FULUS! MONEY! PESA!
What I
only recently discovered, and what many may not realize, is that money has a
spirit tied to it. That spirit is called Mammon! This spirit subtly suggests
that with enough money, we can be self-sufficient. That we can have whatever we
want and, therefore, no longer need God. How deceptive this is! Mammon seeks to
replace God, urging us to trust in wealth rather than in the One who provides
it.
We see
this dangerous mindset reflected in Scripture. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus
for thirty pieces of silver. That act of betrayal wasn't just about the coins, it
was about valuing money over the Son of God. Today, we still see this same
worship of money deeply rooted in society. Those who have more often receive
more respect, power, and admiration. Meanwhile, many without it are tempted to
compromise their values just to obtain it.
Yet the Bible gives us clear wisdom in 1 Timothy 6:10 NIV
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Note, it doesn’t say money itself is evil, it says the love of it is.
When money becomes our idol, our focus, or our measure of worth, we drift away
from God’s purpose for it.
I believe
that money is a resource, a tool God gives us to ease life and carry out His
work. When we misuse it or make it the center of our lives, we dishonor the One
who gave it to us. The Bible reminds us:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the
other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and money.”
-Matthew
6:24 NIV
You
cannot serve both God and money.
Everything
we have, our jobs, income, and assets, was first given to us by God. It’s not
just our qualifications or efforts that got us where we are. God placed us in
our respective roles and careers to influence, serve, and bring positive
change.
That’s why
how we use money matters. Budget wisely. Tithe faithfully. Save responsibly.
Help the needy. When we manage our resources with intentionality and
generosity, we become trustworthy stewards of God’s Kingdom.
Generosity
is a reflection of God’s heart. When we give our first fruits, tithes,
offerings, or alms, we contribute to the growth of the ministry and ensure its
legacy continues for generations. Giving empowers the gospel to reach more
people, meet more needs, and transform more lives.
But when
we hold back and become stingy, we hinder the impact we could be making. God
desires a cheerful giver, one whose heart delights in giving because they
understand that everything belongs to Him anyway.
Here’s the
truth: God has already promised to bless us. But He also looks for willing
hearts, those ready to act in obedience and generosity. Giving isn’t a loss;
it’s an act of trust, gratitude, and surrender.
One of the
biggest misconceptions about giving is that “when I have more, then I’ll give.”
But giving isn't about the amount, it’s about the heart. Even the widow in the
Bible who gave two small coins gave more than the rich because she gave out of
faith and sacrifice (Mark 12:41-44).
We don’t
give because we have an abundance. We give because we serve an abundant God.
So today,
I challenge you to look at money through the lens of Kingdom stewardship. Ask
yourself:
- Am I honoring God with what I
have?
- Am I using money as a tool to
bless others?
- Am I allowing Mammon to
influence my decisions?
- How can I be more generous?
Once
again, we must remain faithful and responsible, especially when entrusted with
handling finances. Beyond simply raising funds for various projects, we must
uphold a high standard of accountability, ensuring that every coin is well
accounted for and its use documented. Transparency isn't just a value; it's a
necessity for building trust and maintaining integrity.
Let’s
choose to be faithful stewards, showing the world that our trust is not in
money, but in God alone.
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