What is the Lord’s View on Money?

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Dear Internet Pastor,

hi i’m a christian however i dont really have a christian background or many good sources to turn to.i am currently deeply confused with the lord’s views on money
well i’m 21 and the thing is my second greatest desire is wealth,a big part of which is the joys of financial wealth now the lord warns against desiring riches but is it really evil to want to be financially wealthy? so much good can be done with money in the right hands, so how can having a good thing be bad?
another question is on the lottery, i know of good christian who won the lottery and the lottery commission does do good in the community so is partaking it lottery bad?
lastly i would like to ask about god’s view on the law of attraction? i dont know if you have read the book “The Secret” but basically it says that we should ask “the universe” (which in my opinion is god) for things and be thankful and let these things come to us, which sounds good and all but on further research it has been condemned as “new age” and selfish which is against the christian way, but is a life of abundance non-christian? what would a christian do?
thank you for your time, i know i have gone on a little bit but i beg for your tolerance

Signed

Lord’s view on money

Dear Lord’s view,

The problem is really not about money or wealth, the problem comes from the love of money. It is not wrong to have an abundance of money or stuff, as long as you are able to keep your focus on the Lord. It is always about the motives and attitudes of our hearts.

Often times people believe that if they had a lot of money they would give it to God and His purposes, but the reality is that unless you are giving to God in your current situation, you won’t when you have more.

The problem with gambling is that it causes us to put our hope in something other than God. It has also caused tremendous social problems in families and communities (i.e. spending money gambling rather than buying groceries).

We need to ask God for our needs not the universe. God created the universe, the universe is not god.

It seems as though God has made money the acid test of our faith. Every believer must decide where they will place their trust. Will they trust God or will they trust money?

Ultimately, happiness doesn’t come from acquiring wealth. It comes from learning to be content regardless of what you are circumstances are. It is only when we learn the secret of contentment that we will ever truly enjoy this life that God has given us.

These were all good questions. I will add some verses here for you to consider as well.

Hope that helps!

1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The following verse is about the attitude and motives of our hearts.

Matthew 19:16-30 (NIV)
16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Online Pastor

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