The Strong Influence of Money and How We Should Manage It

The Strong Influence of Money and How We Should Manage It
Devotion by Pastor Redd
July 14, 2025

"No one can serve two masters. You will either hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and reject the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24).

Money itself is neither good nor bad, but how we view and use it reveals what truly matters to us. Jesus talked a lot about money and belongings because He knew how much they can compete for our attention and loyalty. For example, when a rich young man came to Jesus asking how to get eternal life, he felt sad when Jesus told him to sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor (Mark 10:17-22). The young man's wealth had become his identity, his security, and even his god. This led Jesus to say, "It is very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23).

However, having wealth isn't a bad thing according to the Bible. People like Abraham, David, and Solomon were very wealthy and still blessed. The real issue is not about having money, but how we see and use it. As Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:10, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."  

So, how should we manage money in a way that shows our faith?
 

1. Understand that God is the true owner of everything (Psalm 24:1).
2. Be generous or kind as a form of worship (2 Corinthians 9:7).
3. Focus on saving treasures in heaven instead of on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
4. Learn to be content in all situations (Philippians 4:11-13).
5. Use money to support God's work (Luke 16:9).

When we give our finances to God, money no longer controls us. We become caretakers instead of owners, sharing blessings instead of hoarding wealth. Our financial choices then become acts of faith that show, "I trust in the living God, not in uncertain riches" (1 Timothy 6:17).

Let us manage money in ways that reflect the character of Christ Jesus—wisely, generously, and with a focus on eternity. By doing this, we show that while money can be powerful, our God is Almighty.