Powerball Mania

Powerball mania has swept the nation. As of this moment the payout is at 1.5 billion dollars with everyone believing in a dollar (or two) and a dream. On Wednesday evening, the numbers will be drawn and there will be squeals of delight, sighs of disappointment or a sense of hopelessness. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around all of this for the past week. We live in a nation where we have so much, yet complain about how little we have compared to others who have even more. The fact is we are a poor nation because we are so disillusioned about what makes us rich, and that is what makes it so dangerous.

Recently, I read an article about 21 lottery winners who thought they would finally realize their dreams because they had won millions, only to lose everything, including in some cases their lives. What does this tell you? Money can’t buy happiness, health or life. If you have to buy your friends, they aren’t your friends. The richest person on earth can purchase great healthcare, but it doesn’t mean it can buy them great health, and eventually, when you die, you can’t purchase your life back from the dead.

I want to offer you some tips in case you want to be rich, not for life, but for an eternity.

1. Seek Good Advice: The best way to get good advice is to go to someone who has the BEST advice, God. The way to seek the best advice is to pray and search God’s word for the answers to the questions you are asking. God has the answers you need about every topic, including money. This will require you to take action on your own, but it will also teach you responsibility and give you the gift of a relationship which will bring you satisfaction both today and for an eternity.

2. Invest Wisely: What are you doing with what God has already given you? What are you sowing which will produce and give back to God? Good investments are usually diversified. This usually means investing in people, your church, a humanitarian cause or a mission field to name a few. It is not just about money, however. It is about sharing your time and resources such as, your connections or your mechanical or technical abilities. Whatever gift God has given you to help others, is the investment God chose to place within your soul. God invested in you the day He created you and when He sent His Son to die in your place. Don’t squander His investment in you. Give back.

3. Set Your Long-term Goal: What are you hoping to accomplish? Whether in life or death we always hope to achieve our goals. What is the value of your goal? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? If you were to die today, what would people know most about you? What would your family and friends share about you? Would they know how much you invested in your relationship with Christ and that your goal was to one day go home and be with your Father in heaven? Would they know the riches of this world never swayed you from your beliefs or your commitment to serving God by loving people?

4. Give Generously: The richest people I know are those who give generously. Not all of them have great financial means, but they ALL give of themselves in one form or another. Money doesn’t make you rich. It is having the attitude of a willing servant that makes you rich. No one would have said Jesus was born into a financially secure home, although they could have said he was born financially stable (Get it?) God would provide all Jesus would need, because God is a generous God. How do we know God is generous? He sent His son to die on a cross and Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins.

Not even a Powerball worth 1.5 billion dollars could touch that…….   

Money brings out the best and worst in people. We are such a rich nation, yet so desperately poor in our heart and attitudes, always seeking more and never being content with what God has given us.  I love how the scripture 1 Timothy 6:10 is quoted in the NLT:

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Money is a tool that is part of our world system, but is flawed because of greedy and sinful hearts. Money also has the ability to empower, equip and provide hope and encouragement to those who are in need (not just in want!) Money isn’t bad, but the love of money causes it to become a god and allows it to control you if you let it, rather than allowing God to lead you.

Can you imagine all the good we could do as a nation if we invested wisely into the Kingdom of Heaven rather than the kingdom of self? I’m a rich woman because of who God is in my life. I’m blessed beyond measure and it is not because I am financially rich, but spiritually rich.  My Daddy God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He calls me His own.  I pray these tips will help you to understand the value of being rich beyond this world.