Money

Day 3, Motives

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Patty went into teaching because she loved everything about being in the classroom. Her mom was an educator of forty years, and Patty knew she’d be a lifer too. She began her first teaching job at a mid-sized school in an average-sized city. Single, she pinched pennies and managed to save quite a bit over the first few years of teaching.

Then she met Blake. He was tall, blond, and dreamy. They dated for over a year and he always treated her to nice restaurants and romantic destinations. He was a businessman and made good money. Once they were married they could settle down and live a little more tightly, but for now, being doted on was a welcome treat to her pinching pennies lifestyle.

When Blake popped the question, they eloped. He treated her to an island destination wedding that seemed like a dream. It bothered her that he went to such lengths for a wedding, but he assured her that he would have only the best for his special bride.

Blake was too good to be true. He made up stories as to why he needed extra money: an investment opportunity of a lifetime, the deal of the century, and on and on. Patty pulled from her savings account the first few times, but then the credit card statements came in. All the accounts had been opened in her name and charged to the max.

Reality sank in. She confronted Blake and he admitted to having a gambling problem, but he promised he’d win everything back and they’d be sitting pretty. He maintained for a few weeks, but soon, he came asking for more money. Patty had none. She used the rest of her savings to pay credit cards off so her credit score wouldn’t be affected along with any extra she had after paying bills for the month. Blake needed two hundred dollars and seemed to be in a bad place. He was scared. And Patty knew he was in danger.

They were collecting money for a field trip over the next two weeks. There was two hundred dollars sitting in her locked cabinet. She would get paid again by the time it was due. No one would ever know.

Patty’s insides were in a knot the day she slipped the money into her purse. Was she turning into a thief? No, she would put the money back as soon as her check hit the bank. But that Friday she pulled up her account, and there was no money in it. Panicked, she hurried home and her whole house was ransacked. Blake’s things were gone. So was all her jewelry. Blake had drained her dry.

Patty didn’t have money for groceries, rent, or any other bills. He even found her secret stash under the mattress and took it. Now there was no way she could pay back the money from the field trip. How could she ever get out of this situation?

We see two different kinds of people in this story. One is greedy and selfish while the other is penny pinching but easily swayed. Money can be a good thing or it can destroy people. Are you a wise manager of your funds or are you reckless like Blake? Do you live within your means or do you ride the high horse too often?

Do the Heart Work

1.      Are you controlled by your money or have you learned to be a wise manager?

2.      How do you do with a budget?

3.      Have you ever been tempted to “borrow” from the school? If so, what led you to that point?

Digging Deeper

Read the following verses about money.

1.      For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)

2.       Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)

3.      No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

4.      He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV)

If You Get Spare Time 

              Think about what your family taught you about money. Were they highly motivated by money? Did they manage their money wisely? Did they teach you to budget? Do you think long-term about money or are you more of the hand-to-mouth money manager?

              Money can either be a tool that helps us survive in our day to day life or it can be our god which leads us to wrong comparisons and choices. Which one is it for you? How are you motivated by money?