Skip to main content

Making Money - Ben Rector

I think its funny that we are so concerned with making money!  The preaching of a poet always makes me think deeper about my life!  Revealing lies that I have believed or just forcing me to ask the simple question Why?  

Why do I work so hard at Tech?  Why do I hold a entry level position at a construction supply company?  Why do I fight my peers to attain a high GPA?  

Then comes the simply motive that has driven many men mad, Money!  The power of Money is traced through every civilization causing brother to kill brother for the lust of Gold.  In our current day we see the results of our past generations as we are disposed towards a life in search of wealth.  We are in search of freedom and this tends to be from the woes of financial crisis.  We run from anything that might impede a comfortable life and typically money can buy away our discomfort.  Therefore the search for money drives folks down a road of selfish desire to trade a life filled with passions for one solely to make money.

Often at Tech I see people who are living simply to get a high paying job and kick back on vacations.  As someone who comes from a family with a father who provides above any beyond our needs I speak from a place of privilege.  Therefore I must reference the lyrics below as I know that life aint cheap.  Simply I will not let my life be ruled by the rat race of making money.  I will not sacrifice dreams, passions, and a life that I Love to the God of Money.

As I study the bible I see so much wisdom in the words of Jesus.  The Pharisees(Jewish religious leaders) fearing the teaching and expansion of his followers desire to trap Christ in words of blasphemy or treason.  Therefore they pose a question to Jesus and you can read Mark 12:13-17.
This wisdom is how I want to approach the money that will make throughout my life.  The greenbacks that I find myself chasing at my Co-Op are simply currency of this earth.  I want to live my life giving to God what belongs to God.  Therefore I will live a life not defined by the things of this world but rather the things that cannot be seen or touched.  I want to live a life that is marked by a chasing after God through my passions, occupation, relationships, and many adventures along the way.  Not really sure how listening to a song simply about how concerned people are about making money transformed into this post but Ill take it.

Making money, it isn't easy
And it sure won't make you happy
So I think it's funny
We're so concerned with making money

And money won't keep folks from grieving
And it won't stop love from leaving
So here's my two cents
What's the use in making money

And I know that life ain't cheap
And not all good things are free
But there is no enough and no too much
and it seems so strange to me
I just think it's funny
We're so concerned with making money

I make my living singing love songs
That I made up 'cause I love songs
But folks believe them
So I'm receiving paper money

Don't get me wrong, I love my lady
And I probably wouldn't trade her
But life's no better with debts or debtors making money

And I know that life ain't cheap
And not all good things are free
But there is no enough and no too much
And it seems so strange to me
I just think it's funny
We're so concerned with making money

Everybody's got their reasons
Finer wines or fairer seasons
If we're truthful, we know we're fools for making money
All is Well,
Paul Shackelford


Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Rise Again - Needtobreathe

I have been reading a book about the arts and Christians role in creating culture.  Steve Turner, the author, asserts a major critique that modern Christian art does not speak about real life.  The art created does not sound genuine or have any ties to real life that people outside the faith can connect with.  While reading the book I listened through this album and I think that this song does a great job of breaking the mold.  The members of Needtobreathe are all outspoken followers of Jesus but very little of the art that they produce mentions Jesus or Christianity at all.  Instead they craft creative music, written from places of pain and joy.   "Rise Again"  steps through pain that occurs in life as we see relationships stretched and torn.  The bitterness of broken hearts and friendships is then contrasted with the truth that we will get up from this pain and rise again.   "I can see us moving on, I can feel that coming on strong", the joy that comes after the
Read more

Twenty-Four - Jess Ray

Lately I have been listening to lots of music and podcasts while working and biking to work.  I was feeling a need for some new music so I turned to NoiseTrade to check out some new artists.  My favorite thus far is Jess Ray because of the honest lyrics, tastefully simple musicality and overall enjoyable listening environment.  While on my flight back to Atlanta I was struck by this song at first because of the drums that propel this song behind the walking guitar.  If I were to add drums to a track like this it would have been done in a very similar manner.  Once I got past the drums I was awe struck by the simple power of these lyrics, take a read below and follow the link to her blog to listen.   To me it was not written for an outward expression of hope or encouragement but rather as a inward proclamation to the soul.  As the psalmist often choose to sing, this song speaks inward in a call to stand up and be reminded of truth all to often forgotten.  As I gear up for the star
Read more

You Will Be My Ain True Love - Alison Kraus

This song has so much power, even if you remove the lyrics.  I just decided to take in the full potential of the song by turning the stereo all the way up and playing the song a few times.  Before even looking for a video of this song I knew it was related to the Civil War and the separation that occurred between loved ones.  This song starts out explaining the battle field and how the soldier has survived the terrors of war.  As the song continues to build you can tell that the soldier wants to be with his love.  They have been separated by this war and now he wants to be back with her.  The last few lines portray his death and how he has been reunited with his "True Love".  I believe that this song describes his "True Love" as God, our eternal True Love. He has returned to his maker after being killed in Battle and this song paints that picture so well. This song has tons of power in the music behind the lyrics, it adds so much to the meaning of this song!
Read more