The Importance of Hard, Wise, and Honest Work
God honors a hard worker. The Bible makes a clear connection between working diligently and experiencing an abundant life. While our finances may fluctuate during different seasons of life, we can be sure that setting our minds to work wisely and honestly will reap us a harvest of blessings. Work heartily unto the Lord and trust in His provision.
- “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. – Proverbs 10:4 ESV
- “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5 ESV
The Danger of Loving Money
God is gracious and wants to pour out blessings on our lives. But we need to be careful to not fall into the danger of loving money. Finances are a tool meant to help support us. But if we let money become an idol, it will lead to a selfish and greedy lifestyle. This isn’t only unhealthy, it’s destructive. Evil thoughts and bad habits can grow from a love of money. Money doesn’t last forever––so don’t build your life on it or it could slip through your fingers!
- “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NLT
- “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth––except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!” – Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 NLT
Be Content with What You Have
One of the best ways to prevent yourself from becoming a lover of money is to grow in contentment. We have a God who has never and will never fail us, who is working all things together for good, and who knows our every need. Find satisfaction in what God has given to You out of the goodness of His heart, because gratitude is a powerful weapon against greed.
- “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” – Hebrews 13:5 NLT
- “‘What should we do?’ asked some soldiers. John replied, ‘Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.’” – Luke 3:14 NLT
You Can Only Serve One Master
It may be tempting to think that we can love money and love God. But there is only room in our lives for one master. We have to decide what we will live for––building our wealth or building the Kingdom of God. Money promises short term satisfaction, but only God can bring us everlasting joy. Put your trust in God as He provides you all that you need to enjoy the wonderful life He’s given you.
- “‘No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.’” – Matthew 6:24 NLT
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. – 1 Timothy 6:17 NLT
Honor the Lord and Bless Others
Where and how we spend our money is a great indicator of our priorities. We should view our money as a blessing from the Lord that is meant to do three things: Honor God, sustain us, and bless others. Your finances aren’t just for you. Give God your best and seek opportunities to help others in need when you’re able.
- “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” – Proverbs 3:9 NLT
- “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion––how can God’s love be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17-18 NLT
- “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” – 1 Timothy 6:18-19 NLT
Think of Those Who Come After You
Beyond the here and now, we should think about how we use our finances for the sake of those who come after us. We can’t take our wealth with us to heaven, but we can leave behind a blessing for our loved ones that will help them build their lives. Imagine the incredible opportunity you have to leave behind something for the generations that follow you.
- “But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.” – 1 Timothy 5:8 NLT
- “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.” – Proverbs 13:22 NLT
Need more financial advice when it comes to holiday shopping? Read Using Your Money Wisely During the Holidays
