Your Relationship With Money

I am not a billionaire. Neither am I a financial expert or professional finance advisor. However, I find myself talking about money in recent times. I find this interesting, because it is not something I planned. Please come on this journey with me.

A lot of us struggle with money, especially as Christians. There are many preconceived notions and misconceptions about money. Some even say that ‘Money is the root of all evil’, misquoting the Bible verse that says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1Timothy 6:10 NKJV

Money of itself is neither good nor bad. It is our relationship with it and our usage of it that determines its role in our lives. Everyone would like to be rich, or at least have enough money to attend to all of their needs and wants, in such a way that money is no longer a problem. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want. And like Zig Ziglar is quoted to have said, “Money won’t make you happy, but everybody wants to find out for themselves.”

Our relationship with money determines how we treat it, what we use it for, what we would be willing to do to get it, and what we become when we believe we have it. It is therefore important that we have a healthy relationship with money, because it has a strong impact on how we behave (or misbehave), the quality of our lives and the quality of our relationships.

It is known that money is one of the top causes of divorce in marriages. Money also contributes greatly to immoral and criminal behavoiur.

Money has strong influence over human beings. Money has the ability to puff us up and intoxicate us. It can even blind us to the truth. It can buy us fake friends and get us many pleasures. Yes, money is strong.

Everybody needs money to live in today’s world. It is a means of exchange of value. But it does not determine our value, especially as Christians. We are children of God and of great value in His eyes. That is why He sent His Son to die for us. We must always remember the value God has placed on us and not allow our money challenges shift our focus.

Standing on the word of God and on His promises, we must remind ourselves that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2Pet.1:3), so He is our primary source: of wealth, of health, of wellbeing. Money is a tool by which God can take care of us. But He can also bypass money and directly provide whatever we need. He is the Creator of all things. A good example is how Elijah was fed by the ravens. God commanded the birds to feed him, and they brought bread to him regularly. Elijah did not use money.

In today’s world, some people have had similar experiences where God has provided accommodation and food for those without money, simply by using other people who have been blessed to supply to those in need.  Have we forgotten? Even Jesus paid taxes by getting a fish to provide the money!

What am I saying here? Money is a tool. We must not attach too much importance to it. This is difficult because we know what money can do, how it can make a significant difference in our situation and turn things around. But we must never worship money. God is greater than money. He is the One we must worship. Why worship the creature when you have access to the Creator, the Father of All?

Jesus told His disciples “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.” Matthew 6: 24 NKJV

I want to close by quoting part of Jesus’ closing remarks on this matter:

³¹ “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

With or without money, our Heavenly Father knows what we need, and He will supply!

Amen.