What is the purpose of money? It’s crucial to ask, given we often struggle with earning, saving, spending, and giving away money. Many subscribe to financial newsletters to improve their finances, but have you considered its true purpose in your life?
Merriam-Webster defines money as, “any article or substance used as a medium of exchange.” Whether it’s paper, precious metals, or coins, our stewardship of money plays a far bigger role than simply making ends meet or reaching a particular retirement goal.
A Warning about Money
“But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.” 1 Tim 6:9-10 (MSG)
History shows us that the love of money has launched wars, caused nations to fall, broken families, and has led individuals to murder, steal, gamble, lie and much more. One well-known example in the Scriptures is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Money has its purpose in our lives, but we can quickly be overcome by it if we do not guard our hearts.
Three Biblical Purposes for Money
When we examine Luke 16, three key purposes surface:
- Money is to be used as a tool to advance God’s Kingdom on earth;
- Our stewardship of it is a test to determine our responsibility in Heaven;
- It serves as a trademark of our life to everyone around us.
A Tool
The first part of Luke 16 shares about a manager who was mishandling his master’s possessions. Knowing he would soon give an account, he worked quickly to negotiate with each of his master’s debtors, reducing their total amount owed. Surprisingly, the master commends the servant for acting shrewdly. Then, Jesus makes a quick transition to communicate a powerful spiritual truth in verse nine, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” In other words, use your worldly wealth to advance God’s purposes so that many will welcome you in Heaven.
Right away I think of Ray Boltz’s song titled, “Thank You for Giving to the Lord”. In this song, we see examples of people who are in Heaven because of the service and giving of others. The chorus really sums up the point Jesus is making:
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
We have such a short time on earth. We must leverage the time we have to invest in Kingdom advancement so many will welcome us in Heaven.
A Test
This purpose of money surfaces in verses 10-12: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
It’s clear that God is watching how we use His money. The real issue is if we are trustworthy with what he has provided us financially. Then, we see a direct correlation with how we utilize His money on earth to the true riches in Heaven. It’s a sobering thought to stand in front of the King of Kings and to hear we were not trustworthy, but what a glorious thought to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A Trademark
Companies invest millions to gain brand loyalty for their products. Whether it’s Pepsi, Starbucks or Apple, we demonstrate our loyalties by what we purchase on a regular basis.
What brand or trademark do those closest to you see? Luke 16:13 surfaces this key purpose:
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Do your spending habits demonstrate that you are of this world or that everything you have belongs to God and that your loyalties rest with Him? Whether it’s our income or a previous purchase such as a car, a spare room in a house, a timeshare or extra food in the fridge, we must ask ourselves, “How am I using this for God?”
Using God’s money strategically and faithfully for Him will ensure that other’s see our trademark is God alone.