When it comes to the subject of money, there’s no denying that many Christians and even churches expressed divided views and adverse attitudes towards it.
It seems that this subject or the biblical relationship we ought to have with money, is mostly and widely misunderstood.
I believe that this misunderstanding or misconceptions arise as a result of us having tainted personal perspectives towards money that are largely shaped and influenced by our different upbringing and environment.
The common misconceptions
Before we uncover more truths related to money and us, let us first address some of the common myths about money that can be found in the Church.
The following are the common myths or misconceptions about money that majority of the Church has:
- Money is the root of all evil
God is never against us having more money. He just doesn’t want money to have us and rule our lives. Money is a good servant, but a bad master.
Whether rich or poor, it will be impossible for us to serve God wholeheartedly when money becomes our master. It is the love for money that is the root of all evil (c.f. 1 Timothy 6:10). - Desiring to be rich or prosperous is sinful
Our motive for desiring to be rich is the most important factor in receiving God’s intended prosperity upon our lives. It has to be stemmed from a “receive so I can give” motive where we desire to be blessed to be a blessing (c.f. 1 Chronicles 4:10).Therefore, desiring to be rich is not a sin. It is our motive that determines if our desire to be rich is sinning against God. Make no mistake that God delights in prospering us. The better financially positioned we’re, the better we’re positioning ourselves to help more people.
- Being rich makes me less spiritual
This belief that a true Christian should be poor has been with us for a long time, and it is a deception from the enemy to keep the Church feeble. Without financial resources, much of our efforts to accomplish God’s will are impeded.In other words, being poor doesn’t make us more spiritual than if we’re rich. Our spirituality is primarily determined by our obedience to God and not whether we’re rich or poor (c.f. Matthew 6:33).
Money is a spiritual subject
Money is a very spiritual subject. The fact that it actually represents our lives; how we manage and use it does matter to God, makes it an important spiritual subject. And our enemy knows this.
For too long the Church has been deceived where we’re now mostly living in insufficiency, poverty and debt. This has resulted in us being displaced from our rightful position where we’re not fully experiencing His abundance.
Though money or rather prospering financially is just one of the aspects in our development in God, but it is nevertheless a key aspect. And I think this is especially so living in today’s modern world.
Therefore, if we truly desire to live out our fullest potential in advancing His Kingdom, then we need to learn how to adopt a biblical IQ in handling money.
Without it, we can never be a master to money but a slave; constantly susceptible and limited by it.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
With reference:
1. Money Talks (It will tell on you) by John Avanzini
2. “Money: A biblical point of view”, The Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley
Love of money
Mathew 6:19-21. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The first thing many will say is that to be rich is not a sin. Listen, the people who say such things are themselves rich in worldly treasures.
We would like to ask you this question. Why are you saving up money, if you say you believe that Jesus is coming at any time? Why have so many people who call themselves Christians more than one house, when there are so many people who have none? Where is your love for the people of God?
There are many of you that have many cars that you do not need. Listen, you can only drive one car at a time, so why have more than you need? Why not give one to a brother or sister who works for Jesus, to help them get around? My friend where is your love? It is certainly not in the family of God, as you would never see a brother or sister go without.
Let us look at Jesus to see how we ought to live in this world. First of all, He was a man and also God. Listen, as God He owned everything in the heaven and earth. He made it all for His people. So why did He not come to this earth as a rich man? We will tell you why, because He came to this earth with a spiritual treasure, and that treasure was salvation and healing for His people.
When a person says that he or she has both riches of spiritual things and worldly things, then you will know that such a person is dead spiritually. Listen to what is says in Acts 4:33-37. “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
We see here what true love is all about. Listen, the children of God are one body. When there is any one of them sick, we all feel the pain and pray until Jesus has healed that person. The same is when a child of God is going without something; it is your job to help that brother or sister because we are one body. So many people today will pass on the other side instead of helping. Do you not know that you do not own anything that you have, it all belongs to God and not you?
Listen to what is says in 1 Corinthians 12:24-27. “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
This word ‘schism’ means a division or separation into two parties. If people are true Christians, then they will agree on everything the Word of God says, and not only that, but they will also do all it commands them. This is what it means to be one in Jesus. We are taught by the Holy Spirit to give, and not lay up treasures upon this earth. Anyone that is laying up treasures upon this earth does not believe that Jesus is coming soon. Therefore when He comes they will be left behind because they have not laid up their treasures in heaven, but on this earth.
1 Timothy 6:10. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”