Stingy = Unhappy

Oct 8, 2015Everything book, Find joy today

Money (and lack of it) brings stress. And managing our bills often feels like slavery, not freedom. Our relationship with money can either break us or bring great joy. My prayer for you is that you would dare to have a godly view of money.

First, let’s put money in its place.

“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10 NLT).

Why is loving money a problem? Because money replaces God in our lives. If we’re sick, we pay some money for a doctor and a prescription. If we’re sad, we grab a bag of chips (that cost money). If we are feeling inferior, we buy clothes or cars or trinkets that elevate our esteem. In hundreds of different ways, we substitute money for God. We run to it first to solve our problems and fill our hearts.

In Everything I wrote, “Money is a cheap but powerful substitute for Jesus, and wielding money is intoxicating, but it won’t usher in the kingdom of God, nor will it ensure eternal treasures.” (p. 131).

Let’s take a little inventory of your money quotient:

  1. How much of each day do you spend worrying about money?
  2. Looking back over the past five years, how has God provided for you?
  3. How did your faith grow during your lean years? How did it stagnate?
  4. Randy Alcorn wrote, “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living but to raise my standard of giving.” How has your standard of giving risen over the past year?
  5. How does God want you to view your money right now?
  6. What kind of financial freedom would you like to see in the next six months?
  7. Who in your life exemplifies great money freedom?

So how should we relate to money? With open hands. When we truly internalize the truth that God owns everything, we stop worrying so much about our perceived lack of resources. We learn the art of gratitude, for being thankful for what God has provided instead of being frustrated at what He seemingly hasn’t. We give money away freely because we have a heart to take care of God’s children, no matter who they are or what their need is.

[Tweet ““True growth happens not in the hoarding, but in the releasing.” #Everythingbook”]

Prayer: Jesus, help me live open-handed, not tight-fisted. I don’t want money to control me. I don’t want to worry about it all day long. I want to be set free and find joy in my finances. I want to be generous. I don’t want to run to money before I run to You. Fill me up. Help me have gratitude and contentment with what I do have, and help me trust You and Your timing for what I don’t have. Amen.


This is an ongoing Thursday series based on the book Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus. It’s the book I wrote that details how exactly we can grow in our relationship with Jesus in a life-altering, hope-fueling way. It’s everything I know about discipleship and growth.

12 STEPS TO IMPOSSIBLE JOY-goldenrodThis particular blog post is ripped directly from my free ebook, 12 Steps to Impossible Joy. I’d like you to have it. Just click the button below to receive the free PDF.

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