Sermon: It’s never about the money

Money is an idea—it is imaginary.

Maybe you disagree, but I think that I can prove that money is imaginary quite simply. Almost everyone has had to cash or deposit a check at some point. If you present that check to a bank teller, do they go back to the bank vault and move cash from the drawer with Mr. Smith’s name on it to the drawer with Mr. Garcia’s name on it? Of course not! Computer software updates the balances in both accounts. In 21st century America there is no practical difference between paper money, paper checks, credit cards, or payment apps. All of them represent a purely imaginary idea of money.

I hope that I have convinced you that money is imaginary, but I do not want you to think that it can be ignored. Money is a representation, or store, of value and it must be managed. You cannot walk into a store saying, “Money is imaginary so I’ll just take what I need”! No, you will have to pay for what you take from the store. You will also need to pay your rent, your mortgage, or your property taxes if you want to have a place to live. Money is a tool, and I hope you use it wisely.

When I say use your money wisely I am not talking about sticking to a budget, although that is a good idea. From my experience most people, including myself, use money as a tool in their pursuit of either status or security. Think about it. To some people the balance in their bank account makes them feel secure. They want to have a lot of money so that they will be able to survive if they lose their job, or if they get sick, or if some other disaster strikes. We could fill a book with all the situations which a fat bank account would make easier to handle, right? Maybe for you money is a tool that helps you feel secure.

For other people, though, money is a tool that helps them gain status. They want to have a lot of money so that they can buy a Cadillac instead of a Pontiac or a Mercedes instead of a Volkswagen. They want Prada instead of Sketchers. Mac computers instead of Windows computers. A Starbucks drink instead of a drink from a local roaster (support local business!). I think you get the idea. These are status symbols, and you can probably think of dozens more. Maybe for you money is a tool that helps you gain status. You use it change how people see you.

Status or security, it’s not about the money. It is never about the money. Money is just a tool. And here is where we run into a problem: Money cannot buy status or security. These are things that only come from God. If you are relying on money for security, you are worshipping an idol. If you are relying on money for status—if you hope that the amount of money you have will change how people think of you—you are worshipping an idol.

Jesus said it this way: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, of he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:19-21, 24 ESV

Bob McAlpine

District Pastor, San Luis Valley Seventh-day Adventist Churches