#69 Identity in Finances:
Caramel-Covered Rotting Apples
One of my favorite treats is a caramel-covered apple, particularly those with crushed goodies on top. As I was recently contemplating our topic, God gave me an example that clearly communicates how the enemy deceives us into debt thinking. When Eve was looking upon the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and gazing at that dangling apple, I think she was seeing a pile of sin covered with the caramel of lust. The real apple, the one from the Tree of Life, is God's provision of food and clothing, coated and dipped in contentment.
"If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content"
(1 Tim. 6:8).
The apple from Satan's tree comes in all sizes and forms, but his method of operation is always predictable. Any kind of want, beyond these two basic elements of life, begins the temptation process of the "caramel apple." A fact that has always amazed me is Satan actually makes people go into debt to eat from his tree - and people are willing to borrow to do it. The food from God's tree is free, and is spiritually and organically good for us.
It is not uncommon to find people actually using credit to pay for the basic necessities of life. Only 25 years ago, this would have been quite uncommon. But today, 90% of credit card holders won't even think twice about it. If people are using credit to purchase food and clothing, we can be fairly certain the money God is providing to cover the two basics of life is being mismanaged.
Does something strike you a bit wrong about that picture? It would be like your father giving you five dollars to go to the grocer to buy milk and bread, and you come back with candy. Then he sends you back to the store to exchange the candy for the milk and bread, you eat the candy on the way, and buy the milk and bread on your "dad's account." What child would do that? A child who believes his father will "grace" him/her on all stupid decisions.
"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Tim. 6:10).
This scenario reveals the state of our church today. Most "children of God" treat God like He is some kind of slot machine. This generation of believers uses grace as if it is some "get out of jail free card," somehow thinking that God is turning... read more here
Identity in Finances: Caramel-Covered Rotting Apples. Copyright � 2015 IOM America. Permission to reproduce for educational purposes. Please keep author's name intact. Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, � Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Dr. Stephen R. Phinney PDF version: click hereFounder/Ministry Host
   
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