I said to myself before writing this column – what else do I need to tell the world about money that has not been said in the last ten editions, but because money will always be needed, then we must always learn more about it.
I have learnt that money is a moral. We are the one that determines the value of money. It is either good or bad. It is good if you know how to handle it; it is bad if you are poor in handling it.
In this edition, we shall be looking at how money could reveal a man’s true character and how to develop the right attitude towards it.
“A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” – Eccl. 10:19.
Wise king Solomon, in his backslidden state said money can do all things. This statement has been printed in the heart of many people that their main purpose for questing for money was just for them to have all their desires. If you live with this mind set that money can do all things then you are far from the truth.
“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? and he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.” – Luke 12:16-21.
Despite all the accumulated wealth of this “rich man”, he could not pay for his soul. Money answers all things? I don’t believe. Don’t be like this rich fool who thinks money is everything. To the wise, money has a limitation.
Developing the right attitude towards money begins with you knowing that Jesus answers all things and not money.
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” – Act 8:18-20.
The gift of God cannot be purchased with money therefore spend money on those things that count in eternity, your family, God’s kingdom and your future.
The Widow’s Attitude to Money (Mark 12:41-44)
I call this the widow attitude because as widow whose name was not given, exhibited it in the temple. Just like the rich gave, so this widow gave, but Jesus acknowledged the widow’s two mites as better offering to the others.
The widow gave out of her want but the others gave out of her abundance. The widow’s attitude is GOD GET THE BEST, I GET THE LEAST. This is the right attitude to money. If you give Him your best then He gives you His best. His reciprocal.
Gehazi’s attitude to Money (2 Kings 5:15-27)
Gehazi was Prophet Elisha’s servant. He had a strange attitude to money which later fetched him leprosy. He ran after Naaman to collect what the master had rejected. It is more than covetousness. His attitude is you PAY for EVERYTHING even for laying-on of hands or healing a sick man. No Gehazi believes in helping people free of charge, they don’t believe in sowing seed even when God says so. They siphon both the rich and the poor that comes their way. The fact remains that they always end up with leprosy. The right attitude is you understanding that THERE IS TIME TO RECEIVE MONEY and time to GIVE MONEY. It is even more blessed to give than to receive. Every spirit filled believer need to deal with this Gehazi attitude.
The Merchant Attitude to Money (Matt. 25:14-30)
This is you developing your enterprising skills. A lot of believers are poor businessmen. That which God has given to you should multiply and not reduce. Be like the servants who multiplied their talents. Expand your business horizon and get more information concerning your trade. You have the grace and the wisdom so you should be better than others. It is in your making profit that God is glorified. Pray that God should teach you how to make profit from your business.
“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel: I am the Lord, thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” – Is. 48:17
Jesus’ Attitude to Money (Matt. 17:24-27; 22:17-22)
Our Lord’s attitude to money was very simple but straightforward. When the tax collectors came to Him, knowing fully well it is not right to pay to them because of His personality, yet He did, in order to avoid offending them. It is wiser to avoid strife than to always prove your right. The next time they came to Him and ask whether it is right to give Ceasar or not? he simply told them to give to Ceasar that which belongs to him and to God that which is His.
As you develop the right attitude towards money, you will see the way your finances will give you rest. Believe God to release to you His good treasure in this coming year.
The Lord shall multiply that which you have now in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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