February 17th, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
What Is Your Attitude Toward Money?
Our attitudes and habits concerning money begin their development in the early years of our lives, often through observing our parents and other adults.
One day a young boy was with his mother at the grocery store and as they were checking out, the cashier handed the boy a candy bar. The little boy’s mother said what parents often say: “What do you say to the cashier, son?” The little boy replied, “Charge it!” (Likely, his mom was looking for “thank you”)
On another occasion a young girl was with her mother at the ATM and her mother was letting her push the right buttons. When the money was dispensed into the tray, the little girl squealed excitedly, “Look, Mommy, we won!” (We might wish it worked that way!)
The Wall Street Journal published an article with an anonymous quote that defined money as “an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.” The writer might have added that money is also a provoker of covetousness and competition, and it is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
What the Bible said so long ago is still true: The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10).
Clement of Alexandra, a Christian theologian born in the 2nd century, said: “Wealth is like a viper, which is harmless if a person knows how to take hold of it; but if they do not, it will entwine round his hand and bite him.”
Billy Graham said: “If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.”
We have been wandering as a church family through a series of messages titled, A 40 Day Journey to a More Generous Life with the help of the daily devotions available through our 40 Days App (downloaded free from App Store on your phone using the words givewithjoy). We are learning biblical concepts about generosity. The devotions can be read or listened to through audio. The sermons have been explaining ways generous giving may strengthen our financial and spiritual lives.
You know, Jesus talked about money more than any other subject because he saw how our attitude toward material possessions indicate the place God holds in our lives. My father used to say, “If you want to know what a person’s priorities are, just take a look at the check register in his checkbook.”
Your attitude toward God will guide your use of earthly resources, including money. This Sunday we will continue our series of messages with Generous Giving… (Part 3) …Allows You to Bring Order to Your Finances based on Proverbs 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 14:22-23; Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10-11. Keep praying for God to guide you and direct your stewardship of the material blessing God has provided.
Striving for generous living,
Jon
What Is Your Attitude Toward Money?
Our attitudes and habits concerning money begin their development in the early years of our lives, often through observing our parents and other adults.
One day a young boy was with his mother at the grocery store and as they were checking out, the cashier handed the boy a candy bar. The little boy’s mother said what parents often say: “What do you say to the cashier, son?” The little boy replied, “Charge it!” (Likely, his mom was looking for “thank you”)
On another occasion a young girl was with her mother at the ATM and her mother was letting her push the right buttons. When the money was dispensed into the tray, the little girl squealed excitedly, “Look, Mommy, we won!” (We might wish it worked that way!)
The Wall Street Journal published an article with an anonymous quote that defined money as “an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.” The writer might have added that money is also a provoker of covetousness and competition, and it is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
What the Bible said so long ago is still true: The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10).
Clement of Alexandra, a Christian theologian born in the 2nd century, said: “Wealth is like a viper, which is harmless if a person knows how to take hold of it; but if they do not, it will entwine round his hand and bite him.”
Billy Graham said: “If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.”
We have been wandering as a church family through a series of messages titled, A 40 Day Journey to a More Generous Life with the help of the daily devotions available through our 40 Days App (downloaded free from App Store on your phone using the words givewithjoy). We are learning biblical concepts about generosity. The devotions can be read or listened to through audio. The sermons have been explaining ways generous giving may strengthen our financial and spiritual lives.
You know, Jesus talked about money more than any other subject because he saw how our attitude toward material possessions indicate the place God holds in our lives. My father used to say, “If you want to know what a person’s priorities are, just take a look at the check register in his checkbook.”
Your attitude toward God will guide your use of earthly resources, including money. This Sunday we will continue our series of messages with Generous Giving… (Part 3) …Allows You to Bring Order to Your Finances based on Proverbs 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 14:22-23; Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10-11. Keep praying for God to guide you and direct your stewardship of the material blessing God has provided.
Striving for generous living,
Jon
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