How does God’s good gift of money cause so much pain and destruction? Money itself is a good thing, but the condition of our heart (our sinful nature) doesn’t mix well with it. All of us, in some way or form, desire money or wealth. Greed and covetousness can consume us, tempting us to sin with our finances which causes ripple effects that impact everyone around us. Money deceives us into thinking it can give us the best things in life. However, money is limited, and what money buys us dies, breaks, soils, rots—they don’t last forever. The longing for money corrupts the soul to the extent that people will do literally anything to obtain it (lie, cheat, murder, or steal).
The best example of this sin is Judas Iscariot, who traded Jesus the Messiah for 30 pieces of silver. Judas was a disciple and was in charge of the group's finances (their money box) which he often stole from in secret. He was consumed by money and fooled into the lifestyle and opportunities money could offer him. He went so far as to trade Jesus’ life for it. Judas later regretted his transaction and tried to give the blood money back, but it was too late.
Money offers nothing to us in the end. We came into the world with nothing, and we will go out of it with nothing. Money’s value is greatly praised and prioritized in culture—this is the secular worldview that we cannot accept. Instead, we need to see money through a biblical worldview, which means recognizing where money comes from and what its true purpose is.
What do you desire? What is the object of your affection? Who or what sits on the throne in your heart? Are you choosing to worship the created over the Creator?
RECAP
Part 1 touched on how money is given to us by God and its significance as a cultural symbol that can be exchanged for something we value. However, our sinful nature and greed can deceive (mind) and manipulate (heart) us into believing that what money can buy us is greater than God.
The Greek word, "philarguros", translates as “love of money”, it means to be in love with personal gain or to be a lover of money. Covetousness and avariciousness are strong attributes to this word and can best be summed up as a greed or desire for another person's wealth, property or lifestyle.
THEMATIC VERSE FOR MONEY
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
ABUSING GOD’S GIFT CREATES PROBLEMS: WE CAN & CAN’T SEE
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. (Luke 8:17)
CURRENT ISSUES WITH KNOWN CONNECTIONS TO MONEY EXPLOITATION
Bankruptcy
Black marketing
Drugs
Weapons
Organs
Human trafficking
Identity
Credit
Excessive debt
Foreign labor exploitation
Gambling
Insider trading
Monetary manipulation
Robbery & hustling
& more
CURRENT ISSUES WITH CONCEALED CONNECTIONS TO MONEY EXPLOITATION
Communism & socialism
Foreign, domestic, & corporate corruption
Inflations & recessions
Financial oppression (excessive gov't spending)
High taxation
Endless welfare
Laundering
Lobbying & monopolies
Reserve depletion
Risk of being owned & controlled
Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, & fascism
& more
THE SECULAR WORLDVIEW
Money is essential
Money is earned through a person's efforts
Money is spent according to a person's desires
Money is donated if a person has some to spare
Monetary wealth is greater than spiritual wealth
Those who don't work (involuntarily or voluntarily) should be supported by the government
Those who owe money are just paying it back in portions
The secular worldview of money must be rebuked in love through word & action in humbleness & servitude.
THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Money is a gift and blessing from God
Money is obtained by using the gifts that God has provided (everything we have comes from God)
Money is wisely budgeted for essentials, budgeting is a means of practicing self-control
Money is wholeheartedly regifted to those in need & the church
Spiritual wealth is greater than monetary wealth
Those who voluntarily refuse to work are not to be given money, those in need are assisted with getting back on their feet
Those who owe money are enslaved to their debtors
The biblical worldview of money must be defended by the Church and followers of Christ.
WISE STEWARDSHIP PLEASES GOD
Those who are not trustworthy with their finances and possessions are untrustworthy with spiritual riches.
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Luke 16:13,15
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:29-32
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:22-25
Dear Lord,
Whoever has ears let them hear what Your Spirit has to say.
Amen.
###
Sources: Desiring God, Got Questions
How does God’s good gift of money cause so much pain and destruction? Money itself is a good thing, but the condition of our heart (our sinful nature) doesn’t mix well with it. All of us, in some way or form, desire money or wealth. Greed and covetousness can consume us, tempting us to sin with our finances which causes ripple effects that impact everyone around us. Money deceives us into thinking it can give us the best things in life. However, money is limited, and what money buys us dies, breaks, soils, rots—they don’t last forever. The longing for money corrupts the soul to the extent that people will do literally anything to obtain it (lie, cheat, murder, or steal).
The best example of this sin is Judas Iscariot, who traded Jesus the Messiah for 30 pieces of silver. Judas was a disciple and was in charge of the group's finances (their money box) which he often stole from in secret. He was consumed by money and fooled into the lifestyle and opportunities money could offer him. He went so far as to trade Jesus’ life for it. Judas later regretted his transaction and tried to give the blood money back, but it was too late.
Money offers nothing to us in the end. We came into the world with nothing, and we will go out of it with nothing. Money’s value is greatly praised and prioritized in culture—this is the secular worldview that we cannot accept. Instead, we need to see money through a biblical worldview, which means recognizing where money comes from and what its true purpose is.
What do you desire? What is the object of your affection? Who or what sits on the throne in your heart? Are you choosing to worship the created over the Creator?
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