3 Things Everyone Should Know About Making Money:
I think that having a job is good. I like my job. Working to make money is a good skill for teenagers to learn nowadays so as to have a good work ethic and not grow lazy. However, is making money higher on your list of priorities than God? And is your bank account more treasured than your personal relationship with Him?
First, the verse "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), comes to mind. Whether you work in a restaurant, store, or don't even have a job, you are representing Christ. Even if your boss is a lying and cheating thief, you're still working for the glory of God, not man. Also, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow" (Proverbs 13:11). Many people try to cheat in the workplace whether by stealing food or even hours. This is dishonest and even if your supervisor doesn't find out, God knows, and He will punish. So however you make money or live your life, do it all, honestly, for the glory of God.
Secondly, never let money become an idol. Are you missing church every week because your job is "more important?" Or are you working late Saturday night and sleeping in on Sundays? No earthly treasure could ever compare to the treasure we can store up in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-20: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Earthly treasure is temporary and fleeting--like our lives here on Earth! Sometimes the wealthiest people are the loneliest and unhappiest. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). If our insecurities are inversely proportionate to our monetary wealth, then there is a problem with our priorities.
Additionally, God calls us to tithe. "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" (Malachi 3:10). All he asks is for us to give a portion of what we receive. I do not think that is too much to ask considering it is all by Him and through Him that we were blessed with it to begin with. Furthermore, after we give back to Him, he will flood us with blessings! What could be better?
Some argue that it is not within their financial means to tithe. God says, "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:31-33). God, more than anyone, knows best what we need and what is best for us. Yes, it can be challenging to cast a situation out of your own hands and leave it up to someone else. However, God has everything in control and has perfect timing! So if you tithe and trust in Him, he will provide and multiply your blessings abundantly.
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M
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