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  • Originally published November 12, 2009 at midnight, updated November 13, 2009 at 4:35 p.m.

Did you know that nearly three out of four people identify financial problems as their greatest source of stress?

Yet with all the discouragement and sensitivity surrounding finances, it can be difficult to help people. We certainly can't ignore our financial life, but we can learn to view it from God's perspective.

The truth is money matters. And it matters not only to us, but also to God. In fact, the subject of money and possessions is discussed 2,350 times in the Bible - more than the topics of prayer, faith and love combined.

God's plan for us is to live in financial freedom by recognizing the attitudes that create peace and plenty in our lives. Being grateful for what we do have, rather than focusing on what we don't have, is the key to bringing that freedom into our lives.

In Luke 16:13, Jesus is abundantly clear when he says, "You cannot serve both God and Money."

Our money should be a tool we use to facilitate life - not the focus of our life. We should serve Him first and view our resources as a vehicle to bless our lives and others.

Recognizing the source of our blessing and living with an attitude of thankfulness will result in financial peace.

I'll never forget my early days in the ministry. Tamara and I did not make much money at the time, so we had to make some adjustments in the way we lived.

We traded in professional athletics games for the cable television and rented movies rather than watching them in the theater. We also ate out less and in more. It resulted in a few more burnt offerings than we would have liked, but that's beside the point. The fact is, we both had to make a decision not to despise the little we had, but to cooperate with God.

Instead of only focusing on our own wants and needs, we recognized God had needs; He had people and projects He wanted us to bless.

Living within this covenant principle caused our money to become something that joined us together rather than something that divided us.

We knew we didn't have to be another statistic of a failed marriage due to financial stress.

That wasn't God's plan for us, and it isn't His plan for anyone. He doesn't want our money to bring relational difficulty, but to bless and serve those He has placed in our lives.

He wants us to look to Him as our Source, He longs to provide for us as any loving father would want to do for their family.

So, I encourage you today to live with a thankful attitude and always remember that the real purpose of money is people. It has been well said, "Money makes a terrible master but a wonderful servant."

As you allow God to be the master of your financial life, you will find He provides both peace and plenty in life.

Jim Graff is the Senior Pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria, Texas. www.faithfamilyvictoria.com.


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