The Good Lifeಮಾದರಿ

Day 5: The Truth About Money:
Today, we’re uncovering the truth about money.

Would you believe that Jesus talked more about money than heaven? It’s true. The truth about money—specifically its significance, value, and purpose—is a subject God knows we all need to hear, live, and apply to our daily lives. The trouble has been the misrepresentation and misappropriation of these biblical truths. But just because someone has distorted or perverted the truth does not make it any less authentic.

So, let’s dive into the truth about money.

Truth #1: God Owns It All

As obvious as this statement may be, it is and will forever be the truth. Everything belongs to God—the earth and everything in it, plus all of its wealth and resources. Consider these verses found in your Bible:

“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8, NKJV).

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine” (Psalm 50:10-11, NKJV).

God is the very author of life and everything it beholds, but many people quickly forget this truth when they achieve some level of success. Every time someone says, “I built this multi-million-dollar organization,” or “I make millions of dollars each year,” what they really should be saying is, “God has helped me achieve this success.” It’s amazing how many who take the credit for their success were the same ones crying out to God for help during a time of bankruptcy or poverty!

Truth #2: Money Is a Gift from God

Would you agree that having money is a good thing? Of course, it is. We need it to live our everyday lives, lay up an inheritance, and promote the gospel throughout the world. It’s a good thing, and the Bible clearly states that every good thing in this life — including money — is a gift from God (James 1:17). The book of Ecclesiastes explains this in further detail: “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him the power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19, NKJV).

Did you see that? Riches and wealth are gifts from God! But God has never given anything to anyone without a defined purpose, intrinsic value, and eternal significance. This includes the gift of money. God’s blessings of financial increase aren’t just so you can buy another car, a bigger house, or have a nice vacation. There’s nothing wrong with any of these, as long as you first understand God’s specific purposes designated to your wealth.

Truth #3: Money Is Essential for Life

If you don’t think money is a necessity for life, then do this simple exercise: Instead of getting dressed for work tomorrow morning, call your boss and say, “I’m not coming in today, tomorrow, or any other day! I quit. Take my cubicle and give it to someone else.” Then, about a month later when you’re knocking on people’s doors asking for help to pay your electric bill, you’ll see the importance of having money.

There’s a scripture in the Bible concerning money that most Christians probably have never heard. Allow me to shed some light on it: “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19, NKJV).

Truth #4: Wealth Is More than Money

I’ve often heard it said that if you want to feel rich, start by counting the things you have that money can’t buy. While the majority of society thinks wealth and money are synonymous, that is not always the case. Wealth encompasses far more than a healthy bank account, large retirement accounts, and profitable investments. Money alone can never ensure someone’s inner peace, joy, mental health, emotional stability, salvation, righteousness, or the power of God working in their life. Those are some of the signs of true wealth.

Truth #5: Money Is a Tool

We live in a day when the Kingdom of God is expanding at a record pace. Daily, people are turning their hearts to Jesus and accepting His grace and forgiveness into their lives. One reason for this evangelical explosion is the fact that people are hearing the gospel now more than ever through television, the Internet, streaming video, conference calls, mass evangelistic crusades, etc. One thing all of these have in common: They cost money to be effective!

I could write an entire 7-day plan about just money from a biblical perspective. But once again, success is not only about money and wealth. I hope that through these truths I've shared, you have a healthier understanding and perspective of money.