God's Perspective About Money

There is a great need in Christianity to get back to the basics of God's Word.  This is true whether we're talking about salvation, sanctification, service, or finances.

We have one purpose for anything we do in this lifetime - that is to glorify God.  If our day-to-day lives DON'T reflect that service, then WE'RE NOT SERVING GOD.

The financial principles given throughout God's Word are not there to see if we're strong enough to live by them; they're given because God knows that they are the BEST for us.  God's principles of finances are not an arbitrary set of rules by which to govern us; they are a loving Father's wisdom to those who will listen and trust Him.

Christ teaches about finances

It was surprising that Jesus talked so much about money.  16 out of His 38 parables were concerned on how to handle money and possessions.  And there are over 2,350 verses in the Bible about money and possessions as compared to verses about prayers that has only 500 and a fewer than 500 about faith.  The reason for this is simple - He chose a topic with which everyone could identify to use as an example.

Christ never said money or material things were problems.  He said that they are symptoms of the real problems.  He constantly warned us to guard our hearts against greed, covetousness, ego, and pride, because these are the tools that Satan uses to control and manipulate this world.

How we handle money affects our fellowship with the LORD

Luke 16:11 reads, "If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?"  In this verse, Jesus equates how we handle money with the quality of our spiritual life.  We can translate this verse into this:

• Handle your money properly according to the principles of the Scripture, your fellowship with Christ will grow strong; or
• If you manage money unfaithfully, your fellowship with Him will suffer.

In short, following God's financial principles draws us closer to Christ.

Possessions competes with the LORD

Matthew 6:24 reads, "No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money."

Can you see the competition between the LORD and our earthly possessions?  See how Jesus describes it?  It's completely the opposite:  hate vs. love; devoted vs. despise!!!  This only shows that it is impossible for us to serve money even in a small way and still serve the LORD.

Much of life revolves around the use of money

Anytime that our financial position is threatened, we get feisty!  It is because we know and understand that it takes money to run a family, it takes money to run a home, and it takes money for us to feel and look good.

Conclusion

Jesus talks about money so much because He wants us to know His perspective on this critical area of our life.