Hammers are very similar to money. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at some of the things they have in common. They both…
- …are tools.
- …can be used to build up or destroy.
- …are amoral.
- …don’t have any power until they’re in a person’s hand.
I realize in church circles it can make people uncomfortable to talk about money, but it shouldn’t be that way. The Bible is very clear in saying wealth comes from God, as well as how to use that wealth, so why should that be uncomfortable? Here are some of the things the Bible says about wealth:
- If we honor God, He blesses our work (Proverbs 3:9-10).
- If we take the glory for our success, God calls us “foolish” (Luke 12:16-21).
- Money can be used to build God’s kingdom (Acts 4:34-37) or to build our own reputations (Acts 5:1-11).
- Making the pursuit of money our priority becomes an idol (Luke 16:10-13).
- The anxiety over money can choke our spiritual life (Matthew 13:22).
- God gives us the ability to work, to make money, and to enjoy both the work and the rewards of work (Ecclesiastes 5:19).
- God alone judges our attitude toward money (Luke 16:15).
It’s not money that is immoral, but our pursuit of Money (with a capital “M” or what the Bible calls Mammon) that is immoral.
It’s not money that will ruin us, but our trust in money that will ruin us.
It’s not money that gives us a secure future, but God Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
Don’t envy people with more money than you. Don’t look down on people with less money than you. Don’t—as Jesus said to the Pharisees—justify your opinions and attitudes about money.
Craig T. Owens 