Myth 3: Christians should not have lots of money
Wrong! Whilst our God tells us not to desire money & not to place security in it above Him; He never teaches that it is wrong to have money. He expects us to use the money He gives us to bless others. And a positive side effect of this is that a generous and giving spirit enhances our own lives.
I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself criticising Christians who have lots of money. Is this provoked by self-righteousness, envy or a desire for right living? Have you removed the “plank” in your eye before attempting to remove “specks” from others?
Personally, I’d rather global wealth and resources were in the hands of those who are properly disciplined and informed by the Christian world view than have it abandoned into the servants of Mammon.
However, consider this. You’re walking through town one day & you see a homeless person in great need. Your heart is stirred & you offer them £20 for food. Yet 15mins later see that person coming out of the off licence with alcohol rather than food. How do you feel?
I guess you feel annoyed, frustrated & cheated; this was not the purpose of you giving that person money. But yet we do this to God all the time. We spend money that He has given us on stuff that He didn’t intend for us to have.
So Christians can & should work hard for money, but should consider how & where they invest it.
1 Timothy 6, “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food & clothing, we will be content with that.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation & a trap and into many foolish & harmful desires that plunge men into ruin & destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s… don’t put your hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
(Tomorrow “Making Money Work”)
I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself criticising Christians who have lots of money. Is this provoked by self-righteousness, envy or a desire for right living? Have you removed the “plank” in your eye before attempting to remove “specks” from others?
Personally, I’d rather global wealth and resources were in the hands of those who are properly disciplined and informed by the Christian world view than have it abandoned into the servants of Mammon.
However, consider this. You’re walking through town one day & you see a homeless person in great need. Your heart is stirred & you offer them £20 for food. Yet 15mins later see that person coming out of the off licence with alcohol rather than food. How do you feel?
I guess you feel annoyed, frustrated & cheated; this was not the purpose of you giving that person money. But yet we do this to God all the time. We spend money that He has given us on stuff that He didn’t intend for us to have.
So Christians can & should work hard for money, but should consider how & where they invest it.
1 Timothy 6, “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food & clothing, we will be content with that.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation & a trap and into many foolish & harmful desires that plunge men into ruin & destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s… don’t put your hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
(Tomorrow “Making Money Work”)
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