Love of Money
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
If we are following the Lords good, pleasing, and perfect will, how can we tell if we have love for money? If we really examine ourselves we can probably uncover our true feelings about money by our spending and by our giving. A more difficult question to answer concerns our security. Is our security from money or is our security from God? We may be comfortable financially and give generously to the church, but our security may still be in money.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24) We may love the Lord and serve him faithfully, but unknowingly have our security in money. This was my situation a few years back, unaware that money was my security. Fortunately, through some difficult circumstances that occurred when the stock market fell, the Lord revealed to me he was my security and my money belonged to him. If we realize that our money really belongs to the Lord, then we will use it for his glory. This includes paying our bills and taking care of our family, but also giving to where the Lord directs us; church, benevolence, charities, etc. When we use our money for God’s glory, then our money is no longer our security.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48) Whenever I would pray asking the Lord why I am so blessed, while people all over the world are dying from hunger, impure water, or poor sanitary condition; the Lord would say, “The one who given much, much is demanded.” Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Malachi 3:10) This verse tells us that we cannot out give God. I have found this blessing in my life, and giving to help others is more fulfilling than spending money on myself.
The love of money, or money being our security, is a tool Satan will use to separate us from God. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24) Having money is not a sin because we can use it for the glory of God, and if we have a thankful heart that he has blessed with the money we have.
Today realize that everything you have including your money is a gift from God. He was the one who enabled you to achieve all your successes. Remember that everything you have, including your money, is to be used for God’s glory. Today live for God’s purpose through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, being an encouraging light is this world.
Prayer: Lord, help me to truly surrender to you, including all my possessions, my money, and my life. Guide me today through the Holy Spirit and help me to know everything belongs to you and is used for your glory. In Jesus name, Amen