End Money AnxietySýnishorn

Christ is the Head of Relationships, Not Money

When money plays a role in relationships, it tears them apart. It is used for manipulation, self-gain, and disempowerment. This is called a relational money disorder, and you might have money anxiety because money is playing a big role in your relationships. 

If you struggle with this, you might feel pressured to give money to your kids when you don’t have it in your budget. You might lie about your spending and other financial decisions to your spouse. Or you might be sharing too much information about your finances with your children and others. 

Here, it is important to acknowledge that Christ is the head of our relationships. Money is not governing our relationships, Christ is.

In Acts, we see an extreme example of money playing a deadly role in a marriage. Acts 5 tells of a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who sell a piece of land to give money to the church. However, they lie about how much profit they made and keep some for themselves.

Ananias lies to the church, and then ends up dead. Sapphira is roped into the lie, but didn’t realize Ananias was exposed. She lied too, then died.

It’s an extreme story, but what we see here is God is so invested in preserving the relationships in the early church, that he doesn’t let relationships tainted by the love of money to exist in this community. 

We also see Judas betray Jesus over money. When he realizes that he destroyed a relationship over money, he throws the coins down in the temple and goes to die. 

Money can spoil relationships when we put it in control.

God wants us to have relationships where money doesn’t enter in and force us to manipulate and lie. He wants vulnerability and authenticity. He wants us to empower each other, not by giving more money but by pointing others to the heart of Christ.

He wants Christ to be the head of our relationships, not money.

To end money anxiety, we must realize:

• Money is not evil and we can use it to take care of our needs.
• Money is not a god to worship.
• Money shouldn’t spoil relationships.

On the other side of money anxiety is joy. It’s possible to have both joy and money. But it requires healing our disordered relationships and returning to God’s intention with money.

Was this Plan helpful? If so, learn more about practical, Biblical joy at https://nealsamudre.com/money-plan/.