Going Beyond the Dollar

Do you ever feel that you would have more to be grateful for if you had more money?

It might sound terrible to admit, but if you asked most people to answer honestly and without the fear of judgement, they would probably say yes–even Christians.

However, as believers, we know that what we have to be most grateful for is our salvation and that everything else pales in comparison. Jesus died so that we could have life everlasting! There is nothing more incredible and nothing for which to be more grateful. 

Money can be a powerful distraction and many people, even Christians, convince themselves that they’re interested in it as a “tool” to further God’s kingdom through blessings. While money most certainly is a tool, the Bible also makes it very clear that your value and your bank account are not related–and if you get this mixed up you will have major problems.

If you find yourself desiring money or beginning to fall into a confused state about your relationship with it, it’s time to start talking to God about it.

As you pray, ask God to purify your heart and to help you see your motives clearly. Consider some verses about money from the Bible.

Words on Money from the Bible:

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” …Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Proverbs 28:22  A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

Proverbs 11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Matthew 19:21-26 Jesus answered, “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.”  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;  do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

James 5:1-6 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Other verses to contemplate:

Deuteronomy 16:17
Job 36:11
Romans 8:28
1 Timothy 6:6-12
Philippians 4:11-13
Psalm 62:10
1 John 2:15-17
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Luke 8:14
Mark 4:19
2 Corinthians 9:7