James 5:5 – You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Exactly 160 years ago to the date I preached the sermon this past weekend, Nov. 13, 1861, a man named Rev. M.R. Watkinson wrote a letter that changed history.
During the Civil War, as brothers were fighting against brothers and the country was divided, there was an increase in religious zeal, and many sought God through the war that was ravaging the country.
Rev. Watkinson wrote a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, suggesting that a new motto be added to U.S. currency about God. Can you imagine contacting the government today and them actually listening to you at such a magnitude?
Chase agreed and directed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadephia, to add a statement in tribute to God to U.S. currency saying “Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on national coins.”
In 1864, “In God We Trust” first appeared on U.S. coins and, just a few years later, it appeared on all U.S. paper currency as well.
Less than two centuries later, with rioting and looting, picketing and protesting, it seems our country has strayed about as far from trusting in God as possible, no matter what our money says. Despite what our country decides, determines, and dictates, we as Christians need to still approach the topic of money with trust in God and a heart of generosity for the money He’s entrusted to each of us as, ultimately, it’s God’s money and not our own.
Are there any financial changes you need to make to be a better steward who is worshipping God with wealth?
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