The biggest problem the American society has, is how to deal with money. Society has become so money driven that people feel that it is the most important thing to have.
Most of the time, when it comes to money, those who have too much, don't share it, and those who have too little don't save it. Christians struggle badly when it comes to money. Most rich Christians have a hard time with giving up their money. God makes it clear in the Bible that he knows this and does not like it. Read Luke 12:19 -21.
"And I'll say to myself, 'you have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; et drink and be merry.' But God said. ' You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself.' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
But He does make it clear as to how we can control the feeling of greed. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
Being wealthy can also destroy you in the manner of how you want it more than you want God. Allowing it to become more worthy than God, can make your faith dwindle. Read Matthew 19:21-24.
"Jesus answered. ' if you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ' I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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."
Now there are also those who are poor. More often, when a Christian is poor, they risk the challenges of discontentment. Most Christians think "if God is so good to those who love Him, then why does He allow Christians to be poor?" Poorness did not come from God, It came as a result of our choice on how we wanted spend the freedom God gave us. With the choices that we made, there is a consequence. Some people have a hard time learning that being poor does not limit you to a life without pleasure, but frees you from a life of slavery to money. Read Proverbs 15:16.
"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil."
Read Philippians 4: 12-13
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Read 1 Timothy 6: 7 - 10
"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Read Hebrews 13:5
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
All of these verses Encourage us to be content with what has been given to us by God's mercy. God has blessed us in many ways, and it we try every day to remember those blessings. Then we will never be completely poor.
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