Love People. Use Money.

Image credit

Our Lord Jesus did not call money as “true riches” but “worldly wealth” (Luke 16:11, NIV). Money is not to be considered our true riches. That’s why it makes no sense to love money for it is not our true riches, no matter how little or how many we have. We are to love people and use money, not love money and use people. How we view the lack or the abundance of money, how we relate to the rich and the poor, depends on our mentality. 

Those with poverty mentality think that spiritual or godly people are those who are poor. Why? Because they are humble. And the unspiritual people are those who are rich. Why? Because they are proud.  On the other hand, those with prosperity mentality think that the spiritual people are those who are rich. Why? Because allegedly God blessed them with so much as proof of His favor upon them. And the ungodly people are those who are poor. Why? Because supposedly they don’t have enough faith to believe God for His provisions. Both poverty mentality and prosperity mentality lead us to judge people.

Image credit

Yes, the rich may become proud. That’s why Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” But, the poor can also become proud, like when they refuse to work. Some people refuse to accept work because of a false sense of entitlement. They just put their hope in charity dole outs. Or, that they think they’re too big for a menial work because they feel they deserve a bigger pay. Maybe but you have to work for it. It does not fall from heaven. 

Image credit

Also, a person does not have to be rich to love money and use people. Look at 1 Timothy 6:9-10. 

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For 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.  

Note the words “desire to be rich” and “craving” (In the NIV, “eager for money”). A poor person can also end up loving money and using people.

Image credit

A person with a stewardship mentality knows who to love and what to use. He does not confuse between loving and using. We will not be judgmental or proud. We will not think that we are more spiritual than others. Knowing that we are God’s managers would humble us. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48b)  

Money Matters #3

Other than the examples given above, what are the situations where we end up loving money and not people? What about situations where we use people rather than money? Pray God would help us put our hearts in the right place. 

Prayer:

Lord, we want our hearts to be devoted to You, not to our material possessions. Help us be able to help people with what we have. May we be a channel of Your love for them!

NOTE: This is Day Three of the devotional guide (Volume 1, Issue 4) of our church, Filinvest Community Christian Fellowship, for the message last Sunday, March 22, on “Unleash Your Family Finances!” by bestselling authors, Bro. Vic and Sis. Avelynn Garcia of Unleash International.