Comments on: Could The Money Lover Please Stand Up

By: Friday Gathering: Christian Finance Blog Edition

Friday Gathering: Christian Finance Blog Edition — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:02:05 +0000

[...] Ford managed an Eminem reference on a Christian personal finance blog with his post, Could the money lover please stand up? Okay, maybe it wasn’t an Eminem allusion, but I thought it was funny anyway. [...]

By: ParisGirl111

ParisGirl111 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:19:07 +0000

This article is very interesting! I have heard the phrase you were mentioning above at countless financial seminars..as long as you don’t LOVE the money, or put the money above God, you are good. However, I must say that your approach to this makes more sense when you look at all the verses of the Bible regarding money collectively. Action without a change of heart is not only wrong, but is apparent to everyone around you. I am in seminary and have encoutered many pharisees and legalists of the like…they want to act like they don’t love money, yet they grip it so tightly. I think there is an opposite extreme here..these people think they don’t love money, but they hold on so tightly to it, that I dare say they love it more than God b.c I have never seen anyone hold on to their Bible like that…not even in seminary..sadly.

When the pain of thinking about losing your relationship with GOd is greater than the pain you feel from thinking about losing your car or home, then you may have a firm grip on it. IN any case, we must all take it day by day as you said. I struggle with this love every day which is why I need God in my life every day. Thanks so much for this article. Great perspective!

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:22:34 +0000

@Ray.
I think the honesty you show is the first and best part of the process. Continue being honest. Talk with trusted friends. When we desire to do what is right God will provide the resources necessary.
Remember, we are all fighting the same battle.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:19:27 +0000

@Paul
Thanks for your kind words. You’re right that we are accustomed to loving money. God will be the one to give us the knowledge and strength necessary. What is impossible with man is always possible with God.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:03:20 +0000

@Gholmes. At the end of the day our conclusions might just be right, but I think all of us would do well to stay with the tension for just a little be longer instead of looking for the emergency exit.
I think when we admit the struggle we are more likely to overcome a love of money.

By: Gholmes

Gholmes — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:54:11 +0000

LOL I am one of those that breathe a big sigh. Great food for thought. Yes count me as lover of money, something that I do battle is envy. Am I walking away from my faith, no. Yet if I was asked to give up my comforts I would struggle mightly.

By: Paul Williams

Paul Williams — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:23:58 +0000

Wow, Craig. Excellent article! I think we’ve become so accustomed to loving money that we don’t even know what it looks like. I can identify with your struggles against the love of money. Being able to give up our attachment to money and desire for it is difficult and requires sacrifice, but it is possible through God.

I was just thinking about all the things I’ve written on contentment and giving, and I’m wondering if I’m missing the heart issues and trying to just change actions. Thanks for a thought-provoking and powerful article!
.-= Paul Williams´s last blog ..Fresh-baked Yeast Bread with Only 10 Minutes of Work =-.

By: Ray

Ray — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:07:59 +0000

I admit I love money, and the comforts it can buy. I struggle with this everyday, most days I fail. I keep trying to change my perspective. How do you work to make money and not come to love money and what it will buy? It is like golden handcuffs. I know in my heart it is just a tool to do what God wants me to do, but working where I do, in the industry I do, money is the goal. I could change jobs, but my bills still need to get paid..Any ideas?