Money & Identity: Moving Beyond Obligation to Grace

from Pastor Lane

Money…it makes people do funny, stupid, and unbelievable things…not unlike this video of the Flying Lizards illustrates.

Why do we hold such a strong desire for money? I love the answer that James MacDonald gives: “Because we believe money can do things that only God can do.” The truth is, money is only temporal and cannot sustain our needs. “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Prov. 11.4). Nevertheless we continue to put our hope in it, believing that it will make us happy, content, appreciated, feel better about self or accepted by others.

When money is esteemed as providing for life what only God can provide: provision, security, safety, purpose, etc. we place our hope in it and establish our identity and value in life by it. Proverbs 18.11 says, “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.” When do I know that my hope is in money? When I think more highly toward those with money because I see that their house is nicer, their clothes are newer, their car is better, their luxuries are more abundant, and in all of these things I cannot help but think how much better my life would be…not with all of them, for that would be greedy…but maybe with only a few of them.

When must I confess that my identity is wrapped up in my wealth? I must confess this when I think less highly of those that do not, or at least do not seem to, have money. My thoughts toward others that may, or at least seem to, have less are not as high in respect. I may even have a thought of pity toward them because their clothes are not as nice, their car or house is not as new. I must confess this when I’m hesitant to let my kids play with theirs or to bring them too close in my life. Sure, the excuses that I put forth to avoid awkward situations are sound reasons that make complete sense. But the deeper thoughts of motivation rest with other perceptions.

When can I be sure that my trust is in my bank account? When I have the opportunity to give it away, even some of it, for purposes that I know to be God-ordained and yet I cannot let it go. I’m willing to give some, but not enough to in any way endanger my security, my safety, or my separation from the part of the world that I want nothing to do with.