MONEY and LIFE

 So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 
This is the origin of your life and mine. This life on earth is a gift from GOD.
 And the LORD God formed a man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.
Genesis 2:7

 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
1 Peter 1:18-19
Eternal life is also a gift from GOD, purchased for us with the precious blood of  JESUS.
 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
John 10:10


The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD Almighty.
Haggai 2:8
 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. 
Psalm 50:10
Everything on earth belongs to GOD including you and I.
But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
 
Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me." Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." 
Luke 12:13-15
What is money?
Man takes the silver and gold that is GOD'S, forms it into money, puts his image on it, and calls it 'Mine'.
 Even as its possessor says to money "You are mine,"   MONEY says to its possessor "You are mine!"
Money has a tendency to possess the one who possesses it. It spells   M-----Y                                  
     ONE
Here, show me the Roman coin used for the tax." When they handed him the coin, he (JESUS) asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Well, then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God." 
Matthew 22:19-21 
What then does GOD require of us?
He requires our very life. All that we are - Our energy, strength, skills and talents. 
                                                                    - Our time on earth.
                                                                    - Our relationships.
                                                                    - Our material possessions.
All that we are and all that we have, rightfully belong to Him and should be used for His glory and to profit His Kingdom.
 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.
Matthew 5:42


The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a child." "There is still one thing you lack," Jesus said. "Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the man heard this, he became sad because he was very rich. Jesus watched him go and then said to his disciples, "How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" 
Luke 18:21-25
Money that we have that doesn't rightfully belong to us,
Money that we we are holding on to that should be given away, and
Money that we take that is not meant for us,
will not be a blessing to us but will turn out to be a curse.

And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, his barns were full to overflowing. So he said, `I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything. And I'll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!' "But God said to him, `You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."
Luke 12:16-21


Therefore beware of money!!
It has a subtle way of preoccupying your mind and entering your heart!
It can turn your heart away from GOD and spoil your relationships with others.
Do not overestimate money. Know its real value.
Use what you have, wisely and responsibly to glorify GOD and to bless others.