Beware of Your Money

By Muana Khuptong

We often hear the phrase, "Money can’t bring you happiness." While it may sound cliché, it’s crucial to remember that money itself is not the ultimate goal in achieving success. If anyone measures success solely by the accumulation of wealth, they may find themselves among the loneliest people in the world. Too often, money is used to buy ambition, relationships, and influence. These pursuits are often tied to the approval of others: the desire to impress someone, to meet expectations, or to gain acceptance. But how much money is ever enough? The unsettling answer is always “just a little bit more.” Unfortunately, this pursuit has no limit.

As the saying goes, “Money is a good servant but a bad master.” It’s ironic how even the wisest and most powerful individuals can become trapped by financial greed. History shows that people often fall into disgrace through pride, sexual immorality, or financial misconduct. These vulnerabilities—wealth, women, and worth—are age-old traps. However, wealth can also be a tool for good. It can uplift lives and transform communities. By helping those who are struggling financially, even one person at a time, we contribute to a better society. As Proverbs 19:17 reminds us, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”

Some might view donations to fight poverty as a financial loss, but in truth, it is one of the greatest investments one can make. While the results may not be immediate, the long-term impact of helping someone in need is invaluable.

The Bible encourages us to use our wealth wisely, even suggesting we use it to “gain friends.” At first glance, this might seem like paying for friendship. However, in Luke 16:9, Jesus says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” This verse highlights the importance of using our resources to support spiritual causes. By giving to the Gospel and helping others come to know Christ, we are making an eternal impact. Imagine entering God’s kingdom and seeing lives that were touched by your financial generosity—souls saved because you chose to give.

Giving to the Church, particularly the practice of tithing 10% of one’s income, is often misunderstood by those who are spiritually lost. Yet, it is one of the wisest investments. The Bible even challenges us to test God in this matter.

As Malachi 3:10 says:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

The Bible addresses financial stewardship far more often than it mentions hell. This underscores the importance of money management in God’s eyes. How we handle our finances reflects our relationship with Him. Generosity and financial stewardship reveal the state of our spiritual health.

Money has the power to make friends or foes, to bring blessings or curses. As some say, “There are people so poor that all they have is money.” True wealth is not in how much we have but in how we use it. Real success lies in helping those in need, not hoarding wealth for personal gain.

So, beware of money. It can either lift you up or bring you down. Use it wisely.