Blessed Money
Blessed are those…who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
Psalm 89:15
Corrie ten Boom told a story about her watchmaker father, Casper. The ten Boom family once prayed that God would send someone to purchase a watch that would pay all their bills. Later that day, a man did buy an expensive watch. As he paid, he complained about another Christian watchmaker who had sold him a faulty watch.
Casper asked if he could see this watch. It turned out to need only a minor repair, which Casper made, assuring the customer that the other watchmaker had sold him a good product. The amazed gentleman returned Casper’s watch and got his money back. As soon as the man left, Corrie demanded an explanation for her father’s actions.
“There is blessed and unblessed money,” Casper replied. He said that God would not be glorified in the ruined reputation of another Christian. A few days later, another customer bought the most expensive watch in the ten Boom shop, providing funds for not only the bills, but also two years of watch-making training for Corrie in Switzerland.
No amount of riches is worth the price of bringing dishonor to the name of God. Scripture says, “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil” (Proverbs 15:16). Let’s be sure that our financial gains can be counted as “blessed.”
Before you say good night…
- How can you teach the “blessed money” concept to your children?
- Is any unblessed money coming into your family right now?
- What would you have done in Casper ten Boom’s place?
Lord, You know our hearts and our motives. Our lives are wide open in Your sight. Help us to honor You and our fellow believers not only with our money, but also in the way we earn it. Amen.
Illustration adapted from Living in Light of Eternity by Stacy and Paula Rinehart (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 1986).
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This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.