Is Money Your Master Or Your Servant?

It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his portion. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his portion and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.” vs. 18-19 Money is a wonderful gift from God! Money makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master. All the good gifts that God has given us are and have been misused by man. This is surely true of money. For the Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.” But to work hard using the gifts God has given you; to enjoy the fruit of your labor with your family and friends; this is the gift of God. Only through knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can one find true peace and contentment. “This is the gift of God.”

Money is a gift from God for our good. It is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. How is money to serve us? With money we provide for the needs of our family. 1Tim. 5:8 ” But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” With money we help those in need and express our love for God and our neighbor. Jam.1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Money is to be used to do good works. 1Tim.6:18 ” That they do good, that they be rich in good works.” Money is to be used to reach people for Christ. Lk.16:9 “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Money is to be used to support those who are God’s servants doing the work of preaching and teaching the Word. 1Tim.5:17,18 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1Cor.9:11,14 “If we have sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.” Money is also to be enjoyed as a good gift from God. 1 Tim.6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” If our relationship with God is right we can use money as our servant. But for all too many money becomes our terrible master and idol.

When money is our idol, our master, there can only be temporary peace, contentment and joy. “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.” vs.10 The more money we make the more we need to make. The more we make the more we spend. “When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes?” vs.11 Our text also tells us the one who loves money is often robbed of sleep, unable to enjoy his money. He may even lose the money that he has held on to so tightly. We will all leave all of our things behind in this life. “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return.” vs.15 Only the people who we have influenced for Christ will be with us in heaven!

In your few days that you have under the sun will you love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Will you love God and your neighbor? Will you use the money God has given you as a gift and trust from God? Enjoy the portion God has entrusted to you. Use it wisely for His glory and your good. If money is your master and false god; It will not save your soul, give you peace. Remember! “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Ex.20:3 “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” 1 Jn.5:21 Enjoy your life with God all your days under the sun. To God be the glory. Amen.