Lover of Money Basic 6 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• Explain right attitude to money
• State the right way to make money and wealth
• List the dangers of excessive love of money

Lesson Content:

Understanding Money from a Christian Perspective:

What is Money? Money is a tool or medium of exchange that helps people trade goods and services. From a Christian perspective, money is not evil in itself, but it’s a resource that God gives us to manage wisely for His glory and the benefit of others.

Right Attitude to Money:

1. Money is a Gift from God

Biblical Foundation:

• Deuteronomy 8:18: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth”
• James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights”

What This Means:

• All ability to earn money comes from God
• Health, intelligence, and opportunities are God’s gifts
• We should thank God for our financial blessings
• God expects us to use money according to His will

2. Money is a Tool, Not a Goal

Proper Perspective:

• Money should serve us, we should not serve money
• Use money to accomplish good purposes
• Don’t make accumulating money your life’s purpose
• Remember that money cannot buy the most important things in life

What Money Cannot Buy:

• Love and genuine relationships
• Peace of mind and happiness
• Health and eternal life
• Salvation and forgiveness of sins
• Wisdom and good character

3. Money Should be Managed with Wisdom

Stewardship Principle:

• God has entrusted money to our care
• We will account to God for how we use money
• Wise money management honors God
• Poor financial decisions can harm ourselves and others

Elements of Wise Money Management:

• Earning money honestly
• Spending money carefully
• Saving money for future needs
• Giving money to help others
• Avoiding debt and wasteful spending

4. Money Should be Shared with Others

Biblical Teaching on Generosity:

• Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
• 2 Corinthians 9:7: “God loveth a cheerful giver”
• Luke 6:38: “Give, and it shall be given unto you”

Ways to Share Money:

• Give tithes and offerings to church
• Help poor and needy people
• Support missions and Christian work
• Assist family members in need
• Contribute to community projects

5. Contentment with What We Have

Biblical Teaching:

• 1 Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain”
• Philippians 4:11: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”
• Hebrews 13:5: “Be content with such things as ye have”

Practicing Contentment:

• Thank God for what you already have
• Don’t constantly compare yourself with others
• Find joy in non-material blessings
• Trust God to provide what you truly need
• Avoid the trap of thinking “more money will make me happy”

Right Ways to Make Money and Wealth:

1. Honest Work and Labor

Biblical Principle:

• 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If any would not work, neither should he eat”
• Ephesians 4:28: “Let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”

Examples of Honest Work:

• Farming and agriculture
• Teaching and education
• Medical and health services
• Business and trade (conducted honestly)
• Skilled crafts and trades
• Professional services (law, accounting, etc.)

Characteristics of Honest Work:

• Provides genuine value to others
• Done with integrity and excellence
• Fair payment for services rendered
• Contributes positively to society
• Allows worker to maintain good conscience

2. Fair Business Practices

Biblical Standards:

• Proverbs 11:1: “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight”
• Leviticus 19:35-36: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights… shall ye have”

Examples of Fair Business:

• Honest advertising and marketing
• Quality products and services
• Fair prices for goods sold
• Honest weights and measures
• Keeping promises and contracts
• Treating employees and customers fairly

3. Using God-Given Talents and Abilities

Biblical Teaching:

• Matthew 25:14-30: Parable of the talents
• 1 Peter 4:10: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God”

Examples:

• Musicians using their talent to earn money through performances
• Artists selling their artwork
• Athletes using their skills professionally
• Teachers using their knowledge to educate others
• Writers using their communication skills

Principles:

• Develop the talents God has given you
• Use talents to serve others while earning income
• Don’t hide or waste your abilities
• Give God credit for your talents and success

4. Wise Investment and Saving

Biblical Wisdom:

• Proverbs 21:20: “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up”
• Proverbs 27:23-24: “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever”

Principles of Wise Investment:

• Save regularly for future needs
• Invest in legitimate, productive enterprises
• Diversify investments to reduce risk
• Seek wise counsel before making major financial decisions
• Avoid get-rich-quick schemes

5. Education and Skill Development

Biblical Support:

• Proverbs 18:15: “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge”
• Proverbs 22:29: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings”

Ways to Increase Earning Potential:

• Get good education and training
• Develop marketable skills
• Continue learning throughout life
• Seek mentorship from successful people
• Stay current with changes in your field

Dangers of Excessive Love of Money:

1. Spiritual Dangers

Replaces God as Priority:

• 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith”
• Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon”

Consequences:

• Prayer and Bible study become less important
• Church attendance and giving decrease
• Spiritual growth stops or reverses
• Relationship with God becomes cold and distant

Leads to False Security:

• Trust shifts from God to money
• Belief that money can solve all problems
• False confidence in wealth rather than God
• Fear and anxiety when money is threatened

2. Personal and Character Dangers

Greed and Selfishness:

• Never satisfied with current wealth
• Unwillingness to share with others
• Exploitation of others for personal gain
• Loss of compassion for those in need

Pride and Arrogance:

• Looking down on those with less money
• Believing wealth makes you better than others
• Taking credit for success without acknowledging God
• Refusing help or advice from others

Dishonesty and Corruption:

• Temptation to lie, cheat, or steal for money
• Compromising values for financial gain
• Taking shortcuts that harm others
• Abandoning principles for profit

3. Relationship Dangers

Family Problems:

• Neglecting family for work and money-making
• Children raised by money instead of love
• Marriage conflicts over financial priorities
• Family relationships sacrificed for wealth

Friendship Issues:

• Friendships based on money rather than genuine affection
• Inability to trust others’ motives
• Loss of old friends who can’t keep up financially
• Loneliness despite material wealth

Social Isolation:

• Creating barriers between yourself and others
• Fear that people only want your money
• Inability to relate to those with less wealth
• Loss of genuine human connections

4. Physical and Mental Health Dangers

Stress and Anxiety:

• Constant worry about losing money
• Pressure to maintain lifestyle and appearance
• Fear of economic downturns or losses
• Sleeplessness and physical symptoms of stress

Workaholic Tendencies:

• Sacrificing health for wealth accumulation
• No time for rest, recreation, or relationships
• Physical exhaustion and burnout
• Mental health problems from overwork

5. Eternal Consequences

Missing Heaven:

• Mark 10:25: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”
• Luke 16:19-31: Story of rich man and Lazarus

Wasted Life:

• 1 Timothy 6:7: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out”
• Pursuing temporary wealth instead of eternal rewards
• Failing to use money for God’s kingdom purposes
• Regretting financial priorities at end of life

Examples from the Bible:

Negative Examples:

The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22):

• Had great wealth but wasn’t satisfied
• Asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life
• Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor
• He went away sad because he loved his wealth more than God
• Lesson: Love of money can prevent salvation

Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16):

• One of Jesus’ disciples but loved money
• Betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
• His greed led to the worst betrayal in history
• Ended in suicide and eternal condemnation
• Lesson: Love of money can lead to terrible sins

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11):

• Sold property but lied about the price
• Kept back part of the money for themselves
• Lied to the Holy Spirit about their giving
• Both died as punishment for their deception
• Lesson: Dishonesty about money has serious consequences

Positive Examples:

Abraham (Genesis 13:1-13):

• Very wealthy but trusted in God, not riches
• Generous with his nephew Lot
• Gave tithes to Melchizedek
• Used wealth to bless others and serve God
• Lesson: Wealth can be a blessing when used rightly

Job (Job 1:1-3, 42:10-17):

• Very wealthy but feared God and avoided evil
• Lost everything but remained faithful