Money. We all want it. We all work for it. We all need it to survive.
Some work their lives away for it. Some would die or kill for it.
For what? Security...Power...Status...Possessions…
But, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s not that black and white.
Mortgage payments...Sky high rent...Car repairs...Medical bills...Student loans...Groceries...
The list goes on and on.
Oftentimes in the Church we quote the Bible saying, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” (1 Timothy 6:10). We proclaim that money does not have a hold over us, that we don’t care about power or status or material possessions. We quote Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money,” and claim to work only as unto the Lord...or unto our family?
The truth is, while we quote these Scriptures from God’s Word frequently, and we fervently proclaim freedom from the need to climb the corporate ladder, we in the same breath worry about providing for our families, about unexpected car repairs, about seemingly never-ending debts. We may be free from the “love of money” in the world’s eyes, but what about in God’s?
Church, we are deceiving ourselves if we think we don’t care about money. Sure, we may not worry about having the nicest car, but what about having the biggest savings, the least amount of medical bills, or the most organic groceries?
If we really are free from the love of money, not concerned at all about money, then why are finances one of the biggest causes of disputes amongst Christian married couples? Why is giving such a touchy topic? Why do families leave churches because of money?
This is not to make light of hard situations, believe me. I struggle with money worries more than the average person. Overwhelming medical bills, debts that seem to only rise and rise, not being able to make ends meet—these are all incredibly hard situations that God truly cares about. God sees you. God knows you are hurting. He cares about your heart.
But let’s stop lying to ourselves, brothers and sisters. We care about money. We do. We don’t trust God for our provision and security nearly as much as we should—and I am talking to myself here.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
If we believe the Bible is the Word of God, we have to believe in ALL of it—we can’t pick and choose which parts are true or which parts we want to focus on. The Bible says that God will meet all of our needs. Not some. All. The Bible also calls us to a different standard of living than the world:
Therefore, "’Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord…”
2 Corinthians 6:17
Our call is to be set apart from the world, to live differently. That means not only not being lovers of money in the sense of material possessions, but also not being worriers of money in the sense of our families, our bills, our savings, and our circumstances.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
James 2:5
Church, let’s start being honest about our struggles with money. Let’s be real. And let’s remember the truth of God’s Word: that He is our provider and that He is the one who blesses.