The Bible tells us that everything belongs to God. He has provided great resources, and these are tools to be used for good: to honour God and improve people’s wellbeing. But it is easy to chase after money, instead of chasing after God and his will.
Read Matthew 6:19–24
Many of the stories Jesus told are about money and how we use it. In Matthew 6:19–24, he warns of three dangers:
- wrong priorities (verses 19–21) – ‘where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’
- wrong perspectives (22–23) – ‘the eye is the lamp of the body’
- the wrong master (24) – ‘you cannot serve both God and money’
The love of riches is also described as ‘a root of all kinds of evil’ in 1 Timothy 6:10.
Contentment and generosity
In Hebrews 13:5, Paul 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.”’
Being free from the unhealthy love of money and possessions means we do not have to be controlled by them. Money is a resource that we use, rather than a master we serve. We are called to use it well, and to be generous with all that God has given us: ‘And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased’ (Hebrews 13:16).
Richard Serrano is Tearfund’s Theology and Network Engagement Advisor in Latin America.
