The Lie of Money as Success

I’m really enjoying reading into what success is and is not in God’s eyes and how it’s become so lost on us. While I certainly don’t think a pursuit of financial well being is unrighteousness, I think the manner in which we go about it and the priority is has become in our culture is....“for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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 6:7-10 The cultural definition of success always involves money, even if we’re not brave enough to admit it. If you’re working at a job earning minimum wage, it doesn’t matter if you’re happy or living your calling; you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who’ll call you “successful.” Meanwhile, you could be the most miserable jerk on the planet, but if you’re swimming in a pool of money, you’ll find yourself envied among your peers. Depressing really. Sadly, this particular cultural perspective has been adopted by not a few Christians. In churches that teach the prosperity gospel, pastors flaunt their wealth and fly around on private jets. They preach sermons about God wanting us to have the best and shun the rest. People in these church communities work themselves to death in pursuit of money because they believe that’s what God wants for them; however, when they attain the wealth they so desperately sought they soon recognize how bankrupt they still remain.The world will try to tell you that you need stuff to be successful. But don’t listen to them. It’s a lie that will land you in a life you never wanted.God just wants you, not your portfolio. Be Nice. Grace Wins.