More Money More Problems

"When I win the lottery, I will be able to do everything I've ever wanted to do." This was a conversation between a friend and I. This friend has played the lottery for a long time now: every Wednesday and Saturday for the past years to be exact. I couldn't help but feel a bit sad. It was so easy to see that his hopes and dreams rested on guessing a series of numbers in order to win millions of dollars. Well, what if he never wins? He would have spent so much time, money, and effort for nothing. His dreams and happiness rest on him becoming rich by winning the lottery. What is he does win? Statistics show that most people who win the lottery spend it all within the first few years. He will be able to travel the world and buy pretty much whatever he wants; but then what? Is that really what life is about? People who place their hope in money just end up being let down. I was never a millionaire, but my parents were good stewards of their money. We had a good life; nice car, nice house, nice family trips. All of a sudden these things were gone. My parents divorced, we lost the house, and we ended up living with my uncle. We went from being a middle class family to a low class family. I learned the hard way that money comes and goes. So many people's dreams and happiness depend on money. Just turn on the radio and you will hear a bunch of songs about money and material things. My happiness and joy does not rest on something as unstable and temporary as money. I can't help but think of my life verse to help illustrate what has been my key to happiness and satisfaction: Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Is It Worth It?

Have you struggled many times asking yourself, "is it worth it?"


There are many questions that you may have had to ask yourself:
Is it worth giving up everything to follow after Jesus?
Is it worth surrendering your life to Him?
Is it worth denying yourself and taking up your cross?


The recent one I have asked myself is:
Is it worth taking a stand for righteousness?


Righteousness means:
acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin


Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


What? Did Jesus really mean that? We can face persecution for the sake of righteousness? By doing the right thing, by acting righteously, we will suffer?


How about the age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people?


Let's look at the story of Joseph to illustrate how this righteousness thing works. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and ended up in Egypt. Potiphar, the man that bought him as a slave, had him work at his house. Potiphar's wife had the hots for Joseph and tried to seduce him on several occasions. One day Joseph and Potiphar's wife are home alone and she tries to get him to sleep with her, but Joseph runs away. She accuses him of trying to rape her and Joseph gets thrown into jail...


Let's pause the story for a moment. It seems like God is being unfair. God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery and then thrown into jail for a crime he did not commit. Joseph took a stand for righteousness and look where he ended up: in jail. Had Joseph simply slept with Potiphar's wife, he would not have had to suffer the way he did; or so we may think.


Joseph was upright and did not sleep with Potiphar's wife. She set him up and he went to jail, but God was still with him. I asked myself, what if Joseph had slept with Potiphar's wife? What would have happened to him? God would have left him. They could have gotten caught in the act, and as punishment he still would have ended up in jail (without God's protection), or he could have been given the death penalty.


I am certain Joseph would have preferred a life-time of slavery or prison before sinning against God. He was in chains, but he was at peace with God.


Isaiah 57:2
Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.


Think about that the next time you have to make the choice between standing up for righteousness (doing the right thing), or taking the easy way out.