Matthew 6:24 — No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.
Most people wrongly use money to determine their worth and how they should value others. Every year, Forbes ranks the world's wealthiest people, and without fail, news outlets and social media sycophants jump all over the list as if it's the cure for Cancer.
But it's time to acknowledge the consequences of money worship and see money for what it is—a tool. Money shouldn't be a measuring stick to rank people from greatest to least. Instead, we should use it to improve lives.
We are to love people and use money, but most of us love money and use people. —Pastor Rick Warren
That's why I love Hebrews 13:5; it reminds us to stay away from the love of money, and to be satisfied with what we have.
You see, it’s your relationship with God that adds value and worth to your life, not your six-bedroom house on the hill.
I can tell you this about me—everything great in my life came from God. The love and joy I get from my wife, children, friends, and family are invaluable and not based on how much money they or I have.
No amount of money can replace my ability to see, walk, hear, breathe, laugh, think, or perform every other function that seamlessly fuels my life.Â
Unfortunately, it’s when people lose their ability to function, that they're willing to sacrifice everything they own to regain the things they were given (by God) for free.
We also know people who would trade every dime they have just for one night of pain-free sleep. Some of them would forgo all future earnings if it meant they'd never see another doctor or hospital.
Don't get me wrong. I don't want you to think that money is evil—because it isn't. It's a common misconception that the Bible says money is the root of all evil—because it doesn't. However, 1st Timothy 6:10 clearly states: The love of money is the root of all evil.
Money in its proper place is a worthwhile and necessary instrument for a well-rounded life, but when it is projected to the status of a god, it becomes a power that corrupts and an instrument of exploitation.
—Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If you find yourself wanting more money, a bigger house, nicer clothes, and shinier jewelry more than you want to pray, read your Bible, or serve others, then you need to reorder your priorities.
We need each other more than we need money. Proverbs 18:1 tells us that a man who isolates himself seeks his desires and rages against all wise judgment.
So instead of judging, hating, and wishing each other dead, we need to love each other.
And instead of hoping and praying that God wipes your enemies off the face of the earth, you need to ask God to grant them mercy and long life.
Hmm, love, mercy, and long life — Priceless.
Father, help me to love people and not money. Show me where to give and how to give with a cheerful heart. Please use me to pour your love and resources into the lives of my family, friends, loved ones, and beyond.
Love people : Use money.