The Money Test

Have you been tested lately?

Life is a series of tests meant to teach us to live by faith. Once, a rich young ruler asked Jesus how to gain eternal life. In Matthew 19 we read, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Disheartened by the saying the man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Like him, we don’t know the condition of our heart until it’s tested. We think we’re disciplined with a budget, prioritizing giving, and that we’re not materialistic, but our reaction to tests reveal what Jesus already knows. The rich man thought he was doing everything right, but Jesus knew that possessions had gripped his heart. The rich young ruler didn’t want to give them up. This test revealed his true love.

So what about you? Do money and possessions have a hold of your heart? Have you adopted a worldly philosophy? Are you running after affluence and success instead of faithful stewardship? Are you seeking security in investments and savings? Stewardship is aligning your heart and money with God. A faithful steward is called to surrender everything to the Lord, rejecting the love of money and choosing to live according to God’s plan. It’s a heart and mindset of recognizing that you’re only a manager not the owner of all you have. God knows when your heart finds its riches in Christ, not the world, you’ll pass the money test.

Would you like to join us at Crown’s 2023 Reunion? We plan to gather October 12-15 at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina. For more details and registration, go to crown.org/reunion2023.