“I want money…that’s what I want.” This song chorus from the Flying Lizards summarizes our usual attitude towards money. It is a good thing that we always need more of. But should Christians think any differently about money to those who don’t know Jesus?
We don’t want money because we like little pieces of metal and plastic, but because it represents something else to us. Firstly, money represents pleasure – it means we can buy better experiences in life. But we need to heed the warning of Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
where Solomon points out that even having everything you want ultimately doesn’t make you happy. Secondly, money represents security – we can be secure in knowing our future will be looked after and our possessions will be safe. But this is also not true, as Matthew 6:19-21 points out. All it takes is an accident or a stock market crash and we realize we are not as we think even if we have all the money we need. Thirdly, money represents success and happiness – it is how we know we have succeeded in life. But again we need to listen to the Bible in 1 Timothy 6. Contentment comes from knowing Jesus and wanting money above all things simply leads to troubles.
We need money, and money is indeed a good thing from God. But you cannot be friends with God or get to heaven due to your money or possessions. Salvation is a free gift. So we need to see money as a gift from God we need to use well, not just to serve ourselves but to serve others.
(Based on Bible Cafe teaching, 14 May 2010).