MondayMONEYdevotion What do you reach for first when you need direction about money? On my morning walk, I was talking with God about the business He gave me. I do that often. Daily to start each work day. I take the questions, the decisions, and the things I do not yet understand back to Him. That morning, I felt my body slow down. It was strange. I have a pace when I walk, but suddenly I felt as though I was moving in slow motion. So I asked, "God, what is going on? What do You want me to slow down for?" At first, I thought it might be a house I was passing. There were squirrels and birds, so I prayed and kept walking. A couple of blocks later, I stopped. There was a man sitting on his front porch, reading his Bible. He was so intent on the Word that he did not notice me standing on the sidewalk, watching him read. And I thought, how often do you seek every other voice before you pick up the Bible? You may look for an article, a headline, a lender, a friend, or somebody online who sounds certain. You may ask what they say about earning, giving, saving, debt, work, and provision. Then, after all of that has gone wrong and left you feeling alone and confused, you may finally ask what God said. But God already gave you His Word. He has not left you without direction. The Bible tells you to seek Him first. Not after you have listened to every opinion. Not after you have made yourself more anxious. First. The God who made all of this knows what He is talking about. Today, pause, pray, and pick up the Word. Ask God what He is saying to you about the money decisions in front of you. Then sit still long enough to hear Him. Prayer Father, forgive me for looking everywhere first and asking You last. Teach me to seek Your wisdom before I take hold of another opinion. Give me a willing heart to read Your Word, receive Your direction, and obey what You show me. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 NIV