You cannot serve God & money

Why is money mentioned so often in the bible? Money is valuable because it is a way of trading time, treasures, and talents. These three things ultimately represents someone’s life, which is valuable. Someone’s view of money is a glimpse into their view of life, and what they live for. Because of this, our view of money helps us to answer a very important question about ourselves; “Am I worshipping money as my god, or do I worship God with my money?” Jesus once said, “You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13). We cannot sit on the fence. How we handle our finances is an indication on where our faith is placed.

The apostle Paul says that giving to the work of God is an act of worship. Paul says it is ‘a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God’(Philippians 4:18). Giving money is about giving worship to God, who has given so much to us – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God doesn’t need our finances, but he does want our hearts to be growing in generosity, so that we would become more like himself.

So, how can we tell if our money has started to become our god? The New Testament gives some clear teaching on what we should do with our money. If we find our hearts are resistant to these instructions, we know that money has an unhealthy grip on our heart. If our heart responds to these instructions with a desire to obey and make changes, then you know that money has not become your god. Let’s look at these instructions and ask ourselves some searching questions…

Do we worship God by giving regularly? – ‘On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money’ (1 Corinthians 16:2 NIVUK). Have we never given to the Lord’s work, or have we stopped giving what we once used to give?

Do we worship God by giving sacrificially? – ‘A sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God’ (Philippians 4:18). Do we give to the work of God in a way where we feel the pinch?

Do we worship God by giving proportionally? – ‘Set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income’ (1 Corinthians 16:2). For some people this means giving a little amount, and for others this means giving a larger amount – ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded’ (Luke 12:48).

Do we worship God by giving cheerfully? – ‘Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver’ (2 Corinthians 9:7). God doesn’t want us to give reluctantly, he wants us to give joyfully and freely, like he does to us.

Do we worship God by giving to see spiritual fruit, rather than financial gain? – ‘When I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only …you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit’ (Philippians 4:15-17). We do not give to God to get finances in return. We give to God to worship him and see spiritual fruit in ourselves and others.

Are you making cash your compass? – ‘The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs’ (1 Timothy 6:10). Money is not evil, but a love of money will cause all sorts of evil. Are you making financial decisions that are making your spiritual health decline?

Are you possessed by your possessions? – ‘For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world’ (1 John 2:16). Possessions are not wrong but being possessed by them is. Do you find that your ‘stuff’ and the ‘stuff’ you desire is consuming your mind in a way that leaves little room for God in your life?

Are you careering off track? – ‘If you have… selfish ambition in your hearts, do not… be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is… earthly, unspiritual, demonic.’ (James 3:14-15). A desire for a career is not wrong, but a selfish ambition that causes yourself and others spiritual condition to suffer is not from God, but from the enemy.

Is our hearts response to these questions resistance or repentance, reluctance or rejoicing? The answer to these questions will show us who our master is – Money or God. “You cannot serve God and money” (Luke 16:13).