The Money Grid: Religion vs Relationship

I believe God wants us to see our money and possessions through a biblical grid made up of 4 key points. If we look at our money and possessions through this GRID it will help us to know what to purchase and what not to, what to save, and what to give away. It will guide us in finding out what we want versus what we need, and where to focus our lives. This Money Grid isn’t complicated, but it is difficult to do and that is because money can have a great hold on us, whether we like to admit it or not.

During faith conversations, people have often said to me, "I am not very religious." And I usually answer, "That’s good neither am I!"

You see when we use the word religion, we are often asking what rules a certain person follows in their pursuit of getting close to God. And if not getting close to God, it may be enlightenment, reincarnation, or paradise. And so, following a religion is based on what you and I do to earn the favor of God.

The Christian life is completely different. Whilst it may be called a religion, it is so important to note that fundamentally Christianity is different from all other faiths in its most vital part. Christianity says that you and I cannot earn a relationship with God. It says that God is perfect and Holy. He cannot be in the presence of sin. And sin is anything that you and I do that is against God’s heart - which if we are honest we have all done, and do more regularly than we would like to admit! That sin separates us from God. And no amount of doing, or behaving, will be able to fix that relationship. We can try, but we will never make the mark.

And so John 3:16 in scripture says…

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Because we would never be able to reach God’s standard, and because of His love for us, God gave his son Jesus to pay the price of our sins. He came to earth and lived a perfect life and then He died as a sacrifice for you and I. He paid the price we could never pay to make us spiritually clean. This allows the divide to be crossed so that we can have a relationship with God. Why? Because He loves us! Each one of us!

If you are reading this today and you don’t know what God thinks about you, He loves you! If you are wondering if you have done too much wrong in the past, He loves you! If you have come across this devotional and are exploring faith, He loves you!

If we believe in Him and receive what He did for us on the cross, we can have a relationship with Him now and for all eternity when we die. AMAZING!

Now why is this the first part of the money grid? It’s because love changes everything!! If we know that Jesus loves us enough to die for us, then the natural response is to want to give back our lives to Him. It is a small way to thank Him for everything He has done for us! It just naturally overflows out of us. We want to give back to Him our time, our abilities, our possessions, and our wealth because His love for us blows us away!

And so, the main point to understand from Part 1 of the Money Grid is that you and I can have a relationship with the living God now and for all eternity. That amazes me again and again each day: this free gift of being saved from my sin! And I can’t help but want to offer my life to Jesus.

So, we need to see our wealth and possessions in light of Jesus, who gave His life because He loved us.

Scripture:

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

John 3:16 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection:

Money and possessions are a significant part of our lives, and how we manage them reflects our relationship with God. Often, people view their financial decisions through a lens of religious duty, focusing on rules and obligations. However, the Christian life is not about following a set of religious rules to earn favor with God. It’s about a relationship with Him—one that is rooted in His love and sacrifice.

God’s love for us is so immense that He gave His only Son to bridge the gap created by our sin. This act of love calls us to respond, not out of obligation but out of a desire to honor Him with every aspect of our lives, including our finances. The first point of the Money Grid is understanding that our relationship with God should shape how we view and use our money. When we grasp the depth of His love, it transforms our perspective on giving, spending, saving, and investing. Our financial decisions become an expression of our gratitude and devotion to Him, rather than a mere fulfillment of religious duty.

Application:

1. Evaluate Your Motivation: Reflect on your current approach to money and possessions. Are your financial decisions driven by a desire to follow rules or by a genuine relationship with God?
2. Shift Your Perspective: Start seeing your money as a tool to express your love and gratitude toward God. Let your relationship with Him guide how you use your resources.
3. Act on Love: Consider how you can use your financial resources to demonstrate God’s love to others. Whether through giving, supporting a cause, or helping someone in need, let your actions be a response to the love you have received from Christ.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your unfathomable love and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Help me to see my money and possessions through the lens of our relationship, not through the rules of religion. May my financial decisions reflect my love and gratitude for all You have done for me. Guide me to be a faithful steward of the resources You have entrusted to me, using them in ways that honor You and further Your Kingdom.

In Jesus' name, Amen.