What did Jesus say About Money?
Jesus never gave a hard and fast answer to the question of how to handle money. He said plenty about our attitudes towards it, but very little about investing or managing our accounts. What Jesus focused on instead was our relationship to money and how we use it in our lives. He said that money should never set us apart from others but be a uniting factor. In other words, Jesus saw money as a tool with which to love and care for one another rather than an instrument of self-interest.
Jesus pointed out that our desire for money can quickly become so all-consuming that it becomes our master. And when this happens, it can enslave us and cause us to make decisions that are contrary to what He wanted. For example, Jesus taught us that if our hearts are so full of giving that we can’t bring ourselves to accept a gift from someone, then we will be demonstrating an unhealthy relationship with money.
The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God and love your neighbor. Jesus taught us that if we love God, then we will naturally love our neighbor and put their needs before our own. This means that when it comes to money, our decisions should reflect this idea of putting others first. We should think about how our financial decisions will affect the people around us, not just ourselves.
It’s not always easy to manage money properly and it can be tempting to just go for the easy choices like splurging on unnecessary items or holding onto it too tightly. But Jesus taught us to be wise stewards of the resources that we are given. Anything we have should be used to show love and help others, not just to pursue our own selfish desires. He also made it clear that the love of money can be our downfall.
The way we approach money is incredibly important. Jesus warned us that too much of it can be a danger, teaching us through parables like the Rich Young Ruler to give away our money when it becomes too much of a burden. He showed us that our wealth is not a measure of our worth and that it pales in comparison to the reward of entering eternal life with God.
Jesus also taught us to be generous. He exhorted us to be careful with our money but not to hoard it or be stingy with it. We should use some of our money to help others, especially the least of these and those in need. Money can never be a substitute for genuine love, but it can be a powerful tool for showing it and taking care of one another.
At times, Jesus addressed the issue of contentment. He told us that, in order to be truly content, we should trust in Him and have faith that He will provide all of our needs. Contentment is a state of being that is free from the worry and anxiety of constantly accumulating and coveting money. It’s not just freedom from material possessions; it’s finding peace in trusting in God’s provision, no matter the circumstance.
How the Bible Views Generosity
The Bible is full of stories of people who gave generously, both toward God and their fellow human beings. In the Old Testament, we see Abel offering up a sacrifice of the best of what he had to give, and King Solomon showering people with precious gifts. In the New Testament, we read about Jesus’ famous parable of the widow’s mite and his glorification of those who’ve given generously.
In the Bible, God is presented as a generous giver. We see this throughout scripture, from the story of Creation to His promises of a new heaven and a new earth. We also see God speaking about generous giving in several of His commands to Israel. In Proverbs, the book of wisdom, God commands us to give generously and praises those who give generously, while warning against hoarding. We also read of Jesus’ urging his followers to give generously to those around them.
The Bible teaches us that generosity is an important part of Christian faith. It’s not just something we do out of obligation or to prove ourselves to God; it’s a demonstration of our trust in Him and our should reflect our belief in the Almighty. When it comes to money, Jesus urged us to be generous and reminded us that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Generosity isn’t just something we give to others; it’s something that we give to ourselves as well. We can be generous with our time and our energy, as well as our finances. We can show others how much we appreciate and value them by giving them our attention, our graciousness, and our kindness. We can use our money to do good, but we can also use it to buy ourselves and those we care about experiences that they can enjoy and cherish for a lifetime.
Finally, we should make sure that we’re generous with ourselves as well. We should take the time to disconnect from our devices and social media to spend quality time with friends and family. We should make sure to care for our mental and physical health by getting enough rest, exercise, and relaxation. We should use our money to take part in experiences that bring us joy and help us to grow in our relationship with God.
The Value of Money
In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to lose sight of how valuable money really is. We’re often inundated with additional expenses and bills, and things like rent and groceries can seem like ongoing expenses. But money is more than just a means of paying for daily expenses; it can be a powerful tool for managing our lives and taking care of our needs.
We need to remember that money is a valuable resource and should be used responsibly. Paying our bills on time and setting aside enough savings can create financial security. Money can be used to invest in our futures, whether it be in education or retirement. We should also use our money to take care of necessary expenses, such as health care and insurance.
We should also be conscious of how our spending can impact the world around us. We can use our money to support businesses that share our values and ethics. We can make sure that we’re using our money to care for the environment and to do our part in preserving it for future generations. When we use our money to invest in ourselves and in others, it can make a profound difference in how we view money.
Finally, we should be mindful of how our spending can impact those around us. We should use our money to put in the necessary work to build and maintain relationships. We should use our money to ensure that those around us, from family and friends to the least of these, have access to the resources they need. Our money should be used to serve and to create a better world.
The Power of Stewardship
Jesus taught us that all of our resources, material and otherwise, come from God and should be used to bring Him glory. He also taught us that good stewardship is an important part of our walk with Him. Being a good steward requires us to use what we have, whether it’s money, possessions, time, or relationships, in a way that is pleasing to God and brings Him glory.
Being a good steward means taking care of our possessions and relationships in an ethical and responsible way. It means being mindful of how our spending can impact both ourselves and those around us and acting accordingly. It’s about being wise and disciplined with our money and using it to support and invest in ourselves and those around us.
Being a good steward also means being generous with our resources. We should give generously both to those in need and to God’s work. We can also use our resources to invest in our futures and in the futures of those around us. Our resources should also be used to promote justice and kindness and help to spread God’s love.
Finally, being a good steward requires us to be humble and thankful for all that we have been given. We should be mindful of our own needs, but also of the needs of others. We should remember that God has entrusted us with our resources and that we should use them with gratitude, humility, and love.
The Consequences of a Misguided Relationship with Money
Jesus taught us that an unhealthy relationship with money can have dire consequences both for ourselves and those around us. It can lead to an unhealthy focus on material possessions and tangible gains. It can make us neglect our spiritual growth and spiritual connection with God. It can lead us to become consumed with our own self-interest rather than looking out for the needs of others.
An unhealthy relationship with money can also put us in danger of building our lives around money rather than around God. We can become too focused on having more and more for ourselves and forget to think about how our decisions will impact those around us. We can also become obsessed with earning more money, even if it means taking shortcuts, making unethical decisions, or putting ourselves in danger.
And of course, an unhealthy relationship with money can have adverse effects on both our physical and mental health. We can become overly anxious and stressed, leading to physical and mental fatigue and illnesses that can impact our day-to-day lives. Our financial decisions can also impact our relationships, making it difficult to build strong and healthy relationships.
It’s important to remember that Jesus never condemned wealth, but He did remind us that money has the potential to be a dangerous and corrupting force. He taught us to be responsible and mindful of our actions and to use our money in a way that is pleasing to God. When it comes to money, we should strive to use it to show love and care for those around us, rather than as a tool for our own self-interest.
A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.
