1Timothy 6:10 (NLT)
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
God looks at our hearts, and our hearts will always reveal to Him exactly what our true love really is. For millions upon millions of people, their true love is money, and their whole lives revolve around getting more of it. For as long as any of us can remember, people have wanted to be rich. In just about every corner of our nation, you will find them talking about the lottery, and when it goes up, swarms of people buy tickets. Too many of us have become money-centered, and it is so embedded in our attitudes and thoughts, that we’re unconscious of how it’s impacting our relationship with God.
For many people, money steers almost every decision they make, and they lean on it as if it has the power to sustain them. 1Peter 2:19(NLT) tells us about people who have twisted desires and brag about themselves with empty and foolish boasting. This verse says, “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” It’s a terrible thing when money controls a person. It becomes their master, and ‘master’ is a distinction and position that only Jesus Christ should occupy in our lives. He tells us in Luke 16:13(NLT), “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
You might ask, “How does a person know that they are a slave to money?” One characteristic that identifies someone like this is their refusal to obey God’s commandment about tithing. 2Corinthians 9:7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. It is a defining quality of someone that honors God and His Word. He expects that we will sow into His Kingdom for no other reason than the truth that He has commanded us to do so. His Word teaches us that tithing is an act of faith, and it demonstrates our obedience to do what God commands.
God said in Malachi 3:8-10(NLT), “8 Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
Some people have argued, “Well, this is Old Testament Law, and we don’t have to keep this law because we’re living according to the New Covenant that Jesus Christ ushered in.” As born-again believers that have received salvation through Christ and have been filled with the Holy Spirit, we are not servants; we are God’s sons and daughters. Because of the work that God finished for us through Christ, we have received infinitely more than those living during Old Testament times. Jesus Christ very plainly tells us in Luke 12:48(NLT), “But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” We can’t do less but more because of all that God has given us through our powerful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
People hold so tightly to their pocketbooks and wallets, and nothing ruffles their feathers like the subject of tithing. It’s all because of their love of money and their refusal to have faith in God and His promises. Proverbs 3:9 (NLT) says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.” Jesus Christ commands us in Luke 6:38(NLT), “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” God doesn’t need our money, but He requires the reverence and respect that we demonstrate towards Him when we cheerfully and thankfully sow into His Kingdom with our tithes and offerings.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Are You A Slave to Money?”, written by KLizzie, edited by Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.