Like it or not, all of us need money.
We need money to meet our personal or family needs, to run a business, to fund a humanitarian project and even our missions work.
Clearly, money is not merely an ethereal felt need. It is a real need. And whether poor or rich, there is no denying that everyone needs money.
Though not life’s most important need, it’s significance should not be taken lightly.
More about money
Money originated as a commodity; it is a medium of exchange and a means to an end.
The truth about money is that it is inanimate; neither good or bad. In other words, it is morally neutral.
Money takes on the character of the person who owns it and controls it. It amplifies what is in the heart of the owner.
A car in the hands of a responsible and careful driver would make it a good mode of transportation, but in the hands of a reckless and drunk driver, the car becomes a mode of destruction endangering lives.
Similarly, a rifle in the hands of a soldier is a tool for security, but placed in the hands of a terrorist, it becomes a deadly tool of terror and evil.
In other words, whether money is branded evil or good is determined by who owns it and how it is used.
Creating money to do more
Imagine with me- “What if most of the existing wealth or money in the world were in the hands of God-fearing people?”
Think about the ease churches would have in sending out missionaries to other countries or the readiness to set up businesses to create employment for the needy or what about just feeding the poor and hungry. The list goes on and on.
Take 48-year-old Mr. Petrus Carstens as an example. His desire to truly make a difference with ordinary lives convinced him to make a drastic decision to become a full-time investor over his pastoring duties for a 4,500 strong church in South Africa.
According to the Sunday Times’ (dated 16 May 2010) article- “Ex-pastor turns evangelist of wealth”, Mr. Carstens was a pastor in South Africa for 15 years till 2002. But later, he realised that besides praying for the poor, he could actually do more by creating wealth to better and further help the people.
“I want to use this money (generating from his investments) for economic empowerment programmes in the developing world,” said Mr. Carstens who has successfully built up an asset base exceeding US$2.4 million within two years since he started investing in 2004 and currently owns 10 companies.
I believe there are many other Christians like Mr. Carstens that are stepping up for the Church into the marketplace in reaching its rightful potential as the Head and not the tail.
God is never opposed to us prospering or getting rich, it is only the wrongful attitude towards handling and using money that He condemns.
With a kingdom mentality and an understanding of the role of money in view of God’s perspective as a means to an end and resource to make a real sustainable impact, we ought to be bold to seek the Lord in prospering us for the sake of the gospel and the many lives that we can potentially be a blessing to.
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
3. The Sunday Times, Invest section- ”Ex-pastor turns evangelist of wealth” on 16 May 2010
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.”
Hi Andrew
I love your input about making sense of money – it is within God’s will for us, that true us, He will bless the nations.
For anonymous, don’t fear speaking out. Come let’s reason. You brought up a very good point, about money and how it can bring people down, especially Christians. The bible has many verses that speaks against the love for money, but it *NEVER* speaks about money itself.
1) It is not money itself that is evil, it is ‘the love for money.’ 1 Timothy 6:10.
2) Laying up riches on earth IS secondary to loving Him first and wholeheartedly – the bible does say: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and everything else [note:health, money, etc] will be added to you.
3) The story of the parables of the person who is given 1, 2 and 5 talents – told to multiply what you have.
4)Acts 4:33-37 they sold what they have NOT TO BECOME POOR, but it is BECAUSE THEY HAVE SURPLUS THEY COULD SUPPLY THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
5)We are taught by the Holy Spirit to not only give [to God first, and then to man], God also said
“Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be complete.”
Dear anonymous, please read the bible carefully, and pray. God is faithful and true, and good, and doesn’t intend for His children to be poor, yet, I must emphasise your point, which,
“In all things, let God be first.”