Could Financial Lies be Keeping You from Discovering True Riches?
Lies. They come in all shapes and sizes–from “little white lies” that save us from awkward conversations to whopping deceptions that hang around for years or even decades. Although honesty is not usually the easiest option, we know it is always the best option. In Leviticus 19:11, God tells Moses to remind the gathering of people, “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
But what happens if the one you’re deceiving is yourself?
We’ve probably all lied to ourselves about something: I’ll eat better tomorrow. Next week, I won’t miss a day of devotional time. I’ll just watch one more video. We make these proclamations to ourselves and then don’t follow through, only to end up right back where we started.
We are also dishonest with ourselves about money. We may not even realize we’re doing it; these lies have become so ingrained in our culture that we’ve accepted them as universal truths. In Russ Crosson’s book, The Truth About Money Lies, the Blue Trust chief mission officer and senior partner exposes these financial lies and shares the truth behind approaching money from a biblical perspective.
Money Lies and Truths
The Lie: “The harder I work, the more money I will make.”
The Truth: How hard you work does not always directly correlate to how much you make. Your income is a function of your vocation, and each vocation has a different earning level. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But you are to remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth…” Work hard at what God has called you to do and learn to live within the income that job produces.
The Lie: “The money I have and the things I buy are a measure of my self-worth.”
The Truth: Your self-worth is not tied to your financial net worth or possessions. Whether you have a lot or a little financially, you are worth an incredible amount because of who you are in Christ. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” [Ephesians 2:10]
The Lie: “Budgets are too restrictive.”
The Truth: There is freedom within boundaries. Having a budget gives every dollar you earn a purpose, from paying for housing and food to supporting people and organizations in your community. Without a budget, you’ll likely wonder where your money went and possibly incur unnecessary debt.
The Lie: “As long as we can make the monthly payments, debt is OK.”
The Truth: While debt alone isn’t sinful, it can create anxiety and stress in our lives. It weighs on us mentally and can seem like a never-ending burden. Debt also robs us of the opportunity to use that money to further God’s kingdom. In the Bible, King David warns us against borrowing and not repaying. In Psalm 37:21, he writes, “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.”
The Lie: “I cannot afford to give.”
The Truth: If we want to break the power of money in our lives, we cannot afford not to give. Luke 16:13 tells us that no one can serve two masters. They will hate one and love the other or will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. One or the other is on the throne of your life. Giving is the key to getting money off the throne and putting God on it.
The Lie: “Taxes are my biggest problem.”
The Truth: The reality is taxes aren’t the problem. Feeling like there is not enough income to live, give, and pay off debt is not a tax issue. Rather, it is a result of lifestyle choices or debt burden. If you have a large tax bill, it means you earned a lot of income. Taxes are simply a function of your income, so earn as much as you can, pay your taxes, give, pay your debt, and live off the rest. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus says, “Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
The Lie: “Investments can be a great way to get rich quick.”
The Truth: The role of investing is to preserve financial wealth, not create it. Make investment decisions by focusing on long-term goals, not short-term schemes. As Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
The Lie: Retirement is the ultimate goal of working.
The Truth: The concept of retiring to a life of ease, comfort, and relaxation resulted from the creation of Social Security in the 1930s. The only mention of retirement in the Bible is Numbers 8:23-26, and it states that retirees should continue to ‘assist’ the next generation. In other words, stay engaged and influential and train up those who come behind you. You may no longer do the work, but you can use your decades of experience and wisdom to invest in others.
This is a brief overview of some of the truths behind the financial lies of our world. If you want to learn more, order a copy of Russ’s book here: The Truth About Money Lies: Help for Making Wise Financial Decisions.
At Blue Trust, we purposefully walk with our clients as they pursue true riches by prioritizing faith, family, and wise stewardship and build a Godly legacy that endures for generations. If you would like to speak with a Blue Trust advisor, reach out to us at blog@bluetrust.com or call 800.841.0362.
Related:
- Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of True Riches
- Stewarding Finances Wisely in the Digital Age
- “Wisdom for Wealth. For Life.” Episode 31: Escaping the Cycle of Materialism