money our god?
Because it is not. You are examining a finite system—you die and it is all gone. If you believe that when you die, you are gone, then it makes sense to pursue Money. I don’t believe that (see one of my earlier posts—Death Is Not the End—one of my favorites). The apostle Paul says: If Christ did not rise from the dead, we are the most of all men to be pitied. Ecclesiastes has a simpler view of life without God: Eat, drink, and be merry…for tomorrow you may die.
The choice is spelled out clearly. You cannot serve God and mammon. O human, choose the better master! Though the choice is black and white, most of us choose gray. Fool that I am, I spent most of my adult life riding that compromise. I’d put it 70 to 30 for mammon most of the time—65 to 35 on good days. We refuse to believe that No other gods before me.. is good news—designed for our benefits—the antithesis of a petty demand. Put God first…even in money matters. If I was God’s PR agent (He doesn’t need one), I’d tell Him to take out that part with Jesus and the rich young man. How many of us have read it and thought Awww, poor man as the rich young man walked away? Why do you think Jesus told him that? No other gods… Will Jesus tell you what He told the rich young man? I doubt it. The better question (the ultimate moral/ethical question) is: if He did, would you do it? I hope I would. (He hasn’t asked me yet).
Which brings us to the question of tithing. I have always wondered, why 10%? That seems so under the Law. (Actually, it is under the Law). The church we joined (which I love) suggested that we make an annual commitment to our giving. I decided not to (not even sure if Karen is with me on this one). I don’t believe in 10%–I believe it is all His, and I want to spend it and share it as He wants me to. Of course, I have my selfish concerns—which mainly have to do with my children and their families—but He has those same concerns! Clearly, our use of money matters to our Lord—just as clearly, His heart is directed toward the poor and the disenfranchised. That is one thing I admire about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet—they seem to realize that relieving suffering is a good investment. I guess it’s easier when you have billions.
For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. That’s the dividing line. Jesus looks at the heart—and you can never fool Him. It is no longer 10%–it is all His. Does that mean He’s going to send you out on the road, penniless and handing out Bible tracts? (Haha, only if you are a fundamentalist). He meets us where we are—just as He did the rich young man, who asked a rather bold question. He doesn’t want your money—He wants you.
No other gods before me—that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy His creation (and by creation I don’t just mean nature—I mean the whole blooming mess!). Jesus’s formula was so simple: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. Let the window open—invite Him in.
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