Don’t Love Money

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5

HALLOWEEN ISN’T EVEN over before Christmas decorations are hitting the shelves. And instead of waiting until “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional beginning of the holiday shopping season, the deep holiday discounts begin much earlier.

Why the push for sales? The sales-powers-that-be like to use the time to drive up consumer lust and promote consumer spending so they can make more money before the end of the year.

Perhaps today’s Scripture verse should be our motto to help us rein in temptation during the holidays. Granted, it doesn’t sound like the best Christmas verse, but it gives us two very powerful reminders for the season.

First of all, the verse reminds us to keep money in its place and not lust after all the new “toys” the world constantly dangles before our eyes—the desire for more, more, more. The longing for things takes our time and distracts us from focusing on God.

Second, the Scripture tells us to be happy with what we have because God has promised never to fail us or abandon us.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Instead of abandoning humans when they sinned, God went to the other extreme—he gave the gift of his Son to live among us and make sure we would never have to be separated from God.

During this holiday month, practice satisfaction. You’ll be rewarded with the true gift that only God can give us—himself.