Unclaimed Cash

Unclaimed Cash

A neglected $20 bill sits on the table in front of me.  It’s been there for days.  It belongs to my son Jon, but it will stay there for at least a week if I don’t move it up to his room.  His attitude about money never ceases to amaze me.  I could put the bill in my wallet right now and he’d never notice it was gone -- and if I told him I took it, he’d just give a nonchalant, “OK, you can have it.”

When I take Jon to the mall it’s the same drill.  “Dad, I really don’t need that” is his shopping mantra. Maybe if I dangled a new iPhone in front of him, his principles might shift just a bit (it’s good to know he’s human!)… but clothes, sports gear, even video games… they all get the cold shoulder.

Jon has always been very content with his life as it stands.  He was never the crying toddler in Toys R Us, or the kid who tore open all his gifts at once on Christmas morning.  If we provide him with his needs, he honestly doesn’t worry about or desire much else.  I wonder how many of us can say the same about ourselves?

Is God providing for our needs?  If so, why do we desire more?  More money, more things… Take a moment and think about that.  And when the Lord does give us more than we need (and let’s not kid ourselves, most of us are in that category), what do we do with the extra? Do we share with others who are less fortunate, or do we make plans to use it for our own pleasure?  Let’s be honest.

Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” 

Is our daily mood dependent on the status of our bank account, or how the stock market is doing?  Are we content to stay in one place and humbly serve the Lord – or are we preoccupied with maintaining (or improving) our current lifestyle with travel and entertainment?

Matthew 6:20-21 says, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

That lonely $20 bill on the table was a gift to Jon from my mom.  He read her card with a smile, thanked her, and then left the cash behind.  Money is clearly not a priority in his life.  Think of how it would please the Lord if we all lived that way.  If we all focused on His Words, gave Him thanks - and didn’t make money a priority.

- Ron Reid