My carry-on and I are staring at two options.
A: Cave into scarfing down airport food despite its exorbitant cost, or
B: Let my semi-starving stomach suffer.
Neither option excites me. But it’s not as though I’m brimming with choices. I left home rushed, having to catch my flight.
Since option B—and the ulcer it might deliver—is even less enticing, I mosey to a long line in front of a coffee shop chain.
Twenty minutes later, the cashier rings me up. “That’ll be $22.01.”
Seriously? I wanted to blurt out but didn’t. For a latte and breakfast sandwich?
If money was ever an issue before, it’s nothing compared to today. I’ve written a few articles targeting anxieties surrounding money, all published somewhat recently—but prices haven’t improved.
Outrageous inflation teeters everything on the brink of inaccessibility.
If you’re behind on the rent or mortgage, or if your expenses far outweigh your stingy salary, you might scoff at the article’s title. My need for money has ratcheted up. What could I need more?
Here are three potential answers.
1. Wisdom
How can I make more money?
This job is killing me. The perks may be nice, but is it worth risking my health over?
Should we homeschool our kids?
Who should I vote for?
These dilemmas represent scores of other questions we grapple with. Wouldn’t it be convenient if someone could supply the right answer every time a piercing question arises?
Some mistakenly think that’s what therapists are for.
Ask my clients if you’d like, but as a licensed psychologist, I do not dole out advice. That’s not the service I provide.
Then, who can give us the assurance we need, particularly regarding the unknown?
According to the book of Proverbs: wisdom.
Scrutinize the 31 chapters of Proverbs, and you’ll see how much value God invests in wisdom, as well as how much He yearns for us to seek it with diligence. Notice the text’s emphasis on the primacy of wisdom:
- “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
- “Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7, CSB).
- “Everyone wants gold, but wisdom’s worth is far greater. Silver is sought after, but a heart of understanding yields a greater return” (Proverbs 16:16, TPT)
- “Whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor and grace from the LORD” (Proverbs 8:35, AMP).
Even though there are no known side effects from accumulating excessive wisdom, the ugly reality is we don’t devote that much time to gathering wisdom.
So, let’s fix this attitude.
To obtain wisdom, you can, of course, ask God for it. This is a prayer He instructed us to adopt (James 1:5). But He also embedded practical ways to amass wisdom throughout Proverbs, which is where I compiled 10.
If you wish to jumpstart your journey to becoming wiser, you’re welcome to head to my website, scroll down, and download the list for free.
2. Love
Three different drivers behaved rashly on my commute to work the other day. My city is one of the most congested in the U.S., so there’s nothing incredible about me witnessing these irresponsible drivers in action.
What’s shocking is how they all happened within the span of 10 minutes.
Check this Jeep out. The driver darted onto a merging freeway lane when, all around, other cars were slow or stopped. His reckless speed caused me to brace for a possible fender bender, affecting the car behind me—and, in turn, me.
But nothing happened. Praise God! Neither my car nor I was harmed. But observing three near-fatal accidents, one after another, shook me. It’s as though these careless drivers had little value for the lives they were endangering.
My experience on the road verifies the truth of Jesus’ prophecy: “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Lovelessness is a chronic problem. As the above situation shows, no less than life itself is at stake when people operate with a lack of love. But while the potential of hastening death is a grave enough concern, it’s not the only one.
That’s because when our love tank suffers and dips into a low territory, we also lack the firepower to fully believe in what God has proclaimed about us, including in hard economic times.
Consider how the Lord has lavished His love for humanity (Zephaniah 3:17, John 3:16, John 16:27, Romans 5:8). He has promised to shield us from all manners of evil (Psalm 91). He also makes it clear: He will provide, regardless of the economy (Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:31-33, Luke 12:24, Philippians 4:19).
Why should we fear inflation when His resources are limitless?
But if the above paragraphs hardly pacify your money worries, perhaps you could benefit from growing in love—that is, by bulking up yourself in the love of God. A simple way to do so is by meditating on the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8) and slightly tweaking the words. Since God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), we can substitute God for love.
So, let’s try this experiment. When you’re by yourself, say these statements out loud:
- God is kind to me.
- God is patient with me.
- God isn’t irritable with me.
- God doesn’t keep track of my wrongs.
Is there a reaction within you as you hear yourself pronounce these truths? Notice what develops inside when you utter the following:
- God always protects me.
- God trusts me.
- God never fails me.
If you sense unbelief, hesitancy, or anger as you said the above statements, you might have trust issues against God. If so, try repeating these sayings on a daily basis.
Don’t be surprised if you start believing in God’s love for you more.
3. The Word
Is Obadiah in the Bible?
A seminary professor doubted it, even though this man taught at a seminary. Last time I checked, the word still means a place where students and teachers both are expected to study the Bible. Yet this particular professor didn’t even read the Bible enough to know that Obadiah is one of the Bible’s 66 books.
I learned about this cringeworthy yet true story in my Old Testament class.
That was almost 20 years ago when I was still working on an MA in Theology. If biblical literacy was rare then—how else can we explain the seminarian’s cluelessness regarding Obadiah?—it’s almost extinct now.
Like the lack of love we touched on before, a lack of the Word is detrimental. People perish because of it (Hosea 4:6). They make decisions that end up backfiring because the choice they settle on appears deceivingly good (Proverbs 14:12). Their folly leads them into a crisis—which they then blame God for (Proverbs 19:3).
We desperately need to store God’s Word in us more than ever.
The Most Pivotal Action Step
Money. Love. Wisdom. The Word.
If you structure your life to secure the first item on this list—money—you may net a few dollars more. But there’s no guarantee you’ll also walk away with the other three.
If you switch your priorities around and pursue the last three items first, you will enjoy their built-in benefits. But that’s not all. You’ll also find that one way or another, you’ll always be provided for (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19).
So, even though this article has offered you action steps already, here comes the most pivotal one: a vibrant relationship with God.
An ongoing, intimate relationship with Jesus undergirds all prior steps. The Bible becomes nothing more than an antiquated set of prose without it. Plus, it’s impossible to grow in love—or wisdom—unless Jesus resides in your heart (Ephesians 3:17-18).
So, the next time you feel compelled to chase more money, pause.
Ask yourself. How is your relationship with the Lord?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/lovelyday12
Audrey Davidheiser, PhD is a California licensed psychologist, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding and directing a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now devotes her practice to survivors of trauma—including spiritual abuse. If you need her advice, visit her on www.aimforbreakthrough.com