Recordkeeping follows the trends of technology.
Move a stone from one basket to another. Tie knots in strings. Perhaps work a cord through seashells to measure how many fish you’ve caught.
Pocketknives stepped up our technological advantage, and we had a new way to keep track of events around us. We notched a section of wood, perhaps a stick of slivered timber.
Each notch meant something important. Make enough, and we became a person of importance. People began to look up to us.
How do we notch our achievements in the modern day? That’s easy. We buy a glitzier car. Move into a more exclusive neighborhood. Wear high fashion so the world can see the notches of our success.
The Word of God gives us different notches. Having money is okay. Great, even. It’s what we do with it that changes when we create our notches according to God’s standards.
Ecclesiastes 5:12-14 gives 3 notches we want to find on our financial yardstick.
“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.”
Let’s look at our notches one at a time.
Notch No. 1:
Putting our best effort into our financial endeavors is vital, whether we work with our hands, our head, or our heart. We must give it our all.
“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer.”
Notch No. 2:
Piling up our bank accounts when there is need at our door is a disastrous choice. Our generous blessings from God are for the benefit of our fellow man.
“Riches were kept by their owner to his hurt.”
Notch No. 3:
We can’t be lured by get-rich-quick schemes. If all we desire is more money, our caution will evaporate, and we will stumble in our endeavors.
“Riches were lost in a bad venture.”
How do we make our notches count? What do we change to perform to God’s standard?
- Work hard to show honesty in financial matters.
- Share with those in need.
- Seek Biblical guidance in new business ventures.
God is our measuring stick. Let’s do right by him.
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Code: FGO.I.08.19a.vp.esv