Don't Sacrifice Relationships By Battling Over Money - It Can Cost You More Than You Think
Matthew 16:26 & Hebrews 13:5
Battles Over Money Can Cost You Way More Than Dollars
Soul Food
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
- Matthew 16:26 (NIV)
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ”
- Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Soul Search
"Can you think of a time or two when you fought a battle – or were invited to join in a battle - over money or material possessions?
Can you talk about it?""Did the battle(s) you were in yield the results you wanted?
If so, how did you ‘win’ the battle?""In the battle(s) you fought over money or material possessions, what did it cost you?
Did it cost you money to fight those battles?
Did it cost you in other ways?
Were any relationships sacrificed in some way(s)?
Can you talk about the costs associated with waging the battle(s)?"If you could go back and do things over, would you enter into the battle(s) again?
Why or why not?
Soul Moves
"As best you can, try to assess the importance of money and possessions to you.
The importance you place on money and possessions will be in direct correlation to your tendency and willingness to go into battle over these things.
Are you prone to fight over these things?""Ask God to help you ‘untie’ yourself from any love of money or possessions you might have.
Practice letting go of money and things by giving them away.
Be purposeful about letting go of those things that you naturally want to hoard or hold onto."If you see a potential battle brewing on the horizon and it has to do with money or possessions, determine – with God’s counsel and instruction – where that line is and don’t cross over it to go into battle.
Ask God to show you opportunities to turn what could have been a battle into a blessing by your willingness to open your hand and let go of the sword – and let go of the cash - you otherwise would be desperate to hold onto.
