Let Love Lead
… In Our Money – Part I

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Key Verse: Psalms 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

In all my pastoral ministry, I have struggled with preaching about money. I have no doubts what the Bible teaches about God and money. My struggle was because I knew that the mention of money made many of my congregates nervous.

A popular excuse for people to not attend church or give generously is “all the church wants is my money”. Of course, this is not true, but there are enough exceptions that far too many people believe it.

The good news about money is that God’s truth teaches us the best lessons on how to look at our money and how to use it wisely. This week I want to delve into the scriptures that really help us, as Christ-followers, to make money a blessing rather than a destructive and discouraging element in our lives.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy to teach God’s people about the negative effects of 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)

Let’s decide to learn how to enjoy the money God grants us and to use it as He intends.

The first lesson about money is to acknowledge that the Lord owns it all to start with and really believe that in our hearts! God warned His people long ago about the wrong attitude about money:

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.’” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

I realize that we may say at times “I work hard for my money”, but let’s catch ourselves when we think this way and reframe it: “God gave me the strength to work for money”.

Why is this lesson so important?

If we get the idea that it is “our” money, then we can start getting selfish with it. If we really believe it is God’s money, then when we feel He is directing us on how to use it, we can freely say, “it’s your money God, I’ll obey whatever you say!”. God rewards this attitude, according to God’s Word:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21)

Join me in renewing your commitment in acknowledging that God owns all that we have or ever will have.

Father, I am grateful for the money You have entrusted to me. Help me to manage it as a good steward, for Your glory. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.