- Lesson 10 in the Connect360 unit “The Making of Authentic Faith: Wisdom that Works” focuses on James 5:1-6.
Money destroys us when we begin attacking the lives of others who do not deserve our wrath because of our love for money. Why does fighting break out between those who are supposed to love each other? How does a poor person end in court with a wealthy person? Why might an undeserving person become the target of an “accident?” How are unspeakable, wrong actions done each day and becoming more frequent? You guessed it—more often than not, the love of money is the reason behind such actions, and it offends God.
When people choose to love money, there is no limit to what they will do in order to get more of it. People become obstacles to be moved out of the way, laws become hurdles to get around, and our morals become snags we choose to live with when money destroys us. In the most extreme form, boundaries are completely eliminated and killing someone becomes an option when people are overcome by greed.
We cannot be fooled into thinking such extreme actions will not happen to us because that is the same thought process others had before they were overcome by a love for money themselves. If we let it, money can destroy us; however, if we control money as we should, we will never get close to this point and money will occupy an appropriate place in our lives.
How we use money matters
What we do with money matters. How we use our money—good or bad, right or wrong—shows the condition of our hearts because we put our money behind what we value.
If our actions are benefitting others, meeting our own needs, and glorifying God, we are making wise decisions with our money. If our actions with money are causing abuse to ourselves, or others, we can choose to make a change. Money is a tool we should use to bring glory to God, not ourselves. Living like money is a tool in life and not the tool for life is an important concept for us to remember.
Our use of money and possessions will always please God when we choose to bless others with them where they need it when we are able. When we make our money serve others for their benefit, God will make sure our money serves us by being a blessing and not a curse.
Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for GC2 Press, formerly known as BaptistWay Press.
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