For many people, the quickest way to get their attention is to mention money. We can be captivated by money, and also make bad decisions because of it. If we are not careful, having money can give us a false sense of security and eventually make us feel as if we’re in bondage to it. The only way to achieve and maintain our financial freedom is by studying the Word of God.

God is well aware that we all need money, but He also knows how strong the potential is for an unhealthy attraction to it. Some people have a “Money makes the world go around” mindset, which can lead to greed and self-destruction. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10, NKJV). Many of us see daily news reports about people who kill, steal, or compromise their morals, all for money. It’s okay to have money, but a mindset that puts wealth and riches above all else is what really keeps us in financial bondage.

God wants to bless our finances, and we allow Him to do that when we have a proper attitude towards wealth. Some people allow their greed to drive them relentlessly toward the pursuit of money, but this turns a joyful life into one of drudgery and toil. During His ministry, Jesus reminded His disciples that life is about much more than money. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

Jesus cared a great deal about the relationship people can have with money. The rich young ruler demonstrated, by his response to Jesus, that he trusted in his wealth more than in God (Matthew 19:16-22). The opposite of this was the widow woman who trusted God enough to put her last bit of money into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44).

Regardless of what the world says, we are not our own source of prosperity. If we forget this, we can exhaust ourselves like hamsters running in a wheel trying to make ourselves happy with money. God is the source of all good things, including financial blessings. “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Money comes and goes, and we can’t trust it; however, God always takes care of those who trust Him more than money.

We can have faith in His promises to us in this area. Banks can fail, checking accounts can dry up, and employment prospects can be dim, but He’ll always be there for us when we need Him. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God wants us to have abundance and prosperity on all levels, and trusting Him puts us in a position to receive it.