Money is a neutral commodity, a means of exchange. It is neither inherently good nor evil. But a wrong view of money can become a problem to us.

In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Scripture warns about the dangers of a determination to get rich: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

When we have a consuming desire to get rich, when we are obsessed with money so that it becomes the focus of our time and attention, then we have made it the number one priority in our lives. In that spot, it replaces everything, including God. We begin to find our security in money, not in God and in God alone.

However, when our view of God is right and our view of money is right, we will realize that money cannot buy security; money cannot purchase happiness; money cannot guarantee peace or joy or contentment. God alone can provide these essentials as we " . . . seek first his kingdom and his righteousness."

In his book, The Gift of Giving, Wayne Watts said this: "God always lovingly instructs us in the path that is in our best interest and which will bring us the greatest happiness in life. Therefore, for our good, He instructs us to put Him first in all things, and this includes how we use our money."

How do you view money? Is it at the center of your life, thereby perhaps replacing God's rightful role? And equally important, are you using the money God has given to you to advance His kingdom and His righteousness?

Money is a neutral commodity, a means of exchange. It is neither inherently good nor evil.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33