Answers
By BGEA Admin • May 16, 2023 • Topics: Money
Q:
My circle of friends is diverse; some wealthy, others brilliant, and a few of us are average but content—we enjoy volunteering to ministry outreaches. Those considered “successful” say I haven’t reached my potential because I don’t have a big home, a fancy car, or an ideal job. Is money God’s outward blessing on a person’s life?
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
If people get their attitudes right toward money, it will help straighten out almost every other area of life. This is why Jesus spoke about money and said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Though His Gospel is spiritual, Jesus had much to say about material things, because there’s always a relationship between the two. Grace and gold are inseparably bound up together. As long as God’s kingdom is upon Earth, money is closely tied to our spiritual lives, but it should never be above the things of God. This is why the Bible says, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
The chief motive of the selfish person is “to get.” The chief motive of the dedicated Christian should be “to give.” The Prodigal Son set off a series of negative events marked for failure when he said to his father, “Give me the portion of goods that falls to me” (Luke 15:12). But Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given.” It’s a promise, and we know that Jesus never breaks His promises. His blessings come in many ways, not necessarily in financial terms. Christian joy is completely independent of health, money, or surroundings.
The Lord also says, “Give, and it will be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38). This leads to living an abundant life that is promised to God’s people.
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
