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Money, get away. Get a good job with good pay and you're okay.
Money, it's a gas. Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four-star daydream; Think I'll buy me a football team. — Roger Waters, 1973
In today’s interconnected world, money is essential for daily living because most of us no longer raise our food, sew our clothes, or fell trees to make our homes. Instead, we pay others to grow, weave, and build for us. We depend on one another. That’s the way society works, and money is the fuel that powers it all.
Jesus had much to say about money. In his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-33, Jesus states that we tend to overvalue the importance of money. Bombarded daily with carefully crafted messages to show us what we supposedly need to make us happier and healthier, our natural tendency to “covet” feeds our desire to make more money.
But these worldly “treasures” are the very things Jesus declares that “moth and rust destroy” and “thieves break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19). In fact, everything we buy will eventually become old, used up, break, or we’ll simply lose interest. Such is the nature of the things of this world, including necessities like furniture, clothes, appliances, cars, and homes.
We do need these things, but we must always remember that they are passing and, although useful, cannot be compared to what is truly lasting and important. What really matters, Jesus says, is keeping the focus on the Kingdom of God promised to all who trust in Christ.
So he warns us of the danger of trying to serve both God and “mammon,” an ancient word that means money or possessions. In verses 30-33, he teaches us three important things about money.
1. Our heavenly Father is pleased to give us what we truly need.
First, God knows what we need even before we ask, and as a perfect Father, he is pleased to give us what we truly need. Jesus says this clearly:
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:30–33)
It takes money to obtain the things our heavenly Father wants us to have. And Jesus says that God is able and willing to provide the means for his children to earn money to meet the necessities of life. God knows what we need, and he gives us the talents and the opportunities to properly earn the money we need. We trust in his provision by using our talents to work hard as we seek to honor Christ. When we have this attitude toward money, we glorify God.
2. Unbelievers can’t trust in a God they don’t believe in to provide for them.
Second, Jesus says the unbelievers (“Gentiles”) do not understand this principle. Instead, Jesus says they chase after worldly treasures because they don’t understand God, themselves, life, money, and eternity. Unbelievers can’t trust in a God they don’t believe in to provide for them.
Therefore, getting all you can when you can because “you only go around once in life” seems rational. Looking out for “number one” is vital in this “dog-eat-dog” world. Jesus says we are not to be like unbelievers in this regard.
3. We are to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness.
Third, we are to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and when we do all we need will be added to us. Notice Jesus says “all we need,” not “all we want.” That is an important distinction. When we seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, we will be honest in our dealings with others. We will strive to honor God in properly using the gifts and talents he has given us in where and how we work, where we live, and how we spend our money.
In Philippians 4, Paul thanks that church for their generosity to support his work of planting churches and proclaiming the gospel. He commends them for their money (Phil. 4:15) and tells them their money is bearing fruit in Macedonia. For this, Paul says,
God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)
The example of the Philippian church and the generosity of the churches they supported through Paul (2 Cor. 8:1-7) give us guidance on how we are to use our money. God will provide, in due time, food, clothing, and a home in which to live and raise a family because he knows we need these things. Jesus preaches what true biblical prosperity actually is, and his words help us keep a proper perspective on the material blessings that come to us.
Our part is to trust him, work with what he has given us, honor our employer with diligent labor, and use our talents and the money it brings to support his kingdom work in raising the next generation of Christians. When we have this attitude and understanding about money, he will supply every need we have according to his riches in glory.
Related Articles:
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“Give Me neither Poverty nor Plenty”: 7 Things the Book of Proverbs Teaches Us about Money
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14 Ways to Keep Your Focus on the Things That Matter Most in Life
Don Strand is an ordained minister and holds a Master of Arts in Theology. He serves his local church as an elder, teacher, and worship leader.
This article was originally published under the title “Biblical Prosperity According to Jesus — 3 Things You Need to Know.”
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