How Should I Relate to Money?

How should I relate to money? Why is greed a bad thing? Because money does not buy happiness or heaven! Greed and covetousness are responsible for some of the worst evils our world has seen. How many families have been destroyed over fighting about inheritance dues? How many relationships have been sacrificed for the time, effort and stress that goes into the accumulation of wealth? How many people have traded their personal integrity in an effort to become wealthy through deception or fraud? How many people have no time to think about spiritual things because of their preoccupation with this world's financial round of activities? Simply put, greed and covetousness hurt people.

Jesus told a story about a man who was a good, law abiding citizen, someone who we might even look up to as an example of hard work and wise financial management. However, this man's fault was a spirit of covetousness and greed. He did not view his earthly riches as either the gift of God nor as a means of blessing for those around him. Instead, he was a hoarder of earthly wealth for personal ease and comfort. In the story of the rich fool, Jesus makes it clear that the blessings of God are for sharing, not for hoarding. Money is a spiritual gift and what we do with our money reveals our priorities. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. We need to lose ourselves in service to others. Greed is idolatry and the love of money is the root of all evil. On the other hand, when wealth is employed by unselfish and loving hearts, it can accomplish an incredible amount of God for growing the Kingdom of God and alleviating this world's suffering.

This video was produced in partnership with Hope Channel New Zealand and originally aired on television under the title "More than a Story: Bigger Isn't Always Better" (episode 21 of 24).