The Lord Jesus has said that He "came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
Sadly, some of us live from payday to payday, worrying that we might not have enough until the next salary payment arrives. Brothers, if you are like this, I would like to encourage you: Stop being a payday Christian!
I would define "payday Christianity" as living under the weight of the world's cares. Christians like this see that God gives them enough when the pay arrives, but they think that it's just enough – that there's no room for extra. Because of this thinking, such Christians become stingy, hard-up on cash, and find it hard to give their tithes and offerings, be generous to family, and be a blessing to those that need help. We were not designed for this kind of life!
There are some Christians who, according to the Bible, have abandoned their faith because of their pursuit of money. "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." (1Timothy 6:10)
I will still consider this payday Christianity, where they hope that every day, there would be some money coming in, just like payday. This should not be!
What do you live for?
Friends, the Lord Jesus Himself said that "no one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." (Matthew 6:24)
If you live excited only for the payday amount you'll receive so that you can buy this and do this or that, you will miss out on what God has in store for you!
I know you might feel awkward reading an article regarding money in a Christian website, but the truth is that money will always be a god for some who do not live for the One true God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus Himself said that, and we should ask ourselves, "What do I live for?"
Choose for yourself
Elijah gave a very strong challenge to those who did not worship God in his time. 1 Kings 18:21 says, "And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word."
This was during a time when people worshipped Baal. Elijah knew God, and that Israel should be worshipping God, so he did this.
How about you? Are you loaded with so much worry over finances, or are you unable to serve God because "I need to earn this amount/buy this item/save up before I could serve God"? If money – the lack of it, the pursuit of it, or the abundance of it – is what's stopping or hindering you from pursuing God, stop it. He's so much more worth than that.
If you live for God, then pursue Him. Be serious in pursuing Him, and you won't be disappointed.
