Years ago, Robert Wuthnow, a Princeton sociologist, wrote a book titled God and Mammon in America. The book explored the relationship between religious faith and attitudes toward work and money. After surveying 2,000 working Americans, Wuthnow found that most had no clear signposts to guide them in matters of money. Wuthnow blamed spiritual leaders for not providing spiritual guidance. He concluded that when it comes to money, Christians live their lives “pretty much the same as those who have no faith at all.”

Solomon didn’t take a survey, but as he observed wealthy people, he noticed that some held tight to their money, sharing it with no one. Others squandered their money on risky business schemes. Both left shallow legacies. Here’s what Solomon said:

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14
There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 

There are four themes that run through Scripture regarding wealth. These four themes tie together to give us a theology of money. Here’s what God’s Word teaches us about money:

1. God owns all things (Ps. 24:1-2; 50:10-12).
   The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. He is the Creator and sole owner of all things. If he needed anything, he wouldn’t ask us to help him out. He has full access and is the final authority.

2. All things are a gift from him (Rom. 11:35-36; James 1:17).
   Since God owns all things, it naturally follows that anything we have is a gift from him. He graciously provides for us, and we depend on him to meet our needs.

3. All things are to be used for him (Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:16).
   Since God owns all things, it naturally follows that we should use the resources he gives us to honor him and serve others. We are simply managers of God’s money and possessions.

4. Using wealth is an act of worship (Prov. 3:9; Philippians 4:17-18).
   Since God owns all things, everything we have is a gift from him and should be used to honor him. This means that the way we use our wealth is an act of worship. We demonstrate his worth in our lives by how we handle the resources he has entrusted to us.

Let’s end where we started with that Wuthnow quote. He said that when it comes to money, Christians live their lives “pretty much the same as those who have no faith at all.” I hope that’s not the case with you and me. Wouldn’t it be sad if it was?

Father, Jesus said that money is like another god. Check our hearts. Show us if our personal philosophy of money squares up with your theology of money. And then, give us the wisdom and courage to make needed adjustments. In Jesus’ name. Amen.