God's Gift of Money: Devotions from Time of GraceExemplo

Get rich slow

There will always be people who want to get rich quick, and they will always be followed closely by people ready, willing, and able to take advantage of that craving. Gambling casinos, lotteries, carnival games of chance, “can’t miss” investment deals, and “insider” stock tips will separate the get-rich-quick crowd from what money they do have. As you may know, there’s only one winner in the gambling business--the house.

The godly alternative is not joyful poverty, but to seek to build your family’s financial strength in a godly way. You might call it a “get rich slow” strategy. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11). Getting up and going to work each day, saving your paychecks, living small, learning to make do, patiently investing in a sound financial plan, and deferring expensive pleasures will grow your assets.

Materialism is indeed a disease. But the way to avoid it is to let God teach you how to make, save, spend, and give money. It gives Him pleasure to be generous with us. It also gives Him pleasure to see us build financial security so that we can be generous with others.