...Money...

What is the purpose of money to a Christian? I have heard so many heated discussions on this topic. And upon hearing these discussions, I have started to realize that a lot of Christians fear money. They fear wealth. I can understand why. Money tends to be the root of many problems in the church, in a marriage, in a family, in a lot of places. I have done a lot of thinking about what money means to me and I have come to realize that money in itself is not be feared, but how we let it control our lives.

One thing that I have come to understand is that money offers a false sense of security. Money pays our bills, it provides us with what we want and need. When you look at your bank account, there is a comfort there to see that what you have worked hard for, is building up. It gives you a sense of security and pride. Not saying that this is bad. But we must be careful not to look at money as our security but instead see it as a blessing from the Lord who is our security.

Money, I think, should be used to help others, to give away. This is something that the Lord has really, and I mean really, taught me. I use to buy so many things, because I was insecure about who I was and how I looked and I truly believed that if I bought this one thing, it would be all that I needed. But soon I would tire of it and I would be on the search for something greater. I learned the hard way, that buying things contributes absolutely nothing to the hearts capacity for joy. Actually, nothing contributes to the hearts capacity of joy except the Lord. Our spouses, our families, our homes, our occupations. This is something that some of us do not realize until everything we thought that fulfilled us is stripped away. Only then do we see that none of it truly fulfilled us. Because our fulfillment doesn't come from money, things or people. It really does come from knowing the Lord and the Lord knowing us. Andrew Murray said "The giver is more than the gift; God is more than the blessing. And our being kept waiting on Him is the only way for our learning to find our life and joy in Himself."

With all of that said, I am not saying that we should just give all of our money away and never have any. I think it is wise to invest, to save, to build up and to spend a little. But what we shouldn't do is invest, save, build up and spend INSTEAD of giving away. Invest and give, save and give, build up and give, spend and give.

John Piper wrote: "Why does God bless us with abundance? So we can have enough to live on, and then use the rest for all manner of good works that alleviate spiritual and physical misery. Enough for us; abundance for others..."

I think this is how we should view money as Christians. We should not fear it, but be joyful when we are blessed with it, for we are able to help and give to others. We are vessels created by and for God, to show forth His power and goodness. And I fully believe that one of the ways He does this is by blessing us, so that through us, He can abundantly bless others. Soli deo gloria: Glory to God alone.