CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – I have a family member who I love dearly. And I’m sad for him. He believes that he’ll run out of money before he dies.
Outwardly, he’s a wealthy man. He’s retired. He sold his business years ago. His wife gets a generous pension. They live in a house that’s fully paid for in an upscale neighborhood. They have a stock portfolio and will soon collect social security.
And yet, they have new expenses too. His doctor has prescribed new, expensive medication. He’ll pay more for health insurance to cover some of the costs. He sees the price of gas and food eating into his budget month after month. His investments earn less, and those gains are swallowed up by inflation. He expected to live off the interest of his wealth. He now faces the possibility of slowly having to draw down on his savings.
Most of us – myself included – would willingly trade our personal financial situation for his.
I suspect many other people have similar feelings today. It’s unsettling when the price of everything is going up, and we wonder if we’ll have enough money.
What does God have to say about this?
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus said “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet they are dressed more beautifully than Kings. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.”
And in Matthew we are told not to store up our treasures on earth, where it might rust or be stolen. Store up your treasure in heaven. Where your treasure is… that is where your heart is.”
I know. It’s hard to live without food, or housing, or a car or a financial cushion.
But also remember that you are more than the money and things you accumulate. And the biggest challenge for people of faith in times like this is that we are told to live richly. If you are a believer, God has already provided for you. You are saved. If you fret about money to the point of distraction, you’ll find that your soul lives in poverty.
I’m Chris Conley
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