The Fallacy Sessions: Money Is Everything

Ever heard someone say, “I just need money”?

I have.

Now I won’t deny that money is an essential part of life. Paying for the things you need (and buying the stuff you want) is great.

But I think many of us have adopted the wrong mindset. Some people believe their money should give them comfort and security, instead of God. Here are four thoughts I hope will change the way you think about this.

#1: Jesus was “broke”.

Believe it or not, the Bible never depicts Jesus as wealthy. Perhaps with the exception of a few coins made via carpentry, it appears Jesus didn’t have any money. Rather, He relied on others to fund His mission. People like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. But it wasn’t just men – Luke 8:1-3 records that it was primarily women who funded Jesus’ mission.

If Jesus could accomplish what He did without having money of His own, what can you achieve? As Paul put it in Philippians 4:19 (NIV), “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” If we trust God and seek Him in all we do, He will provide for us. Just like He provided for His Son.

#2: It isn’t about how much you have.

Sadly, today’s world has become a tiered society based on how much money we make. This leads to envy, jealousy, and comparison. Yet Jesus tells us what matters most isn’t how much we have, but how we use it.

The beginning verses of Luke 21 (NIV) record a story that many would scoff at today. Here’s how it goes…

As Jesus looked up, He saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Crazy, right? Jesus didn’t praise those who put in thousands of dollars. He praised the widow who put in a few pennies. This reminds us that it isn’t about how much we give, but about where our heart is at. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT) states, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’”

When we give money, whether to a church, charity, or person in need, we should be giving cheerfully, not out of obligation. We should be giving more than just “what’s required of me”. Then we will receive our reward in Heaven. It’s the heart that matters.

#3: It’s harder for the rich to get into Heaven.

As Jesus declared in Matthew 19:24 (NIV), “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Keep in mind, Jesus is using hyperbole here. Of course, rich people can get into Heaven – but it’s much harder. They have to fight the cultural lie that money can buy happiness. So if you’re wealthy, be careful. The devil will use what you’ve earned against you. Please, be selfless with your money, not selfish. Then you will inherit the reward Jesus promises.

#4: Wealth leads to pride.

Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV), “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Paul is reminding us that our hope comes from Jesus, not money. We should not let the things we have hold sway over our lives. In the blink of an eye, our wealth can disappear. To quote Proverbs 11:28 (NIV), “Those who trust in their riches will fall. But those who do right will be as healthy as a green leaf.”

I know I’ve referenced a lot of Scripture today, but these verses don’t even begin to cover everything the Bible says about this topic. Yes, money is a great tool that can be used to further God’s kingdom, but as soon as it becomes an asset, you’re in trouble.

After all, Paul did say in 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT) that “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evils.” Please don’t take that lightly.

The two-sided coin.

Allow me to quickly cover two further dangers.

1. Those who are lazy and don’t work. If you haven’t read last week’s post, you may want to take a look at it. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus tell us to be lazy. Proverbs 6:9-11 (NIV) speaks harshly on the topic: “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” In Colossians 3:23 (NIV), Paul declares, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” So don’t be lazy – you’re working for God after all.
2. Those who make money an idol. In the process of avoiding laziness, don’t fall victim to workaholism. I’ve covered this before, but there are more important things in this life than work and money. Is it really in your family’s best interest to be gone “all the time”, just so they can have nice things? Personally, I’d rather spend time with the person than with the things their money buys. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Friend, if you trust God, He will provide. Don’t sacrifice what really matters in pursuit of green bills.

What’s the point?

Please don’t let me scare you away from money – it has amazing uses, and most people need it to survive. Without money, our churches wouldn’t run, and charities would be obsolete. The problem arises when money becomes the thing we trust in, rather than God. Then it’s become an idol.

God invites us to trust Him with our finances. Will you?

Value your character.

Here’s my final point: character matters more than money. No one likes the stereotypical rich snob. For all their money, their character can’t change. If you take even one thing away from this post, it’s that your character matters more than your wealth. If you want to learn more about that topic, check out this post I published in May: The Measure of a Person’s Character.

American author and salesman Og Mandino once said, “Wealth, my son, should never be your goal in life. Your words are eloquent but they are mere words. True wealth is of the heart, not of the purse.”

Whether you’re making millions or are unemployed, you can still pursue Jesus. You can still have good character. It’s a fallacy to believe that money is everything, because, in the end, you can’t take it to Heaven or Hell. Instead, focus on building what does matter: your character.

I’ll leave you with the words of Solomon from Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)…

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.”