10 Lies About Money

QUESTIONS

10 LIES ABOUT MONEY

It is a well know fact that everyone wants to attain a level of financial independence, and we live in a world where money speaks and is revered. Money is important, but how important is it? Over the past few years of being in pastoral ministry, I have heard a lot if misconceptions which people have believed about money. These are beliefs and ideas about money which people hold deep in their psyche which inadvertently tell them how they approach money. The operational or attitudinal framework for finances has often been determined by these beliefs and ideas. But the problem is that when we create our framework based on these set of misconceptions, exaggerations and lies, we are bound to fail. These lies in themselves constitute hindrances and are channels of profound disappointment. It is not what one knows that usually get him into trouble, rather it is what he knows that is not true.

Life is full of lies and misconceptions (i.e. fallacies) and money is not exempted from such. There are so many of these lies about money, but I have singled out ten which I believe are very prominent. I really want to see people liberated from whatever deception that is hindering them from fulfilling the purpose of God for their lives. My earnest desire to hand down to people some biblical principles about several issues of life that will make them live successfully.

Financial prosperity is simply having enough of God’s provision to complete His instruction for you life. One of the needs people come to me most is their financial problems. I guess I have an idea of what it means to be in prosperity and I also have an idea of what is means to be poverty. One of the tools Satan is using to destroy morale, goals and joy of accomplishment is financial constraint. Read this booklet with an open mind toward God and see how you can become a winner in the financial area of your life.

Lies are deadly. Over the centuries, marriages have broken up because of a lie. Lifetime dreams have been shattered like glass upon concrete because of a lie. Emotional scars have forever been engraved on the soul because of a lie. Havoc. Destruction. Chaos. All kinds of tragedies have taken place because somebody lied. Your happiness depends on something you believe. Success or failure depends on your believing a lie or the truth. In marriage, in health, in spiritual matters and even in finances, what you believe makes all the difference. All of us from childhood can remember moments we believed a lie. Lies could be harmless sometimes but most times very devastating. So, lies must be avoided.

One of the greatest needs of life is money.

Sit with the minister counseling the young married couple-money

Look at the youth in prison for stealing-money

Listen to the missionary from missions’ field sharing the needs of his ministry-money

Talk of the weary overworked husband –money

Read the Holy Bible. The teachings of Jesus Christ include this powerful topic – money.

Thousand they do not understand the truth about – money.

As a Pastor, I have always seen people with fake reference letters and medical reports about an ailment that does exist, all because they need-money.

So many wives have committed adultery; as many young girls have committed fornication because they need – money.

People have done all kinds of things because of money. Some are living in poverty because they believe that they are not entitled to be rich in this life. Some have gone into dubious practices because they believe it is their right to be financially rich at all cost. Is money important or unimportant? Is aspiring to be financially stable lack of vision for heaven? Does the Bible, God’s word have anything tangible and meaningful to say about money? These and more questions are what I have set out to address in this booklet.

Here are a few of the very common lies and misconceptions about money that I have encountered in the last few years. You may have heard or even believed some of these in your own life, but as you go through this work, I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will help you to glean some truths from it, which will help you to have a good understanding about money and set you on your way to financial blessings.   

MONEY IS UNIMPORTANT

For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights... (James 1:17).

It is the belief of some folks that money is unimportant. But let me quickly reaffirm that money is important. Money is very important. Life hinges on it. Money is one of the power parts of our world. With it we bargain, trade and exchange our way through life! Shelter, food, medical care, education, and even other issues of life involve money. Money is basic means of transaction between human beings. In times of war or peace, love or hatred...money talks.

Mental conditioning and fear can often lead us to have a negative approach towards money, when we should in fact embrace the need for wealth and do our utmost to maximize wealth. Many people envy those with money, while at the same time they fail to channel their own energy properly towards changing their financial conditions. Most of us never even question the negative or positive things we are told about money; however these money myths can jeopardize our path to financial freedom and cause us huge damages. Without money, attaining a certain level of wealth and prosperity would be unrealistic.

MONEY IS EVIL

What? How absurd and yet people actually believe it that something that can feed starving people, clothe them and out a roof over their head is possibly evil. Human sentiments and bias can create a tide against wealth accumulation and may lead to labeling the acquisition of wealth evil. Not having money can be a huge burden, so seeking to lift that burden must surely be good not evil. Wanting to have nice things in a nice home is fine and who says that increasing your security and comfortability could ever be the wrong thing to do.

Many people misquote the Bible verse when the Apostle Paul wrote Timothy: For the love of money is the root of all evil... (I Timothy 6:10).  This scripture surely does not say that money is evil, but that the love of, or obsession for money is the root or beginning of evil. This is true because the love of money is idolatry. It is the worship of the creation instead of the Creator. This therefore asserts that the only evil thing about money is obsession with the acquisition.

God is the Owner of wealth. Haggai 2:8: The silver Mine and gold is Mine, saith the Lord of host.

God is the Giver of wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18; But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth...

When God gives you a gift, it must have value, importance and purpose for your life. Every good gift and very perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father... (James 1:7).

God would never give evil gifts to His children. it is the misuse and abuse of money that can be evil. Not money itself. For example, fire destroys homes, beautiful forest and kills human beings. Yet properly controlled, it is a tremendous tools for cooking food, warning houses and running automobile engine. Flood waters have drowned many human lives. Yet, water is necessary for human life. Cleanliness and even nature depend on it. So it is with money. It can be used for good!

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and prosper and be in health, even as thy soup prospereth (3 John 2)

MONEY NEVER AFFECTS ANYONE

What in your own thinking is behind the mysterious magnetism of gold? Men have killed for money. Men have deserted children and wife search of gold, you see, the basic craving of man is a sense of worth, a sense of importance. Money represents power, influence, achievements and security. And it intoxicates. Jesus referred to this as the deceitfulness of riches which arrested spiritual development (see Mathew 13:22). It gives a false of security. This is the reason why king Solomon referred to all as vanity upon vanity. Wise and wealthy ruler also advised, For riches are not forever... and ...riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward Heaven (Proverbs 27:24; Proverb 23:5)

Money often produces pride, which could be spiritually devastating (see Mark 10:25), and its pursuit consumes time and thought thereby becoming a god (see Matthew 6:24). It is guaranteed that he that trusteth in his riches shall fall... (Proverbs 11:28). Yes, money can affect one negatively and absolutely

MONEY WILL CURE ALL YOUR PROBLEMS AND GUARANTEE PERSONAL HAPINESS

Unfortunately, the rich also cry (see Ecclesiastes 5:12). Money is good but sometimes it is very fragile and exposes the possessors to dangers like bitterness, frustration, loneliness, suicide, etc. it is often assumed that as income increases substantially, that there would be equivalent increase in happiness, and peace. Studies tell us, however, that once you have gotten beyond a certain level of poverty and well being, having more money doesn’t contribute to increased happiness. Having more money as the ultimate goal won’t lead to happiness, but often will lead to the opposite. True happiness can only be found through faith in Christ Jesus, and developing good family and healthy relationship with others.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 says: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver... Neither is his eye satisfied with riches... (Ecclesiastes 4:8). It is having a purpose in life, not possessions, that is truly satisfying. And that purpose can only be realized in the person of Jesus Christ. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1 John 5:12)

Unbelievers often ignore the problems of prosperity, and believers often ignore the purpose for prosperity. For this lack of knowledge therefore many have perished (Hosea 4:6). But your own experience could be different and positively better-off.

SOME ARE GIFTED FOR WEALTH AND SOME ARE DESTINED FOR POVERTY

This ridiculous lie has destroyed initiative, drive and motivation in many people who are divinely destined to succeed. Many capable people have believed that, Whatever is, was meant to be, but I don’t believe it! Acquiring wealth is not a sole prerogative of a particular class of people, neither is poverty anybody’s birthright. The truth is that through the development of your God-given talents and the principles of giving, you determine the financial harvest of you life.

Hard work means prosperity; only a fool idles away his time...Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed (Proverbs 12:11, 24, TLB). Work brings profit; talk brings poverty! (Proverbs 14:23, TLB).  

God explained that financial curse or financial blessing depended on the attitude of obedience: Blessed shalt thou be... (Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14) or cured shalt thou be... (Read Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Malachi 3:8-11 reveals the reason why many are not prosperous:

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; and neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Making money is not easy, but there is nothing worthwhile that is actually easy. Unfortunately, many have been deceived and duped by the get-rich-syndrome and syndicates. Anyone who has achieved a reasonable financial worth can tell you that the only way to get there is hard work, perseverance an applying the right skills or knowledge.

There are always solutions to improve your monetary situation and if you find a sensible one and stick to it, you will slowly see a positive rewards over time. Be persistent! Don’t get distracted by the get-rich-quick schemes or any one who promises fast money. The only sure way to fast money is gambling and that comes with the probable risk of a fat loss. Don’t get distracted by those willing to tell you what you want to hear, these are often just as bad as the charlatans, they just use smart, seductive approaches, but the end result is the same you will settle with empty pockets. The secret to wealth is no secret at all. Find the right work, work hard, save money, prioritize your spending, and invest wisely. If you do these five things, definitely monetary rewards will follow and wealth will indeed increase.

Money is not hard to come y, but by the same token it is not easy to pluck from the tree either, but just like everything there is always a way, you just have to be prepared to do the work to get the rewards. The fact remains that every human being is destined to be in wealth or property. The choice is yours!

GOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO BE FINANCIALLY PROSPEROUS

This is not true! The needs and necessities of this life demand financial blessings. Jesus assured us, ...your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things (Mathew 632). The Apostle Paul denounced the man who would not provide for his family: But if any provide not for his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (I Timothy 5:8).

Prosperity is not a privilege, but the right of every child of God. For it is written, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John2)

God Is Your Source. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto children, how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him? (Mathew 7:11).

God Gives Wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth... (Deuteronomy 8:18). He promised Solomon: I will give thee riches, and waekth... (2 Chronicles 1:12). God hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant (Psalm 35:27).

Money is a toll. While money may become a snare for the unbeliever, it is the Christian’s tool for evangelization. There two types of achievers in the Christian world:

Those who GO. He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). 

Those who SEND. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. (Romans 10:14, 15).

Money in the hands of Christians is a threat to Satan. As we spread the gospel, the timing of the return of Christ is even affected. Satan’s period of power can be shortened when believers use prosperity as a tool for God’s work! And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Mathew 24:14). Through our giving, missionaries are sent, Christian television and radio stations established, churches built, and Bibles printed. Prosperity is having enough of God’s supply to complete His instructions for your life, enough of his provisions to accomplish His commands. Therefore, go and prosper!

THE ONLY WAY TO ACQUIRE MONEY IS TO LIE, STEAL OR CHEAT

This lie says that the only way to get ahead is to sleazy, money-oriented and to have no integrity. People have a misconception that the rich are often just un-ethical and immoral people. Quite to the contrary, Thomas J. Stanley in his book The Millionaire Next Door, found that high net worth individuals almost always say that one of the biggest reasons that they were successful was because of the high value they place on integrity. In a way it make sense because who wants to do business with someone that is unethical or who will cheat them? Those who are unethical are usually found out and don’t succeed in the long run.

Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow (Proverbs 13:11)

While losers wait for some magic moment of luck, or the short-cuts, the winner works God’s Principles of prosperity. Your financial circumstance depends on four factors:

Sourcing: Looking for sound, legal ideas of making money.

Spending: Following God’s timing for purchases, spending wisely, and not by worldly influences or advertising pressures.

Saving: The discipline of planning ahead (see Proverbs 6:6).

Sharing: Releasing offerings into ministries for the work of spreading the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). 

REGULARITY OF GIVING AND AMOUNT OF YOUR MONEY DOES NOT REALLY MATTER TO GOD

This is a wrong conclusion. Inconsistent, erratic giving does not produce consistent harvest. The successful farmer depends on the regularity of evolving seasons, not momentary feelings.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him... (I Corinthians 16:2).

Whether weekly or monthly, establish the success pattern of consistent giving to your home church and various ministries that bless you. Jesus noted the size of offerings (Read Mark 12:42-44). He respected sacrificial giving; doing without temporal things temporarily, to secure the eternal benefits. The attitude is revealed by the amount we keep for ourselves, and that which is given back to God: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

God sees our giving based on what is left after we have given. You can’t give God