Love of Money

I have been pondering money for awhile now. Mainly, because it is the biggest factor in why I decided to home school my oldest daughter and it had to do with a huge misunderstanding that I had last year and this year over school...something I am still working on.

But...the Bible says "The love of money is the root of all evil." WOW - that is huge - I am not even sure I entirely get that. Do I love money? The root of all evil? What does that mean? ALL evil? I am not even going to pretend I have the answers for that.

A friend mind always challenges me in this because I am ALWAYS working. I am ALWAYS looking for another job to do. Another way that I can contribute to our financial needs.
Do I want to be rich - no not really. I just want enough that I don't feel like I can't buy a new shirt if I need or want to. I am thankful that both my husband and I are not shoppers. I want just a bit more than I actually need. I also feel that I SHOULD contribute to our financial needs. But my friend challenges me in that.

I grew up with a single HARD WORKING mom that got things done. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders and raised my sister and I the best she knew how. Work hard, pay your debts, take care of yourself and you will have what you need. She taught me A LOT more believe me. But I am listing things that relate to this topic. So often growing up there was not a lot of money. We did not have a lot of extras. But we had what we NEEDED and we learned to be responsible and I know that as I parent my daughters I can tell a lot of what my mom taught me is what I want and do pass on to my girls.

With that said - I think that environment put in me this underlying thought or belief that we need more because we don't have enough. I don't have that extra, that I think I need or want. My friend challenges me a lot - is that true? It's not a bad thing that I have that belief. It is is what it is. An unconscious belief that may or may not be true?

My hard working husband works a lot and pays for our financial needs. Our bills are taken care of. Is that enough? I say yes! And sometimes I need to remind myself of that. Do I drive a new car? No, but I have what I need and it is a nice older car. Do I have a huge custom home that has everything I ever wanted? No, but I have a new home that is big enough and is nice. It is enough and more than others have.

Do I have a lot of toys-boats, RV's, trips around the world? No, but I have an old tent trailer and enough money to get away a few weekends a year. That is enough!!

Are my basic needs taken care of? YES! As long as I can say that...then maybe this underlying belief that I have is wrong. Maybe it is ok for me to happy to not work so much. (keep that relative to what I am saying - it is good to work hard for your needs.) But take care of what I have. Be a good steward of what I have. Sure I do have a couple P/T cleaning jobs and I will keep them but I do I need to have 10 - probably not if I can't take care of what I have. If it interferes with me being a good mom and wife.

So something I am pondering...enough is enough. And the rest keeps me trusting in God to make sure I have enough. And He does! Always!