Scripture
Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

Observation
What happens when I try to enjoy money before God has given it to me? Instead of joy there is discontent, desire, debt, interest, anxiety, fear and resentment. There is a specialized word to describe the human experience of enjoying money before God gives it to us. The word is “covetousness.”

Coveting is more than wanting something. Covetousness is wanting to enjoy something without God’s participation. Instead of passing from the Lord’s hand and into ours, covetousness shoplifts from God.

Why do we covet things? Because we trust ourselves too much and because we trust God too little. Every human has a thought like this inside his brain: “Money is up to me.” And so we grasp after what God wants to give. The price tag of a self-financed life is dissatisfaction.

What does God have in mind for our finances? God wants us to enjoy life by first waiting for him to give before we receive. If covetousness is shoplifting then what God offers is gift giving. A stolen candy bar never tastes good, but oh the joy of Christmas morning!

Application
I heard someone say that inappropriate debt is a sign that I have become my own provider instead of the Lord. When the enjoyment of money is gone I need to ask myself what have I shoplifted from God’s storehouse instead of enjoying what he has given to me.

Prayer
Father, help me to enjoy what I have and have enough contentment in you to live without. Amen.