I saw a caption the other day that reads; “Follow the money.” While I may not know the intention of the creator of it, that caption struck a chord in me as to how most people in our generation think. Almost everything and everyone around us tells us to follow the money. But the Bible speaks otherwise. Don’t follow the money.
Friend, we don’t know how sound you are until we see your attitude towards money. MONEY REVEALS THE CHARACTER OF THE HANDLER OF IT. God wants to make you into someone who can handle money before He gives you money or more of it. Unless you are a correct disciple of Jesus, you may not be safe around money (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
YOUR LIFE IS BIGGER THAN MONEY. MONEY IS MEANT TO BE A SERVANT; NOT TO BE SERVED. MONEY IS A GOOD SERVANT BUT A BAD MASTER (Luke 12:16-21). Money is neither good nor bad; it takes the colour of the handler. Money in the hands of a purposeful man is a blessing. Money in the hands of a wicked man is a curse. MONEY IS A TOOL TO FULFIL GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE. WITHOUT PURPOSE, MONEY IS MEANINGLESS (Haggai 2:6-9).
Money is not evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). BEHIND MOST BETRAYALS, BREAKAWAYS, BACKSTABBING, QUARRELS ETC., IS A WRONG ATTITUDE OR POSTURE AROUND MONEY. Money can separate best of friends. It can make associates leave a Church. Some marriages are cracking today, not just for lack of money but for wrong attitude towards the same.
MONEY CAN EITHER ENHANCE YOUR FOLLOWERSHIP OF JESUS OR BREAK YOUR FOCUS. What you focus on matters. Gehazi followed the money, he became leprous (2 Kings 5:20-27). Lot followed the money, he lost his destiny (Genesis 13:8-13). Judas followed the money and forfeited his apostleship (Matthew 26:14-15, Acts 1:16-20). Balaam lost his ministry because of money (Jude 1:11).
WE ARE TO SERVE GOD AND USE MONEY, NOT USE GOD AND SERVE MONEY (Psalms 16:5-6, 23:6). I have noticed that those who run after money; in business, career, ministry, don’t always have it. But those who follow God, value creation, due process, integrity, contentment and consistency in their lives and enterprises, end up having more money than they need (Genesis 13:2, Proverbs 11:24). YOU CAN BE ONE OF SUCH.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria