Make-Believe: Fun or Folly?

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall."

(Proverbs 18:10-11)

Children enjoy the world of make-believe. They often pretend to be certain people, or they act out certain careers. Ask children what or who they enjoy pretending to be in their imaginations. If children are older, ask what they used to pretend to be. Share one of your own childhood fantasies. Point out that pretending can be a lot of fun — as long as we can distinguish make-believe from reality. Ask what might happen if the children really believed that they were superheroes, princesses, or doctors.

The Bible tells us that some people think gaining wealth is the most important goal in life. These people believe that money will keep them safe and secure. However, the Bible tells us that a belief in the power of money is make-believe. What can happen to people who make gaining wealth their number one goal? Here are some possible answers:

• They may not be happy because they will never have enough money.
• They may worry that their money will be stolen or lost.
• They may be tempted to do anything to get more money — even things that might not be legal or moral.
• They may have a lot of people who pretend to be their friends just to have access to their money.
• They may value gaining money more than spending time with family or friends.

Point out that while money is important to help us take care of life's necessities, there is a danger in focusing on gaining money more than on gaining God's favor. Money is really one of God's gifts to us. God wants us to be good stewards of our wealth and possessions.

The Bible tells us that God is our "strong tower." Children and adults, alike, can run to God and be safe from all of life's problems. God will always take care of us. God will give us what we need, although not necessarily everything we want. Our focus is to be on God, not on money. Only God's protection is real — trusting in money is just make-believe!

Prayer

Dear God, you are like a strong tower. You always take care of us and meet our needs. Help us to be strong believers in you, to trust in you always, and to be good stewards of money. Amen.

Discussion Questions

• When you have given money or possessions to a person in need or to a worthy organization, how did giving make you feel?
• Spend time pretending you have just been given a lot of money. In what ways could you use that money to help others? (You may want to give children a stack of play money to make this game more fun.)
• Many times, people's needs are satisfied with a response or action that does not require money. Can you think of some of these types of needs? How can you help meet these needs?
• How does sharing and giving money help us grow in Christian faith?

Janet Zimmerman is an ordained United Methodist deacon, who serves as Christian Education Director at Church of the Lakes in Canton, Ohio.

Posted in 2005.