Do you handle your money or does money handle you?

Although some people feel empowered by it, money by itself has no power.  When it comes into the hands of a human, it will carry out the motives of the spirit within its possessor.

In other words: If you are wicked, sneaky, bitter or stingy, so will your money be.  In contrast, if you are compassionate, generous, wise or strategic, so will your money be.  Your money will either be controlled by an evil force or a Godly one.  Money gets its power from whatever spiritual force that is influencing you.

But people who are trying to get rich fall into temptation.
They are trapped by many stupid and harmful passions
that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves
with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.
– 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (Common English Bible)

I had to learn hard lessons on how to handle my money.  First, I had to trust that God is my total provision.  No longer would I allow wrong influences to alter my values and character to obtain wealth.  Here are some past examples:

• Turn a blind eye to those who were mean to others to protect my income flow
• Engage in activities that did not agree with my spirit for the potential to make more money
• Befriend or date someone based on their perceived “money status”
• Tolerate “mess” because money was involved and to be gained
• Pretend, instead of being my true self, for financial promotion

Even in today’s modern society of enlightenment, you and I witness evil influences causing humans to act in the following ways:

• Lie, steal or cheat others for notoriety and monetary bribes
• Judge and oppress the less fortunate for increase
• Sell themselves or others for sex, slavery, abuse, etc.
• Marry, Uproot or Divorce their family solely for financial gain
• Kill people or animals for blood money
• Reject God in order to engage in deplorable acts for immense wealth

Understand that the last days will be dangerous times.
People will be selfish and love money.
They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud.
They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents.
They will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical.
They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good.

They will be people who are disloyal, reckless, and conceited.
They will love pleasure instead of loving God.
They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power.
Avoid people like this. – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Common English Bible)

There is nothing wrong with having an abundance of money.  The final result depends on what power lies behind it and how you manage or “handle” it.  You may desire to be rich and to use money as a means to fund mission projects and aid others.  You can do great things and impact the world with significant monetary resources.  However… Money is a tool, not a Savior.

Friend, know that only God can provide all the things money tries to buy.  Money can buy the best medicine, but only God provides ultimate healing.  Money can buy you status and companionship, but only God can provide unconditional love and joy.  Money can buy you a nice car, but only God provides your daily life to enjoy the ride. Your Heavenly Father wants to fulfill all of your needs.  You will never have to devalue yourself to increase with Him!  Trust that His ways always lead you to an abundant, peaceful and successful life that you can handle.  Allow God to be the power and influence behind your money!