We live in a material world, yet we are all spiritual creatures. Day after day, we face a series of endless choices on how to earn, spend, save, and give away our money. And in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it can be hard to take our eyes off of our material possessions. After all, we rely on them for so many daily functions! But God’s eyes are set on something bigger for humanity. While He promises to provide for our every need, including our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs (Philippians 4:19), He encourages us to set our eyes on Jesus Christ’s teachings of sacrificial service above all.

When Jesus Christ came to Earth, He exemplified a life of service to others. His teachings are radically different than the way humans naturally conduct ourselves. He challenges our desire for money, self-preservation, and power. And in place, He gives us a roadmap to living with love, humility, and inclusivity, even for our enemies and the marginalized. Day after day, we must try to refocus our mind from materialistic self-preservation to Jesus-led service to others.

Make no mistake: In a world that encourages endless consumption, it is a radical act to be a follower of Jesus Christ! If you’re like me, you may struggle in relationship to your material possessions. Humans love security, and material things can give us a false sense of worldly control. But God helps us see beyond our limited perspective and into a world of spiritual values, where our souls are priceless in His eyes.

A Life of Service

Matthew 20:28

 

The Dangers of Materialism

The quickest way to spiritual death is to focus solely on oneself. Self-preservation is a human defense mechanism, but it destroys the fabric of community. When we worship our material things, we forget to care for the people around us. Over time, a self-centered heart disconnects us from the God-given qualities in us, which enable us to serve, love, and protect others. Jesus warns against materialism in his Sermon on the Mount:

• “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)
• “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.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
• “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)

That last verse sticks with me: “No one can serve two masters.” It’s hard to tow the line between self-interest and service to others. They are on completely different ends of the human spectrum. From our vantage point, we often resort to self-interest because of self-preservation. But ironically, God promises us that a focus on service to others will help us in the long-run: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do…” (Ephesians 6:7).

We have to know which God we worship, is it the Only One Living and True God or the false god of money?

You Cannot Serve Two Masters

Matthew 6:24

 

The Human Tendency to Worship Money

I wish the world was different, but we unfortunately live in a world where humans are prioritizing their possessions more and their relationships less. I know God is deeply upset with the deterioration of His spiritual values on Earth. If Jesus Christ visited me today, I can only imagine His ask of me. “Do you truly love your neighbor? Child, does your money go more toward the help of the helpless or toward your own self-interest?” I’d fumble through my response, showing how I volunteer weekly or where I donate, but the truth is, I have reserved 90% of my life to myself and only 10% of my life to others. Jesus Christ would want this to be radically different, if not entirely flipped. I say this because I’m a work in progress, too!

The reality is: It’s far too easy to idolize money. Our natural world totes material possessions as a means of fulfillment. But when we begin to measure our own lives and the lives of others based on their material weight, our hearts grow hard to others. We lose our ability to love. God-given qualities like compassion for others and sacrificial service fade in pursuit of the rat race.

Look around! We live in a culture that worships wealth. We spend considerable amounts of time and attention exalting public figures that possess more than our neighbors. We follow their footsteps, copy their rituals, and carefully curate the outward appearance of our lives. If we are honest with ourselves, we are very attached to our material things. But this lifestyle is antithetical to the way of Jesus.

If Jesus appeared to you now, asking you to sell your material possessions and follow Him, would you?

 

John 15

 

Cultural Myths About Money

Really quick! I’d like to dismantle modern-day beliefs about money, replacing them with God’s intention for how we steward our cash. Each of these false beliefs reflects the dangers of materialism and its corrosive impact on our spiritual lives.

 

1. Money is the solution to all problems.

Money cannot fix all problems, but God can guide us to beneficial solutions.

Money can never replace a need for God.

All humans possess the fundamental need for physical security, safety, love, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. While money may provide a sense of physical security and safety, money cannot directly provide spiritual fulfillment. Simply put, your character is not up for sale! Morals, respect, common sense, trust, patience, and integrity must be earned in relationships. You can’t buy a pure heart.

Remember: God uses money for the betterment of all, directing our resources to those in need. If you give your heart to God, He promises to provide for our every need (Matthew 6:31-33). But money cannot make the same promise, as it is a band-aid solution to many physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual problems. For example, when we try to use money as a means of love, we often experience relational corruption. Trying to gain admiration, approval, or love by flaunting your material possessions often results in transactional relationships. In contrast, genuine love, forgiveness, and acceptance are not predicated on money, but on true human connection. Now that’s priceless!

2. Money is the key to happiness.

Money may lead to short-term happiness, but God gives everlasting joy.

There is a distinct difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is a fleeting emotion that arises from an external event, whereas joy is a deep, lasting feeling that comes from within. Money may make you happy in the short-term, but it does not have the ability to bring about deep joy and fulfillment. If we use money as a conduit for purpose, we’ll quickly grow bored. We can only experience new things a number of times before they become predictable.

Happiness-chasers are always outrunning the niggling feeling of dissatisfaction, chasing new experience after new experience. Ultimately, our physical world is finite. No matter the amount of money you have, you will run out of new experiences that spark the same happiness high.

Relationship with God is quite different. He gives us meaning, purpose, and fulfillment through relationship with Him, encouraging us to find purpose in service to others. God takes a deep look at our hearts and directs us toward careers, actions, and experiences that spark joy for the long-haul. God also builds lasting relationships and communities, which assist us on our journey. With God, we never travel alone. Where money has a point where it stops producing fruit, God is the vine from which all fruit grows. He propels us to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically in a way where the world never loses its spark.

 

Via Pinterest

 

3. Money will save me.

Money cannot save you in every circumstance, but God can give you the spiritual grit to survive every trial.

Money comes and money goes. As humans, we see and experience daily economic instability and recession regularly. One day, the very things hold onto dearly may worthless. And we certainly can’t take our money to the grave, as the Egyptians believed. Life after death is God’s domain, as is life on Earth. I can assure you, no amount of money, power, or prestige will matter in the end. Thankfully, we have a God who loves us, encourages us, and saves us. A God who sent His Son to atone for our sins, forgiving our immoral and selfish actions on Earth. 

If we give our hearts to God, seeking relationship with Him, we can count on Him to protect us in times of instability. No matter what is going on in the world around us, He is there to give us what we need to make it through each day. A relationship with God bestows courage, confidence, patience, endurance, and faith, which are priceless in times of hardship. And when we trust in Him, we find ourselves with the love, grace, and forgiveness we need to sustain every trial on Earth.

 

 

The Radical Way of Jesus

God loves you for who you are. He doesn’t care about what clothes you wear, what car you drive, what house you live in, or how you keep up with the world’s social trends. God looks at your inner character, asking Himself: do you embody qualities like honesty, integrity, responsibility, compassion, loyalty, and patience? Does your heart seek to love others unconditionally?

When Jesus came to Earth, He dedicated His time on Earth to help the poor and needy. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus instructs: “Give unto yourselves to others.” In other words, followers of Jesus are called to devote their time, energy, and resources to helping others on Earth. Right now, the world is on a fast-track toward relational demise because of self-interest. We are seeing a rise in greed, envy, gluttony, lust, pride, hate, and laziness. For this reason, Jesus cautioned against materialism in Matthew 19:21, using his conversation with a wealthy young ruler as a cautionary tale against greed: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

 

 

Steward Your Money Wisely

Money is a double-edge sword. It is a gift from God, so we must rely on God to wield it. Otherwise, money becomes an idol we worship. A terrible idol, considering it cannot talk to you, empathize with you, know you, instruct you, guide you, or love you, like God loves you. To experience the true value of money, we must wield it as God directs us. This article by Secure Give is a great resource on how we can steward our money wisely:

• Honor God with your money.
• Give sacrificially and generously.
• Be content with what you have.
• Do not be led by greed.
• Be wise with your finances by regularly saving.
• Avoid debt!
• Trust in God’s provision.

Remember the commandment of our Heavenly Father: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Matthew 22:39). We are to love all of our neighbors, not just the ones we deem suitable. To love means to give of ourselves to them, including our wealth. If we have a relationship with God, we are encouraged to use our money for good by giving to those around us. We are called to give and receive freely, allowing our hard-earned money to uplift the world.

Quick Tip: Try to dedicate 10% of your pre-tax earnings to service to others, whether that’s a donation to your local church or donations to charitable organizations close to your heart. If you don’t have the money, give of your time by volunteering. You have no idea the difference you can make on Earth by giving up a few hours of your week in service to others!

 

 

God Will Provide for Your Every Need

Fear not, for God seeks to provide for you. His provision is not earned, but an act of unconditional love for you. The only thing He wants is for you to seek Him, trust Him, and open yourself up to receive His gifts. A verse many find comfort in is: “God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Not your every want, but your every need. This includes all aspects of human development: spiritual, emotional, and physical. For those needing comfort, here are the ways God promises to care for you.

He’ll provide for your basic needs

Food, Clothing, and Shelter

 

• “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

 

He’ll give you spiritual blessings

Peace, Hope, Wisdom, and Endurance

 

• “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29)
• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
• “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

 

He’ll add in unexpected blessings

The Desires of Your Heart

 

• “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
• “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22)

 

Matthew 22:37-39

 

Trust in God

To defeat the dangers of materialism in our lives, we must begin to see ourselves and others as God does: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

If you’re still here, I encourage you to talk to God about the troubles on your heart. Ask Him to intervene and help you find solutions to your problems. He’ll act in your best interest, working behind the scenes to troubleshoot all areas of your life. Trust in His love for you, that He will never reject you, and that He will fight for you.

Before you go, please join me in prayer:

“God, I pray for us. Help us open our hearts to You, so that we may know You, walk with You, and feel Your boundless love. Let the spirit of fear dissipate and replace it with the Spirit of trust. I ask You to be present in this moment. Forgive us for our mistakes and help us forgive ourselves, too. Comfort us as we face trials on Earth. Give us the strength to walk forward with strength, courage, and faith. Bless us abundantly, so that we may bless others. Father, we ask: “Not my will but yours be done.” We trust You and love You with all of our hearts! Thank You for all that you do for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!”

Love, Kim