In God I Trust.

Which comes first: the trust or the money?

Standing in line holding my two one-dollar bills (circa 1985 and 1996) waiting to pay for my cold drink while waiting for the gentleman in front of to redeem his lottery ticket allowed me just enough time to contemplate the meaning of the message, "IN GOD WE TRUST" imprinted on the currency here in the United States.

As I folded and unfolded the bills in my hand, it left me asking the question, do I?

How much of my trust in God is associated with the size of my bank account?

This question disturbed me for I realize that depending on what day it is my trust level fluctuates.I am afraid that lately I have put entirely too much emphasis on money. It is almost an addiction for when I don’t have it I want it and when I have it, I usually want more. That it an indication that it has a grip on me and like any addiction, the more I grip it, the more it grips me. Okay, perhaps I am exaggerating, I don't LOVE money, but I really like having it.

Power, property, prestige and possessions, these are some of the thngs Jesus cautioned folks about.

As I waited for the man to use his $3 winnings to purchase more tickets I was left wondering...how much is the lottery worth?

I mean, what if God led me to little store today on a whim thinking that I was purchasing a drink, when in reality I bought the 25 million-dollar lottery ticket? Just think of the good I could do with over 12 million after tax dollars. Heck, I could set up a ministry on the Amalfi Coast.

I know, it is a silly thought... the odds of winning are... not so good; but what if?

When it was my turn to complete the purchase, Like a good American I pulled out my money clip grabbed a five and took a chance on putting my trust in God.