JESUS’ view on money

Most of the time, we think that the world revolves around money, wealth, and possessions. We often think that money will give us security. So, we tend to make acquiring money our priority. We believe that if we have money, people will respect us and esteem us high. Sometimes we sacrifice our own health just to have more money so we can buy the things that we desire and show those things off to everyone expecting to receive praise and adoration from them. We strive to be on the top above everyone else to maintain power, respect, and admiration because we are insecure deep inside and we are consumed by pride. But, the truth is security can only be found in a loving and faithful relationship with JESUS. When we have accepted JESUS and He lives in our hearts, our priorities, views, and life as a whole change. All our worries and insecurities are gone because JESUS will fill our hearts with love and thanksgiving. 

On the contrary, most of us do not have a close relationship with JESUS so we feel insecure. We are always worried about what to eat and how we can we live tomorrow or in the future if we do not have money especially when we retire. But, JESUS said in Matthew 6:25, 31, 32 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? ...Oh, you of little faith! So do not worry saying ‘what shall we eat? or ‘What shall we drink’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” What JESUS tries to convey here is that we just have to trust in Him because He is our Greatest Provider and He is a loving Father who loves us and will supply us all our needs. He works in amazingly mysterious and great ways and will provide us everything we need. He said in John 15:7, “If you abide in Me and my words abide in you, you can ask whatever in My Name and it will be done to you.”

So, it is important to have faith in JESUS and follow His will so that He will provide us all that we need in order to live. We should believe in Him first and establish a closer relationship with Him so that He will be pleased. When He is pleased by our deeds, He will please us also and provide what we need. JESUS’ view on money contradicts to our views. He said in 1 Timothy 6:9-11,“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 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 with many griefs. But you man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” See, JESUS said that we should flee from the love of money. We should stop wanting money. We should control our desire for money and restrain ourselves from acquiring it.

Whether you are a Christian or not your attitude towards money should be different. Acquiring money should not be your purpose but to seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). It means your ultimate purpose is to love and please JESUS first by having a loving and faithful relationship with Him and obeying His commands in the Bible. If you do these, all the things you need will be given to you. Just remember JESUS’ reminder found in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Bear in mind godliness and contentment is a great gain (1 Timothy 6:6)

In conclusion, acquiring money should never be our focus and priority but loving and pleasing JESUS. Take note being rich is dangerous. JESUS said in Mark 10:24, “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” JESUS also reminded us in Matthew 6:24 that no one can serve both God and money for he will either be devoted to the one or despised the other. So choose to serve JESUS now rather than money. Always remember true security comes from JESUS, not in money. Believe and you will be saved. God bless! I love you with the love of the LORD.