We are now all too aware of the probability of difficult days ahead, when the right choices may mean the difference between disaster and survival.

Those choices are always there, but the present climate throws them into stark relief.

The Bible has some interesting things to say about choice, and many of those things touch on our attitude to wealth.

Jesus declares unequivocally that no-one can serve two masters: "For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.

"You cannot serve God and mammon!"

In the book of Joshua, chapter 15, we find the following completely open invitation: "… and if this seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … the gods which your father served? … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

In Psalm 52 we find a warning about a man who failed to make the right choice: "Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness."

Jesus told his followers: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses." He also tells us that where our heart is, there will our treasure be also.

Many of these words will be very familiar – they have always sounded good, but now may well be the time for us to think them through more carefully and make that vital decision as to where our true loyalties lie.

Whom do we really trust – our Heavenly Father or the world of finance?

See Matthew 6.24, Joshua 24.15, Luke 12.15, Matthew 6.21 and Psalm 52.7.