Movies, and most other media, paint the picture that money is the solution to all your problems. “If you have more money, everything will be better.”

That is not true.

In fact, money, if handled and perceived incorrectly, can destroy people. Here are five ways money can destroy in the hands of the wrong person:

1. Money can give a false sense of security. Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:17 because they were cold toward Him, thinking they were OK because they had wealth.
2. Money can cause people to worry about a need for more. Jesus said that our lives do not consist in the abundance of our possessions (Luke 12:15).
3. Some people in their greed for more money will compromise to gain. What they compromise to gain, they will have to compromise to keep, but they will eventually lose it all (Prov. 13:11).
4. When people have money, they often worry about losing it. The money they thought would give peace of mind now enslaves them to fear.
5. Love of money can choke God’s Word from being fruitful in our lives (Matt. 13:22).

Money isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it can prove to be a powerful tool for good in the hands of the right person. Make sure you aren’t destroyed by the five misconceptions of money.

Four Priority Checkups You Can Do
Take this little test to see if you are balanced in your views of money:

1. When you’re undercharged $20 at the store, do you return the extra money?
2. You see someone drop their wallet. You open it to find $500 cash. Do you quickly flag the person down to return it?
3. When you receive any money, do you always set 10 percent aside for God? Are you excited to bring it to church and give Him your tithes?
4. You see a friend in a financial crisis and you feel a prompt in your heart to give him or her your last $25. Do you do it?

Total your “yes” and “no” answers and rate how you handle money:

• Four “yes” answers: you’re doing great.
• Three “yes” answers: you are on your way to financial greatness—keep improving.
• Two “yes” answers: your character with money is weak; your financial future isn’t looking too bright.
• One “yes” answer: keep your day job; you’re taking a tough financial road.
• Zero “yes” answers: you’re a scrooge and on a highway to poverty.

Blaine Bartel

Visit Website

Blaine is a modern-day Lazarus.

Jesus resurrected him out of 23 years of sexual addiction and the death of everything he held dear. Today he coaches men out of sexual brokenness and into the Jesus life.

Blaine and his wife Lori reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They love going on long walks from the kitchen to the living room and have a weakness for reality shows. Along with his speaking and coaching, Blaine is a writer and has recently shared his resurrection story in his latest book, "Death by a Thousand Lies."

For the inquiring mind, a complete history is below.