Yesterday I shared with you about the unbelieving man who was very happy with all his possessions until he was confronted with eternity. Now let me share with you about the believer and his priorities.

The believing man sat at his desk and looked at his checkbook. To be honest with you, he was very grateful for the very significant amount of cash he had accumulated. That day he decided to add up his entire net worth. Taking all the funds in his portfolio, checking account, CDs, and combining them with the value of his home and possessions, he thought within himself, “You have been very blessed by the Lord. The more you have given to the Lord, His work and ministries and to others, the more the Lord has given to you!” and he praised the Lord for His grace and provision. He prayed that the Lord would give him wisdom to be a good steward of the funds entrusted to him. He asked the Lord to help him to have a gracious and generous heart.

Soon thereafter he read several verses from 1 Timothy which reinforced his attitude toward his financial situation in view of eternity and his gratefulness to the Lord. Here are the verses he read:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Money is not the root of all evil. The unquenched love of money is. Later in the chapter, Paul told Timothy to remind folks that were blessed financially to be generous and not to be proud of their status.

Friends, you and I must have the right focus and the right attitude of gratitude as believers blessed the Lord.