God, Money and My Heart
Money and possessions touch almost every area of our daily lives: our wishes, worries, career choices and plans for the future.
Introduction
Money and possessions touch almost every area of our daily lives: our wishes, worries, career choices and plans for the future.
Take a moment and ask yourself personally:
- Security: Where do I truly feel secure – in my bank account and possessions, or in God's promise for my life?
- Worth: Do I unconsciously link my own worth, or the wealth of others, with God's blessing or performance?
- Giving: Is it easy for me to give, or do I hold on to possessions out of fear of lack?
Block 1: God Is the Owner – We Are Stewards
Everything belongs to God; we own nothing in ourselves but manage His wealth.
Human possessions are only ever on loan. When we recognize that God is the Creator and true Owner of all resources, our perspective changes: we do not need to cling anxiously, but may manage faithfully and responsibly what He has entrusted to us.
In the Bible, humans are appointed as stewards (oikonomos). This means that material means are not meant for self-display, but are to be used for God's honor and the good of others.
Block 2: The Danger – Greed, Idolatry and False Security
Money is a neutral tool, but the greed of money is the root of all evil.
Possessions in themselves are not sinful, but trusting in possessions and craving wealth are. Whoever sets his heart on money turns it into a substitute god (mammon) that promises false security but makes us spiritually sluggish and unfree.
The Bible warns that greed is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Money promises independence from God, but in truth leads into bondage to worries and disappointments.
Block 3: The Freedom – From the Legal Tithe to Joyful Giving by Grace
Under grace there is no percentage-based obligation to tithe, but the freedom to give willingly and joyfully.
In many congregations the tithe is often taught as a rigid commandment. Biblically, however, the tithe was part of the Mosaic law for the people of Israel (to provide for the Levites and the poor). Today believers are not under law but under grace. God does not measure our giving by fixed percentages, but by the attitude of our heart.
In the Old Covenant the tithe was a levy within Israel's civil-religious system. For the ecclesia of the era of grace, Paul teaches not a law but the principle of free, uncompelled giving, as each one has purposed in his heart.
Block 4: The Refusal – No Prosperity Gospel, but Contentment
In the New Covenant God does not promise material wealth, but contentment and preservation in times of lack.
The teaching that true faith automatically leads to financial wealth (prosperity gospel) distorts the gospel. Earthly abundance was a specific promise of the Sinai covenant to Israel. For the ecclesia today the following applies: our blessing is spiritual in nature, in Christ, and we learn to be content in lack as well as in abundance.
In his letters Paul explicitly describes times of his own lack and distress. The standard for the believer is contentment (autarkeia, with food and covering).
Block 5: The Practice – Sharing Wealth and Living Mercy
God gives us means not for hoarding, but for doing good and helping the needy.
Whoever is materially blessed by God should pass this blessing on. True wealth shows itself in being rich in good works, generous and willing to share. This extends to one's own family, the congregation and those in need around the world.
Good works and generosity are never the reason for our salvation (which comes by grace alone), but the natural fruit of a saved life.
Conclusion: Summary
Christ is our true wealth – set free for a life of trust and love.
| No. | Key message |
|---|---|
| 1 | Money and possessions are transient – they can neither save nor fulfill our soul. |
| 2 | Everything belongs to God; we are only stewards. |
| 3 | The problem is not money, but the love of money. |
| 4 | No tithing law: we give freely and joyfully – by grace. |
| 5 | No prosperity gospel: our blessing is spiritual, in Christ. |
| 6 | In Christ we are already richly endowed and fully accepted. |
| 7 | Money is a tool: enjoy it with thanks, manage it wisely, share it joyfully. |
| 8 | Our security is not the bank account, but God's promise. |