Everywhere we look, attention is focussed on the economy: soaring energy prices, the cost of living, inflation, interest rates and so on are all headlines hammered into our consciousness on a daily basis. For many, this is a daunting, challenging and frightening time. For those of us who are older, economic uncertainty, financial instability and political change are more familiar. We are old enough to have perhaps learned to ride the waves of the vicissitudes of life or at least to know that there are different seasons in life and that things will not always be the same (for good or bad!)
In it all, it is worth reminding ourselves of the value and longevity of God’s currency. When I was first married, I bought a book called ‘What Really Matters At Home’ by John and Susan Yates. It highlighted eight virtues which are the bedrock of life: integrity, faith, self-discipline, joy, compassion, courage, humility and service. These qualities are unlikely to feature in any Wall Street journal, but they are highly valued by God.
God is still looking for people who will dance to His tune, march to His beat and deal in His currency. Love, mercy, grace and kindness are still what He values. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (see Col 3:12) are still notes of high value with God. Forgiveness and love, forbearance and generosity will always be the way God acts and therefore are the way His people should act.
It’s all too easy to let a love of money or anxiety about money become the defining part of life. God wants us to live by different values and promises to meet all our needs. (Matt 6:25-34; Phil 4:19) We need to both ban and give accodring to God’s values, secure in the knowledge God is no man’s debtor. ‘Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken togeether and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (Luke 6:38) We are working for eternal treasures. There’s more to life than money!
