(The following is the March 25 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Luke 16 and pay close attention to verses 1-13.)
We reveal our priorities partly by how we use and think about money. We can hoard it, never spending more than we must. We can be frivolous with it and let it pass through our fingers as quickly as we receive it. We can desire it such that we spend our days accumulating more and our nights worrying about managing or keeping it. Or we can have a healthier perspective and see money as a tool for securing our basic needs, blessing others, and contributing to the Lord’s work. We can serve money, or money can serve us.
After Jesus told the disciples a parable about a dishonest, shrewd manager, he concluded, “No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other; or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (v. 13). Christ and money cannot both be the center of one’s life. Christ alone is Lord, and he will not share that throne with another. Love for God must drive who we are and what we do in every aspect of life, including our finances.
Christians have a tremendous opportunity to use finances to serve the Lord. Resources are needed to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations. Churches need generous, sacrificial offerings to do our collective work. Additionally, we can privately use our finances to bless those less fortunate and support organizations and individuals who do positive, meaningful work.
Make sure your money serves you and Christ and that you do not serve money. “You cannot serve both God and money.” Our Lord Jesus is the only One worthy of that.
Next Step:
Reflect on your use of money in the past year. Has it served you and Christ well, or did you serve it? Commit to any necessary changes in your view and use of finances, prioritizing its use for God’s kingdom.