March 5, 2004

"Why are all these preachers talking about money right now?  I don’t want to hear about it!"  Have you heard people say that?  Have you said that?  There are those who are accepting biblical teaching on money and there are those who are opposing it.  So what is going on anyway?  God doesn’t want division in His body and we need to all seek to come to the truth.

Many people believe that money is the root of evil and that we should not spend time talking about it.  They believe that we should not want money and they oppose teaching about money—at least teaching that says God wants to get money into our hands.  They say they want to hear about God’s love, joy and peace.  They say they want to hear about the spiritual side of things and forget all this money talk.  (But would these same people move to another city for a higher paying job without praying about it?)

Their motive may seem noble and humble enough but the Bible has much to say about money.  Teachers and preachers of the Word of God would be neglectful of their call if they ignored the subject of money.  We can’t avoid a subject because it makes people nervous or angry.  The preaching of the Gospel always angers some and attracts others.  Many people falsely believe that those who are preaching about money right now are promoting covetous but in reality, those who are teaching sound biblical principles about money are doing the exact opposite.  They are trying to expose the deceptive, covetous attitude that is trying to keep the subject of money ignored.  The devil does not want the body of Christ being taught about money because many Christians, unfortunately, are serving money.  It has become an idol and a god to them and he wants to keep it that way.  Sound biblical teaching will expose this trap that has many Christians bound and deceived.

"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 16:13

This word mammon means riches, an extreme desire for wealth and wealth in the sense of worshiping as a false god.  There are multitudes of people, non-Christian and Christian alike, who are serving mammon.  All this teaching on money is intended to pull out an idol and a stronghold of covetous and rebellion against God.  This is why so many people are against it.  If it’s proper, biblical teaching it will emphasize the necessity of putting God first—even over your money.  This is why it makes many angry and nervous.  They want to remain in control of their money.  They’re not willing to submit to God in this area yet.

I think a big reason is because of fear.  It takes faith to turn your money over to God.  And if you don’t feel you can trust God then you will have trouble doing so.  If you have struggled with lack and debt in your life then you may not feel you can trust God with your money.  You may feel you have to remain in control of it.  But that hoarding attitude will only stop up the flow of God’s blessings to you.  It will make things worse, not better.

"Give and it shall be given unto you…" Luke 6:38

The Word of God teaches us what our attitude toward money should be.  We need to hear about it.  That doesn’t mean that everyone who teaches about money is teaching the truth.  There are teachers of the Word who are not sincere in their motives.  But that doesn’t mean we throw out the whole subject because of a few counterfeits.

I’d like to encourage you to take a look at your own opinion and attitude towards money.  Examine your heart.  Ask God to show you the truth. If we truly want Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our life then that means He is to be the Lord (owner) of our money also.  And you can trust Him.  He has your best interest at heart!