I think one of the very important intangibles about the whole discussion of money is the emotional freight it carries. If you wrote your money biography as suggested yesterday, an important next step would be to pay attention to the emotions that it stirs within you and between you and your spouse. This connects with our faith journey in significant ways.
For example, I was fortunate in my ministry to have an adequate salary. I had a relatively modest life style, often took the family camping for vacations, did not have expensive hobbies and did not need expensive clothes or cars. Therefore, I was able to meet my expenses and my family needs in an adequate fashion. Still, when I heard about a pastor getting 20 or 30 thousand more than me, I confess to feeling jealous. Or when I heard of professions having huge bonuses or large salaries and I believed that my work was even more stressful than what they experienced, I felt under-appreciated.
Because Presbyterians always debate a pastor’s salary in a public meeting, I would occasionally have someone challenge even a modest raise. At the time I did not feel very forgiving. Until we realized that none of my family should be present at such discussions, it also made me angry that they would feel hurt by some of the comments made.
Occasionally when we did want to do something that we could not afford, I also had a feeling that somehow I was inadequate or was not providing properly for my family. I rarely thought about changing professions during my 40 years, but when the thought did occur, it usually was around the idea that I could make a better salary and probably wouldn’t have nearly as much stress.
What I am suggesting, is that our very relationship with money can affect us both emotionally and spiritually. Matthew 6:24 says, “You cannot serve God and wealth.” Despite my best intentions, I have frequently given far too much worth to wealth. If to worship is to “give worth to,” then at times I have engaged in a form of idolatry. How about you?
