Where does all the money go?

If you're reading this post then there is a very high probability that you are rich. You may not think you are, but you are. Take a look at this chart from Global Rich List. If you make just over $2,000 a year you are in the top 15% of the wealthiest people in the world.

So why do we struggle to make ends meet? Why do we never seem to have enough money to get what we need (or want)? Take a look at these statistics from Money Central:

• About 43% of American families spend more than they earn each year.


• Average households carry some $8,000 in credit card debt.


• Personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade.

If we are so rich, why are we in so much debt?

This is really a topic for a book rather than a blog post and there are many books out there to choose from. The Bible has much to say about money, again, there is enough for an entire book. However, I came across a verse yesterday that really hits home with what we find in our country.

Haggai 1:5-6 (ESV)
⁵ Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.
⁶ You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Does this sound like you? It sure sounds like me sometimes.

The background on this text is that after the people of Israel had returned to their land from Babylon they built their own houses first with the wood that they purchased from Tyre and left the temple still in ruins. God was holding back his blessings from them because they were holding back from God.

I am not suggesting that our debt is caused because we don't give enough to the church. I'm not saying if you do give more you'll get more. What I am saying, is just like Israel when they returned from captivity, our priorities are not right.

If we can begin to put God first, we won't necessarily make more money, but we will be satisfied with what we do have.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.