8 practical ways to love God more than money
I write this article as much to myself as to you: I fully realize how money will persistently and insidiously seek to capture a bigger and bigger portion of my heart and my life.
By Joe Plemon, Seed Time
I also know that drifting through life doesn’t work, because I seldom drift closer to God.
Perhaps this is why Jesus declared these two loves to be polar opposites:
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 6:24 NIV
I am convinced that we need to be very intentional about keeping God first and money last. These tips will help.
1. Have a Regular Prayer Time
I am not talking about praying over a meal or even talking to God as you drive to work. These prayers are fine, but loving God means committing your time to Him. Set aside some time every day just for Him. He would love for you to do so.
2. Serve Others
The second greatest commandment (after loving God) is to love others. Do you serve your family? Do you serve your co-workers (even your subordinates)? Do you check on the widow who lives down the street? Do you volunteer to mentor a child of a single parent?
Notice that I haven’t said a word about money so far. Why? Because the best way to not love money is to proactively love God. As Jesus said, we can’t love both.
Now some money tips that will help us love God …
3. Be a Giver
Why do I emphasize giving? Because doing so is the antidote for loving money.
God is the ultimate giver. (He gave his only son.) The more we develop a giver’s heart, the more we become like God and demonstrate our love for him.