Money Attitude

One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 2 Kings 4:8

A few years ago, I traveled to India, visiting churches and orphanages which were run by a ministry that we’ve supported for years. It’s difficult, in such a situation, not to feel guilty for having too much. Back home, I knew I had a house and two cars, which was more than anyone had in these mountain villages where people lived in two-room huts. They had so little. Still, when I visited, they fed me and presented me with gifts. Though they were so poor, they were still quite generous. Like I said, faced with such poverty and generosity, it was hard not to feel guilty and selfish for everything I knew I had back home.

My father was a pastor. I’m now a physician. Since becoming a physician then, I’ve always had a little guilt over how much I have, as if being well-compensated was somehow a sin. Passages like today’s then, have helped me put my money in its proper perspective. In the passage, we’re told of a wealthy woman who provided for the prophet Elisha whenever he passed through her town. She had money and, being a prophet, Elisha had nothing, so she fed and cared for him. The story goes on to tell of how she even added on to her home to build him his own room where the prophet could stay during his travels. The woman had much and so, she shared what she had with those who were less fortunate. Having nothing, and doing God’s work, Elisha relied upon those whom God had blessed. This wealthy woman was generous with her money and so, she too was participating in God’s work.

It’s not necessarily how much I have. Rather, it’s my attitude towards my money and what I do with it. A poor man can be greedy, and a wealthy man can be generous. Though this eases my guilt somewhat, I’m still not off the proverbial hook. The question stands – What is my attitude towards my money? Am I generous, giving liberally to charities and helping those who’re less fortunate? Or do I spend every dime I have on me and mine? It’s not wrong to be successful. It is wrong to be greedy and selfish. If my faith is real, it must affect all of my behavior, including how I spend my money.