It’s been interesting to watch all the hype about this new Powerball Jackpot that reached $1.5B – yes B as in billion. I watched all the people who drove for hours in Nevada to get to state line as Nevada apparently doesn’t participate in this particular lottery.  And then those same people who drove so far stood in line for hours just to pay money, their hard earned money for  a chance, just a slight chance to win the vast amount of money that nobody could possibly spend in a lifetime. And the lines that ran for blocks here in sunny SoCal for that very same reason.  What, nobody works anymore?

And after it was announced that there was a local winner here in sunny SoCal, people flocked to the store where the ticket was purchased to see if the winner would show up, would put in an appearance.  This one flabbergasted me.  Why in the world would you go wait outside in the cold, SoCal isn’t so sunny right now, to see someone who you don’t know, come to get money you didn’t win.  Is it that we just want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves?

So here’s what God has to say about money, lots and lots of money.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

The LOVE of money – not money itself which is necessary.  Many people, and I would venture to say a lot of those people from last night are lovers of money.  They put their trust in it.  They make it their idol.  They make it their passion.  But wait, isn’t that supposed to be God?  He says He is a jealous God and so we are to have no idols period.

For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25

Now this one, I think was kind of hard for me to get.  If you have a lot of money, does that make you proud, make you think you’re better than everyone else?  Does it make you feel as if you don’t need God or Jesus?  I think there’s some truth in both of those questions. God despises the proud but lifts up the humble.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,…  2 Timothy 3:1-2a

I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen this scripture put into practice more and more with each year that passes.  Who’s to say if these are indeed the “last days”, but I would venture a guess that they are coming mighty fast.

“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
⁸ Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.
⁹ Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9

This one I can relate to.  In times where I have had much money, I don’t think I did a great job of handling it.  I didn’t give a ton away, and I didn’t do a lot of other things I should have with it.  Shopping for shoes and clothes and stuff are my memories of that time.  Being selfish and being a lover of myself.

And God says this is wrong – just wrong.  We are given what we have to give away, to help others in need.  his is something I am working on, being less of a shopper and more of a woman after God’s own heart who helps others instead of does things for herself.  And I didn’t have to ask God for anything – if He gave it to me, okay, but if not I had money,  my back-up plan.

And I have been on the wanting end, the place where I had nothing but three kids and myself to feed.  The place where I had to depend on god for everything everyday.  In those times, I was more peaceful. I chased after God with my whole heart – there was nothing to share it with – no money no stuff, nothing.

So if I had to pick for myself the time I personally would want to have, it’s the latter.  The one where I had peace, where I was trusting God unconditionally.  There’s no better place to be.  How about you?  Where are you today, right now?  And where would you choose to be?