Money is an absolute necessity in our world. Without it we wouldn’t have food to eat or clothes to wear. We wouldn’t have a place to seek shelter from the elements. Without money we wouldn’t be able to get an education or practice proper hygiene. Life would be much more difficult.
On the contrary, too much money also poses difficulties; perhaps even larger ones. Too much money can cause corruption and greed. An excess of money can give us a false sense of security and well being. We can fall into the belief that money will solve all of our issues and make us happy, but as Benjamin Franklin said, “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.”
Therefore, on both ends of the spectrum, money can pose problems. However, there isn’t anything inherently evil about money. The real issue lies in our relationship with money.
God has provided a fountain of financial wisdom to help us in our relationship with money. Did you know the bible has over 2,350 verses that deal with money, possessions and wealth? That’s more than the verses on faith and prayer combined (1000)! Why does God talk so much about money?
As I thought about this, an insight came to mind. Money is a system that works on trust. A $20 bill has no intrinsic value. The paper, ink and labor used to make the bill does not cost $20. The only reason a $20 bill is worth $20 is because society believes it is worth $20. Society believes if I receive a $20 bill I can then use that money to purchase goods and services. If society collapsed and everyone needed the basics to survive, paper money would have little to no value. Money is a system that functions on faith, trust and belief.
Interestingly, this is primarily how our relationship with God works as well. We believe in God through faith and we trust Him and His character. This could be why the Bible talks so much about money because it vies for our faith and trust; something it was never meant to have. God is meant to be the person of our full faith and trust. Money will always leave us bankrupt.
If you could put a monetary value on your faith and trust, what would it be? A thousand dollars? Or perhaps 1 million dollars? Whatever the value, God paid the highest price for your faith and trust. The price was the life of His Son. The God of the universe paid the ultimate cost to give you more riches than you could imagine.
Be blessed.
Want to connect with God in the day to day? Click the menu at the top and enter your email for weekly fingerprintss devotionals!
fingerprintss 