Question: Is it wrong to be concerned about having enough money for the future? Didn’t Jesus say that it’s wrong to want a lot of money because it’s evil?
Answer: Jesus emphasized that if we’ll put God first and focus on pleasing Him in all that we do, He will take care of the other needs that we have (Matthew 6:33). Later, the apostle Paul wrote: “…those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown people in destruction and sin. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from faith in God in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:9-10)
So it’s not money itself that gets us into trouble but our love of money. Paul explained that our greediness makes us put more trust in the things money buys instead of trusting God to take care of all of our needs. To pierce themselves through with many sorrows means getting into serious trouble by putting desires for money and material possessions ahead of our desire to know and obey God. Paul records in chapter 6 of I Timothy that money and possessions are only for this present, brief life on earth, so we should focus more on our future relationship in heaven with God. That’s the ultimate in planning well for the future.
Of the 39 parables that Jesus told his followers, at least 16 were about money. He warned that the trouble with money begins not when we receive it but when we allow it to change what’s most important in our lives. Allowing money and buying things to become the main focus of life leads to unhappiness through greed, selfishness, and a false sense of security. God Himself wants to be in that first place position in our lives and has promised to take care of ALL of our needs. Hundreds of dollars in our wallets cannot heal us when we are sick, be with us when we are lonely, or give us advice about decisions we must make. Only God, through Jesus His Son, is able and willing to do ALL of these things, plus SO much more.
Ask God to lead you to make the best choices possible for your future, first spiritually, and second, financially. The Bible says to keep your focus on what is most important, your friendship with Jesus. He wants your heart!
…provide yourselves with money that does not grow old, a treasure in heaven that does not lose value, where no thief can steal it nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:33-34
