Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

‭‭III John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Have you ever had a complaint against the government or some other entity that you deemed responsible for a certain task that wasn't being fulfilled? It could be filling potholes, providing medical care, helping the poor, helping kids stay in school, or something along those lines. Have you ever wished you could do something about it? Have you ever done something about it, however small? If not, why haven't you? I have the answer: you didn't have the money!

The writer of Ecclesiastes states that money answers all things. The logic behind that line is that if you have financial resources, you can do a lot of stuff you wouldn't be able to if you're broke. Many of us see the brokenness around us, and our hands are tied because, whereas we feel bad about it, we can't do anything about it. We are simply concerned. 

Having financial resources is what enables you to turn your concern into compassion. It's not compassion if you can't do anything about it. The hungry child will go to bed hungry, the naked will remain unclothed, the destitute will stay wandering, regardless of how bad you feel, as long as you can't do something about it. They will never feel your compassion. 

God has a plan for the financial needs of this world, and you and I, who are His children, are a part of that plan. We are blessed to be a blessing. The most selfish prayer as far as God's provision is concerned is for Him to just meet your needs. God does not just want to meet our needs. He wants to solve all our neighbours' problems through us, and that cannot happen without resources. Prosperity is not about accumulation of stuff! It's about being able to do all that God has called us to do in our communities and to demonstrate His love to those around us.

DC Talk sang, "Love is a verb". You can love me all you want, but if you cannot demonstrate it, I'll always be suspicious. Love to the hungry is food. Love to the naked is clothing. Love to the homeless is shelter. Love to the lonely is time. All this costs money.

Today’s devotional is taken from the book Straight Forward Financial Growth.