What your attitude to money reveals about your heart

It’s been estimated that there are 2,350 verses in the Bible about money and generosity. We often don’t like to face the reality that Jesus had a lot to say about money in his teachings, and what he had to say was very challenging. One of the ways that we try to avoid this truth is by spiritualising it away.

The story about a man we call “The Rich Young Ruler” is a good case in point. The story goes like this:

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:17–25.)

It is very difficult for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

What just happened here? What is this story about?

If you ask different people, they will give you different answers. Some people will tell you that the story is about commitment. The young man wasn’t committed enough to follow Jesus. Or perhaps the story is about selfishness. The young man was too selfish to follow Jesus.

I think there’s some truth in both of these ideas. But they are both also ways of avoiding the uncomfortable truth that this story is basically about money and wealth, and our attitudes to it. Jesus says as much in the lesson that he draws from it for his disciples. It is very difficult for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

Christianity has nothing at all to do with how much money you have.

That would have been a very confronting thing for the disciples to hear. That’s because they lived in a religious culture that taught that if you were wealthy, it was a blessing from God in recognition of the fact that you were his follower. The blessings of God, and especially things like wealth and health, were associated in the minds of the people with one’s standing with God. And, actually, if you think about it, there are strong streams of that kind of thinking in Christianity today as well.

By telling this rich young man to sell everything and to give it to the poor if he wanted to follow him, Jesus was effectively telling him and us that Christianity has nothing at all to do with how much money you have. You don’t need a single cent to follow Jesus. You can be a billionaire or a beggar and still be loved and accepted by God. There is absolutely no correlation between your wealth and your standing with God. Contrary to what many Christians today believe, that correlation is not a positive one: in other words, it is not true that the more faithful you are to God, the more he will financially bless you.

Our attitude to money reveals the truth of whom we worship.

But there definitely is a correlation between your attitude to money and your relationship with God. Throughout all the teachings of Jesus we see that this correlation is a negative one. In other words, the more you love money, the less you will love Jesus, and conversely the more you love Jesus, the less you will make money the centre of your life.

Why? It’s not because there is anything inherently magical or spiritual about money. It’s just metal and paper. But it represents power in our society, and every human being, whether we admit it or not, worships what we consider is most powerful and we want it for ourselves. As a result, money is the biggest idol. Our attitude to money reveals the truth of whom we worship, whether we sit in a church every Sunday or not.

So ask yourself: How generous are you? Or, another question: How do you justify your lack of generosity?

Article supplied with thanks to Dr Eliezer Gonzalez.

About the Author: Dr Eli Gonzalez is the Senior Pastor of Good News Unlimited and the presenter of the Unlimited radio spots, and The Big Question. Sign up to his free online course called Becoming a Follower of Jesus to learn about Jesus and His message.

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Money can feel messy for many Christians. On one hand we want to be generous and focused on eternal things. On the other hand bills arrive, kids need schooling, and culture pushes us to upgrade everything.

The result is confusion, guilt, and anxiety about finances. But money is not inherently unspiritual. When handled well, it becomes a powerful tool to serve others and advance the things that matter most.

Three Reasons Christians Commonly Struggle with Money

• There are a few clear patterns that keep people stuck. 
• Money is rarely taught, at school, in many families, and often not in church either. So people grow up with little practical financial education. 
• A spiritual tension around money. Many believe building wealth or thinking about finances is somehow selfish or unspiritual. That leads to avoidance instead of wise stewardship. 
• Culture pushes consumption. We live in a constant upgrade economy that encourages spending beyond our means. Mixed messages create stress and keep people unsure how to start. 

Money is a Tool, Not a God 

There is an important distinction between money itself and the love of money. The Bible warns about the love of money. Money becomes dangerous only when it becomes an idol. 

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. 

Used correctly, money enables good. It provides for families, funds ministries, starts businesses and helps the poor. The problem is when money becomes the master instead of the servant. Guarding the heart is essential. The goal is not to demonize money, but to learn how to use it for Kingdom purposes. 

What Stewardship Looks Like in Everyday Life 

Stewardship simply means managing what has been entrusted to us. That includes time, talent and treasure. There is a spiritual side and a practical side. 

Spiritual aspects 

• Living generously and sacrificially. 
• Guarding against greed and idolatry. 
• Inviting God into financial decisions and seeking wisdom. 

Practical habits 

• Living within your means. 
• Avoiding unnecessary debt. 
• Saving wisely and planning for the future. 
• Allocating money intentionally for giving, needs and goals. 

All of these practical actions are consistent with biblical teaching. Honoring God with our finances is both spiritual and practical. 

The Biggest Money Mistake: No Plan 

One of the most common mistakes is living without a plan. Without a budget or clear goals people tend to react to circumstances instead of directing money towards what matters. The consequences are predictable. Debt creeps in, giving becomes a challenge and stress grows. 

When you build a simple plan and allocate money intentionally, it changes behavior and creates peace. Commit those plans to God and ask for wisdom as you plan. 

How to Get Started When You Feel Overwhelmed

If you are feeling pressure from the cost of living or just uncertain where to begin, start small. Little steps compound over time. A simple starter routine looks like this.

• Track every expense for a month. Write down every transaction so you know exactly where your money goes.
• Set simple goals. Decide how much to give, save and use for essentials. Even modest percentages move you forward.
• Create a basic budget. Allocate income toward needs, debt repayment, savings and generosity.
• Make a debt plan. Choose a method to pay down debt and be consistent.
• Invite God into the process. Ask for wisdom, then act with faith and discipline.

Tracking your spending is the single most powerful first step. Awareness builds control and reduces reactive decisions.

Generosity as a Financial Posture 

Generosity should be central to a Christian financial life. Jesus modeled radical generosity. Our response to that grace is to live generously toward others. Generosity does more than help people. It also breaks the power that money can have over us. Giving shifts the heart away from hoarding and toward service. 

Generosity produces joy and shows tangible impact. When money is used to help others, support ministry and meet real needs, it creates meaning beyond mere accumulation. Start small and increase as you are able. The habit of giving reconfigures priorities and frees you from the fear of scarcity. 

Practical Checklist to Start Right Away 

Article supplied with thanks to Wealth with Purpose.

About the Author: Alex is a licensed financial planner and the founder of Wealth with Purpose a Stewardship Ministry that helps Christians handle their money God’s way.

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