A Few Money Mistakes to Avoid
Proverbs 22:1–3
Pastor Abraham Adesayo
"Money answers all things."
Dear Church Family,
Money is one of the greatest tools God places in our hands. Scripture teaches that money answers all things, yet it also warns that money can easily become an idol when it takes God's place in our hearts.
In this message, Pastor Abraham reminded the church that God is not against wealth. He is concerned with how we acquire it, manage it, and the position it occupies in our lives. Wisdom is not measured by how much money we have but by whether our finances honor God.
A believer must never allow money to become a substitute for trust, worship, or obedience.
Avoid Ungodly Stinginess
God blesses generous people because generosity reflects His nature. Pastor Abraham explained that there are different attitudes people have toward money.
Some become rich only for themselves while remaining stingy toward God — Jesus described such a person as a fool because earthly wealth cannot secure eternity. Others accumulate wealth for the future but neglect God and those around them. Solomon reminds us that such wealth often benefits someone else after we are gone.
Those who honor God first and willingly use their resources for His Kingdom understand that everything belongs to God.
Avoid Living Without a Financial Plan
The ant prepares before the season of need. God expects His children to exercise wisdom, discipline, and foresight. Planning is not a lack of faith — planning is an act of wisdom.
The ant stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest — a model of intentional preparation that God holds up for us to follow.
"An idiot with a plan can beat a genius without a plan."
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
Don't Measure Your Value by Your Wealth
Pastor Abraham warned against allowing financial success to define personal identity. Jesus clearly taught that life is not measured by possessions.
"Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."
"Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you."
Never Forget God Is the Source
One of the greatest dangers of prosperity is forgetting the One who made prosperity possible. Moses warned Israel not to believe that their own strength produced their wealth.
Pastor Abraham emphasized that pride replaces gratitude when we stop acknowledging God's hand upon our lives.
Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God — and say in your heart, "My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth."
"Pride is the direct opposite of gratitude. It claims ownership over what was actually given as a loan."
Don't Borrow What Belongs to God
God deserves the first and best of everything He has entrusted to us. Honoring God with our resources is an act of worship, not merely a financial transaction.
The widow's offering demonstrated that God values willing obedience more than the amount given. The early church modeled generosity and unity, ensuring that no one lacked.
"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
Don't Believe Financial Seed Is the Only Thing That Moves God
Giving is biblical, but giving alone does not replace obedience. God desires surrendered hearts before sacrificial offerings.
Our relationship with God cannot be reduced to financial transactions. True worship is demonstrated through obedience, holiness, faithfulness, and complete devotion.
The people declared their choice to serve God — not as a transaction, but as a wholehearted covenant. Total surrender, not a transaction, is what God seeks.
Don't Place Human Opinion Above God's Word
Many financial philosophies sound attractive but contradict God's principles. Believers must evaluate every financial decision through the lens of Scripture rather than culture, social media, or popular opinion.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him. Spiritual truths are spiritually discerned.
Don't Allow Money to Become Your Identity or Master
Jesus declared that no one can serve both God and money. Money is a useful servant but becomes a destructive master when it controls our priorities, decisions, and worship.
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
"Mammon desires to be a god. It doesn't just want your wallet; it wants your worship."
"If a man misses the right relation to money, he misses the right relation to God."
Examine Your Financial Life
Take time this week to prayerfully examine your relationship with money.
- Am I generous toward God and others?
- Do I have a financial plan for the future?
- Is my identity rooted in Christ or in my possessions?
- Do I consistently acknowledge God as my provider?
- Am I faithfully honoring God with what He has entrusted to me?
- Are my financial decisions guided by Scripture?
- Is money serving me, or am I serving money?
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce." — Proverbs 3:9
A Final Reflection
Money is neither good nor evil. It simply reveals what already rules the heart.
When God remains first, money becomes a powerful tool for advancing His Kingdom, blessing others, and fulfilling His purposes.
The greatest financial security is not found in wealth but in trusting the One who owns all things.
Trust the One Who Owns All Things
God is not asking you to trust in your income, investments, or possessions. He is calling you to trust Him.
As you place God first in every financial decision, He will give you wisdom, contentment, and the grace to become a faithful steward of every blessing He places in your hands.
- Am I generous toward God and others?
- Is my identity rooted in Christ or in my possessions?
- Do I consistently acknowledge God as my provider?
- Is money serving me, or am I serving money?
Place God first in your finances — and watch Him prove Himself faithful in every area of your life.
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