Financial Heart Check

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that “…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” You might look like you’re doing fine on the outside, but how’s your heart these days? Perhaps it’s time for a heart check and some reassurance from God’s Word.

When you were a child, I’m sure your parents had to help you with an “attitude adjustment” from time to time. Now, as an adult, you’re not under the discipline of your mom and dad, but you may still need the occasional attitude check— especially in the area of finances. Here’s what I mean:

The Bible makes it clear that there are wrong attitudes and right attitudes when it comes to money and possessions. Your financial attitudes and actions are an outward indication of what’s going on in your heart, your spiritual health. Jesus explains the problem to his disciples in Mark 7:21-23: “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come— sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” That’s quite a comprehensive list of evil and what it tells us is that wrong attitudes about money also come from the heart. That includes things like greed— a selfish desire for more than you need, and envy, which is resentment about someone else having what you want. Other serious heart issues spring from the sin of pride, where you consider yourself better than others because of what you have. Dishonesty, fear, and even bitterness are other money attitudes the Bible warns against. Satan tempts us into these attitudes to draw us away from God. If you’re a Christian, choosing to give in to these sins makes you ineffective for God’s kingdom. You’re in good company, however, if you do struggle with attitudes of envy or pride. Even the Apostle Paul faced temptations like these. He writes in Romans 7:21-24: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am!”

Then Paul solves the dilemma we all face*: “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”*

Wrong attitudes about money lead us astray. Right attitudes about money have the opposite effect. These include: commitment to serving Christ, faithful stewardship, gratitude and a desire for wisdom. We could add a long list of other biblical virtues, including love, generosity, humility, and kindness, among others. Financial teacher Larry Burkett used to say these are “spiritual values reflected through your finances,” because having the right heart attitude about money honors God. Living with these virtues makes your financial life work better because you’re putting God first and trusting him to provide, instead of leaning on your own understanding. Righteousness isn’t a guarantee that things will be easy or even that you’ll experience material prosperity in this life. What you will have is peace and the opportunity to follow and serve Jesus. In John 10:9, Jesus promises, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” Psalm 37 also promises a hopeful future for those who choose righteousness in Christ over sin. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” Finally, Romans 8:10 emphasizes the key to living with godly attitudes: “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” So, is it time for a financial attitude check? Remember— how much money you have doesn’t really matter. It’s your attitude about money and possessions that’s important. Attitudes of pride, selfishness, greed, envy, and dishonesty are sin, leading to bad consequences including fear, despair, frustration, and defeat.

On the other hand, when you follow Christ, confessing your sins and pursuing Godly heart attitudes, you will experience a closer walk with the Lord, and the blessings of peace and hope.

If you’re not sure how to change your attitudes, ask God for help and reflect on this reassuring passage in Philippians 4: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” You can also listen to the related podcast on this topic.