Managing God's Money: Part 2

Perspectives that Impede Faithful Money Management

   Last week we talked about getting into the right mindset about using God's money and being his stewards.  Along with a sinful love of money, there are many "myths" out there about  money and how it is used.  In this section, Randy wants to shine some truth on these false ideas.

Myth #1:  Money is Bad a.k.a Money is the root of all evil.

    We discussed this a little bit last week.  Things cannot be evil - things are inanimate objects that have no feelings or sense of good and bad.  It is the sinful nature of people that makes money SEEM evil.  1 Timothy 6:10 says, "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."  In reality, money is simply a piece of paper that only has value because we say it does.  It is a tool that can be used for the right and wrong reasons. So instead of condemning money, rejoice that God has given us a tool that we can use wisely and generously for building his kingdom.

   Some people take the idea of money being bad so far that they completely get rid of everything they do not need and live as simply as possible.  They see money and objects as evil and distracting our eyes from God.  While this is partially true, we cannot be more spiritual simply by getting rid of things.  God blesses us with gifts so that we can use them ourselves and to bless others.

Myth #2:  It's All About Money (and stuff)

  "God created us to love people and use things, but materialists love things and use people."

        The wanting of things can make us do some pretty stupid things.  Stealing. Cheating. Bribing.  I can think of many times in my past where I hurt someone's feelings because I just had to have something, and it hurts both people involved.  There are many examples of people in the Bible who used people for monetary gain.  Delilah betrayed Samson to the Philistines for a fee, Solomon gained large amounts of gold, silver, and wives against God's commands, and Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. We cannot simply assume that we are immune to temptation of misuse of money.  It's hard to realize that our greatest resources are not material, but spiritual. Are the richest people in the world the happiest?  Many studies on this topic say no, in fact, the opposite!  Contentment is not from the riches of this world, but in the riches of Christ.

       I think one of the biggest areas where we need to promote wise use of money is in children.  We don't have any kids yet, but Matthew and I have already discussed how we want to instill some of these values in our children.  It is one thing to provide for a child, but it's another thing to smother them with things.  Christmas in particular seems to be a time when financial perspectives are skewed.  What's the first thing kids think of when you say the word "Christmas?"  Most likely, they think of all the awesome toys they are going to unwrap and play with, not so much the story of Jesus' birth and time with family.  I admit, that's how I thought of the holiday for a long time growing up.  It is a holiday of EXPECTED gifts, or DESERVED gifts.
 
    So parents work overtime to make enough money to buy the $150 toy set of some kind that isn't exactly in the budget but it would be so worth it to see their child's face light up on Christmas morning.  So the day comes, presents are unwrapped faster than lightning, and played with for a few days until it ends up in the mountain of toys they have acquired over the years.

      Although it is fun to give gifts, the lessons we are unconsciously teaching them don't follow God's idea of good money management.  If we grow up getting whatever we want, there is a good chance that we'll buy whatever we want when we have our own bank accounts.  Things like the misuse of credit cards or using all of their paychecks on wants would be far too common.  And the world doesn't help with the situation much either.  We are bombarded with commercials that say "You need this to be beautiful" or "You will feel powerful if you buy this car."  But sadly the satisfaction will never come if we keep buying these things.  Things that appeal to use in small amounts are unappealing in excess.  We need to be good examples not only for our families, but everyone else too.  "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

      Myth #3 If I Obey God, He Will Give Me More Earthly Things  

          This kind of reminds me of the whole Santa thing where if you are good for the year, Santa will bring you more toys.  Makes sense, right?  Not so much in the Christian sense.  Just because you follow God's will does not mean you will never run out of money or have tragedies happen.  However, if we show God that we wish to follow His commands and care for the possessions we have been given, he is likely to trust us with more since we have shown responsibility.  We should not be obedient to get more things, but because God tells us to.

          Sometimes it seems like the exact opposite of the myth is occurring.  People who do not love the Lord end up with really nice things and lots of money and those who love God, suffer greatly.  "Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?" Job 21:7  Job was obedient to God, yet he lost all of his earthly possessions, family, and his health.  Yet even in all of his sadness and devastation, he trusted in God and His plan."I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart, I have overcome the world," John 16:33

This Weeks Question:  There are plenty more myths out there concerning money that are "busted" by God's Word.  What are some other myths about money that you know of?