Money: A Test We ALL Take.

Let’s be honest—money can get weird. It has a way of revealing what’s really going on inside us. Whether we’ve got a little or a lot, money tends to test us. And not just in big, dramatic ways. Sometimes it's in the everyday choices: how we spend it, how we give it, how we treat people because of it.

Here’s the thing we often forget: it all belongs to God anyway.“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)That includes the money in our wallets, our bank accounts, and even the things we think we earned completely on our own. We’re not owners—we’re stewards. We get to use it for a while, but ultimately, we’re managing something that isn’t really ours.

And that brings up a tough truth:We can either serve God or serve money—but we can’t do both (Matthew 6:24). That verse isn't about demonizing money. It's about priority. If money calls the shots in our lives—how we treat people, who we associate with, what we’re willing to compromise—then it might be time for a heart check.

Money becomes dangerous when we start using it to hurt others—withholding what’s fair, manipulating, or taking advantage. The Bible is pretty clear about that.“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you...” (James 5:4).That’s heavy. And it reminds us that injustice doesn’t go unnoticed by God. If we’re using money to tear down instead of build up, there’s a reckoning at some point—even if it doesn’t happen right away.

There was a time in my life when someone didn’t pay me what I had worked hard for—what we had clearly agreed on. I remember how much it hurt. Not just financially, but emotionally too. I felt overlooked, dishonored, even used. And then, I watched Dean go through the same with someone who called him 'friend'. But here’s the wild part: God gave it back. Not just the money, but peace, provision, and opportunities neither of us planned for. It didn’t come when or how I expected, but God showed up like He always does.“The Lord will repay everyone for whatever good they do...” (Ephesians 6:8)

Then there’s this idea of “weighted scales.” This shows up a lot in Proverbs—like in 20:23: “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.”It’s talking about unfairness. Deception. People who use money and power to twist things in their favor while pretending to be upright. It’s not just shady—it’s a spiritual issue.

Here’s what it really comes down to:We’re blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2). God gives to us so we can give to others—not so we can hoard or flex or withhold help. When we live open-handed, we reflect the heart of the One who gave it all first.

We’re also told to love our neighbors—that’s not optional (Matthew 22:39). And part of loving others well is handling money with honesty and generosity. Not using it to control people. Not cutting corners. Not forgetting the peope who helped us get where we are.

Money isn’t bad. But it can be a trap. Pride and greed sneak in quietly, convincing us that more is never enough, that we deserve it all, that others don’t matter as much. But Proverbs reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

So here’s a reminder—for all of us, not just the “rich”:

• Check your heart.

• Pay people what they’ve earned.

• Don’t deceive yourself into thinking God hasn't taken account of how you used what you were given.

God sees what we do with what He gives. And when we use it to care for others, to build up and not tear down, we’re doing exactly what we were created for.And if someone’s wronged you financially? Stay the course. Don’t let it harden your heart.

God knows. He repays. In due time. In His way. And it’s always better than we imagined.