Music About Money

There seems to be a negative attitude from some people about churches addressing the subject of money and possessions (the love of money and the stuff it buys).  So many people think all the church wants is their money.  I hear them make statements like “that church is all about money” or “all they talk about is money”.  That might be true at some churches.  But the fact of the matter is Jesus himself talked about money or possessions more than any other subject because he knows that money and stuff is the biggest competitor for our hearts.

My question about this is if we don’t think the church should talk about money and possessions then why are we ok with popular music that is about money and possessions?  Think about that.  If we don’t want to hear the church talk about money or possessions (materialism) then why do we care:
  • that Travie McCoy wants to be a billionaire.
  • that Nickelback wants all the stuff listed in the song “Rockstar“.
  • that Beyonce’s put all her boyfriends stuff in a box to the left, to the left. (why’s it gotta be about his stuff)
  • that Carrie Underwood tore up her cheating boyfriends truck. (what if he didn’t care about the truck)
  • that Puff Daddy/Notorious BIG/Mase said the mo money they come across the mo problems they see.

Those are just a few that came to mind.  That list could go on and on forever though because if you really think about the lyrics of a lot of the music we listen to they are singing about money or possessions and much of it is from a materialistic and irresponsible point of view.  If everyone is ok with that then why does the church get so much flack for teaching wise financial principles about how to be unselfish and disciplined – the wisdom that really helps people achieve prosperity rather than just singing about it.

What are some songs you can think of that have lyrics related to money?

 

Comments

  1. While I agree that it is the church’s responsibility to preach finances, I don’t see the correlation between that and secular music. They are not one in the same.

    I think the argument people have with churches is not that the church is teaching financial principles, it is when churches say you must give part of your money to the church. As an adult, I have never given my tithe $$ to a church until I started attending the church I do know and it is really for one reason – my pastor told us that if we were nervous about giving our $$ to our church, then give it somewhere else charitable. Just give it somewhere. They don’t need it and God will provide.

    I’m running on a tangent but for me it coincides with the fallacy “Christians” have created in having cliques rather than doing what Jesus preached, which was going out into communities and witnessing and doing good deeds. But now, we expect the community to come to us, only on Sunday mornings, however, and please be sure to put your $$ in when the plate comes around.

    • Thanks for the comment Adam. I’m not making a correlation, simply a comparison of how some people really don’t want the church to talk about money (I’ve talked to them), but the same people are happy to listen to music about money. Simple comparison to reveal their heart about the matter. I stated that being all about the money given to the church is true at some churches. I do believe we are supposed to give where we are fed spiritually but I agree it is better to give somewhere else than not at all. I have heard more than one pastor be bold enough as yours to say if you can’t trust the church give it somewhere else. That is a good pastor that is more concerned with the heart of the people than the money for the church. Any church that can’t be trusted though would likely fit in the category of clique Christians who don’t do as Jesus would do. I’m proud my church is not one of those and I’m fully confident the money I give them every month is being used for good works.

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