“Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30: 7-9
It happens to me three or four times a year. Lottery fever.
I hear about a huuuuuge jackpot and lust after the $400 million or so that could be mine for a mere $2 investment. And I say to myself, "God could use that tithe of $40 million off the top."
Really?
Can He, who holds the world in space, have need of anything?
Of course, He asks for and deserves the first 10 percent of all He has given me. But God is also interested in something much more valuable than vast riches: My heart.
Why do I lust after that large jackpot? Not so much for the top 10 percent that I would "give" to God. Let's be honest: I long for the 90 percent I would allow myself to keep. Buy an island (separating me from people). Live in a hotel penthouse (separating me from chores). Go on a round-the-world trip (separating me from responsibility).
Is any of that separation really good for me? No. it would lead me to rely less on God, denying Him in my life.
And so, the next time there is a huge lottery jackpot, know that I will consider that I actually did win $2 in that lottery -- by not buying a ticket. But more, I win big time by being thankful to God for all He has already provided, and being mindful that what is best for me is not a vast reserve of money but a continual reliance on His ongoing provision.