Flourish

I have loved money.

There, I said it. I know the love of money is a root of all evil. And yet, I have loved, nurtured, coddled, and caressed money.

I put my deep affection for money under the heading of “I don’t love money; I love what it can do”. I DO have big dreams of being wealthy and funding worthwhile projects and causes all over the world, but, if I’m honest with myself, I’ll admit that my heart is not 100% in the right place- yet.

The soul and spirit are a tricky pair. They are thick as thieves (that might not be the best simile to use!). My mind convinces me that my intentions are good, that my heart is pure. Thank God for His Word. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it divides between soul and spirit and tells it like it really is (Hebrews 4:12). There’s no fooling God.

And God’s not trying to fool me. He’s not trying to be mean by commanding me to keep my heart clear of all greed and lust. He’s trying to protect me. He knows that

“…the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs.” (Amplified Bible, 1 Timothy 6:10)

Acute mental pangs. That doesn’t sound like much fun. But how many times have I experienced this very thing due to my craving for money? More times than I’d like to recall.

God isn’t after trapping me in pseudo simplicity, or locking me in debasing asceticism, either. Instead, He’s after giving me true freedom, true wealth- from the inside out.

“Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” (New Living Translation, Proverbs 11:28)

He wants me to be like that flourishing tree,

“…planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (New King James Version, Psalm 1:3)

By the river, bearing fruit, blooming, prospering. That’s what He wants for me. That- and a right heart. Amen, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Flourish