錢財的正解與誤區 -心之所向 The True Meaning and Pitfalls of Money - Where the Heart is Directed

文 / Cathy Chen

因為你的財寶在哪裡，你的心也在哪裡 （馬太福音 6：21）

一、 一場關於「公義」的感恩節對話

昨天是感恩節，一個充滿感恩與團聚的日子。我和家人搭乘 Uber 從費城前往紐澤西參加家庭聚餐。

在路上，我們很幸運地與司機 S 女士暢聊起來。我們驚訝地發現，開車只是她的副業；她的「正職」其實是一位攻讀網路安全（Cyber Security）博士班的學生，正在為論文主題而苦惱。她分享了選擇這個領域的動機：幾年前，她的家人遭遇了網路投資詐騙，損失的金錢不論如何努力都追討無門。

但 S 女士沒有選擇默默承受。她決定運用大學所學的電腦科學專業技能，深入這個詐騙系統進行反調查。她以新投資人的身份開戶、潛入虛假平台，耗費大量時間拆解他們的操作手法，穿越一層又一層的虛擬暗網機制，最終鎖定了幕後黑手。她給對方留下了一段話：「你貪圖竊取別人辛苦賺來的錢，不覺得羞愧嗎？你不害怕上帝的審判嗎？」

S 女士表明自己是基督徒，對不公不義之事無法袖手旁觀。她的故事不僅讓我們充滿敬佩，也深深提醒了我一個真理：金錢，是我們內心價值觀最誠實的鏡子。

二、 為什麼我們必須談錢？（聖經的重視）

許多人習慣將金錢視為「世俗的煩惱」，認為在嚴肅的討論中談錢很不高尚。但《聖經》的教導恰恰相反：

金錢與財務是《聖經》中最常談到的主題之一。 經文數量超過 2,300 處，甚至比談論信心或禱告的經文總和還要多。在耶穌的教導中，更有超過四成的話題涉及金錢與財務管理的價值觀。這說明，我們如何看待和使用金錢，直接決定了我們人生的品質和方向，其核心原則：你只是管理者，不是擁有者。《聖經》提供了一個顛覆性的財富觀：

1. 真正的源頭：我們所有的金錢、資產、時間、能力，都是宇宙的創造者所賜予和擁有的（雅各書1：17）

2. 你的身份： 基督徒不是財富的「擁有者」，而是「忠心的管家」（Stewards）。我們的責任是智慧地管理這些「暫放在我們手裡的」資源（路加福音 16:1–13），並用它們去祝福他人，讓神得著榮耀。

耶穌常藉由各階層人物的寓言，正是在幫助我們矯正對金錢普遍存在的偏差。

三、 金錢是內心忠誠的試金石

金錢，是我們內心忠誠對象的試金石。在著名的登山寶訓中，耶穌將金錢問題提升到心靈層次：

1. 永恆的風險控管

耶穌先用「損益」與「風險控管」的概念，指出地上財富（會生鏽、被蟲蛀、會被賊偷的地上財寶）具有無常性，來教導我們更應該投資在具備永恆性的天上財寶（馬太福音 6:19–20）。

2. 心靈的單一對焦

耶穌接著談到眼睛是身體的燈，指出我們內心單一對焦的目標與專注（馬太福音 6:22–23）。因為，「你的財寶在哪裡，你的心也就在哪裡。」（馬太福音 6:21）

3. 主權的終極抉擇

耶穌最後揭示了兩種主權的絕對對立：「一個人不能事奉兩個主... 你們不能事奉上帝，又事奉財富（瑪門）。」（馬太福音 6:24）「瑪門」(Mammon) 不只是金錢，它象徵了把財富高舉為人生主宰的力量。如果我們的心不定睛在良善與公義上，心靈的焦點就會被世俗的價值觀吸走，極容易將「瑪門」奉為暗中指揮人生的主宰。

四、 兩種人生的對比：S女士的故事

在同一個事件裡，有兩位具備相同電腦技術的人，卻走向了截然不同的命運。

• 貪婪的選擇： 一位因內心對焦於金錢的貪婪，經過一系列操作後成了網路詐騙集團的首腦，使許多人喪失了多年殷勤積蓄的存款。

• 忠誠的選擇： 相反地，S 女士因內心信仰的公平正義，經過一連串的行動後成為破解詐騙的專家，使更多人倖免於難，並對這類犯罪起了防範之心。

這證明了：金錢問題的根本不是「能力」或「技術」的問題，而是我們將心獻給誰的問題。在金錢上榮耀神的方式千變萬化，我們根本不需要是財經專家，只要將心對準在蒙神喜悅的方向，就能在所處的位置，用金錢、資源、創意、能力、時間，自由地榮耀神。

五、 避開金錢的兩大陷阱

這兩種選擇的背後，隱藏著人們常犯的兩個核心陷阱：

1. 宗教的陷阱：口稱信主，心裡拜財神

有些人雖然參與宗教活動，但他們真正信靠的不是真理，而是隱藏的偶像。對他們而言，信仰是裝飾門面；而人脈和資源，皆成了牟利的工具。所有情緒和決策，都緊緊跟著「金錢的流向」走。耶穌警告這類偽信徒：「凡稱呼我『主啊，主啊』的人，不能都進入神的國」（馬太福音 7:21）。

猶大的悲劇就是沉痛的例證。他雖在屬靈的核心圈，卻因貪圖區區三十塊銀子而失去了生命的焦點（約翰福音 12:6）。內心的貪婪，比外在的環境更具破壞性，最終會走向人生的毀滅。

2. 價值觀的陷阱：以為「兩套系統」更保險

這是一種更隱晦的心態：「我願意聽耶穌的教導，但另一套世俗價值也要留著。萬一信仰不能滿足我的慾望，我就關掉真理的聲音，開啟自己的備用機制。」

這種「雙主制」看似聰明，實則全然自欺，因為它直接違背了耶穌的宣告：「一個人不能事奉兩個主。」（馬太福音 6:24）屬世與屬神的價值觀是無法同時運作的。企圖在兩者間遊走，只會帶來巨大的內心分裂、焦慮與混亂。

《聖經》對此發出警告：「貪財是萬惡之根。有人貪戀錢財，就被引誘離了真道，用許多愁苦把自己刺透了。」（提摩太前書 6:9–10）

因此，金錢問題的根本，不是「方案」或「技術」層面的問題，而是我們對誰忠誠的問題。

六、 結語禱告：心與財寶的交託

我們和 S 姐妹在車上一路聊到紐澤西，抵達目的地時仍留在車上一起禱告。下車前 S 姐妹說：「或許是神在提醒我，就用自己的經歷作為論文的起點！」感恩節的這趟 Uber 之緣，讓我深深地感恩。

親愛的主耶穌，感謝祢再次藉著 S 姐妹的故事和祢的話語光照我的心。我承認生命中一切的好處都來自祢，我的金錢與資源都是祢所賜下的託付。我承認自己有時會因不滿足而懼怕未來，讓焦慮而非信心主導我的心。

願祢掌管我的財寶，更掌管我的心。求祢幫助我單單定睛在祢的良善與恩典上，數算恩典而知足（腓立比書 4:11）。求祢教導我做個智慧的好管家，用祢喜悅的方式去獲取、使用、儲蓄、分享金錢，並將投資放在永恆的價值上（馬太福音 6:20）。

主啊，我也為那位詐騙犯禱告。求祢憐憫他，讓他有機會聽到真理的教導，將心轉向祢，從黑暗的綑綁中得著赦免與釋放。

奉主耶穌基督的名求，阿們。

-寫於11/28/2025，費城

The True Meaning and Pitfalls of Money: Where the Heart Is Directed

Cathy Chen, 11/28/2025

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

I. An Epiphany on Thanksgiving: A Conversation on Justice

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, a day filled with gratitude and reunion. My family and I took an Uber from Philadelphia to New Jersey for a family gathering.

During the trip, we had a wonderful conversation with the driver, Ms. S. We were surprised to learn that driving was only her side job; her "main occupation" is as a Ph.D. student specializing in Cyber Security, currently struggling to decide on a thesis topic. She shared her motivation for choosing this field: a painful experience a few years ago when her family fell victim to an online investment scam, with the lost money proving impossible to recover despite all efforts.

However, Ms. S did not choose to silently endure it. She decided to utilize the professional Computer Science skills she learned in college to conduct a counter-investigation into their scam system. She opened an account as a new investor, infiltrated the false platform, spent a significant amount of time dissecting their operations, traversed layer after layer of the virtual dark web mechanisms, and ultimately identified the masterminds. She left a message for them: "Are you not ashamed to greedily steal money earned through others' hard work? Do you not fear the judgment of God?"

Ms. S identified herself as a Christian, stating she simply cannot stand idly by in the face of injustice. Her story not only filled us with admiration but also profoundly reminded me of a truth: Money is always the most honest mirror of our inner values.

II. Why Does the Bible Talk So Much About Money?

Many people are accustomed to viewing money as a "secular annoyance," believing it is improper or "unspiritual" to discuss finance in serious contexts. However, the teaching of the Bible is precisely the opposite:

Money and finance are among the most frequently discussed topics in the Bible. The number of related verses exceeds 2,300, even surpassing the combined count of verses dedicated to faith or prayer. Furthermore, over 40 percentof Jesus's teachings involve values related to money and financial management. This demonstrates that how we view and use money directly determines the quality and direction of our lives.

The Core Principle: You Are a Manager, Not an Owner

The Bible offers a revolutionary view of wealth:

• The True Source: We must establish a foundational truth: all our money, assets, time, and abilities are given and owned by the Creator of the Universe (James 1:17).

• Your Identity: Christians are not the "owners" of wealth but "faithful stewards" (Managers). Our responsibility is to wisely manage these resources—which belong to God but are temporarily in our hands (Luke 16:1–13)—using them to bless others and bring glory to God.

Jesus frequently used parables featuring people from all walks of life precisely to help us correct the widespread errors in our understanding and attitude toward money.

III. Money as the Litmus Test for Inner Loyalty

Money serves as the litmus test for the object of our heart’s loyalty. In the famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the issue of money to a matter of the spirit:

1. Eternal Risk Management: Jesus first used the concept of "loss and profit" and "risk management" to point out the transience of earthly treasures (treasures subject to rust, moth, and thieves). He taught us that we should invest in heavenly treasures which possess permanence (Matthew 6:19–20).

2. Singular Focus of the Heart: Jesus then spoke of the eye being the lamp of the body, indicating the necessity of a singular focus and concentration of our inner goals (Matthew 6:22–23). For, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

3. The Ultimate Choice of Lordship: Jesus concludes by revealing the absolute opposition between two masters: "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and wealth (Mammon)" (Matthew 6:24).

"Mammon" is more than just money; it symbolizes the power that elevates wealth to the status of a life master. If our hearts are not focused on goodness and righteousness, our spiritual focus will constantly be captured by worldly values, making it extremely easy to allow "Mammon" to become the hidden controller of our lives.

IV. Application: The Tale of Two Choices (Ms. S’s Story)

The story of Ms. S provides a powerful contemporary contrast:

In the same incident, two individuals with the same Computer Science skills went down drastically different paths.

• The Choice of Greed: One person, whose heart was focused on financial greed, became the mastermind of a cyber-scam group, causing many people to lose their hard-earned savings.

• The Choice of Loyalty: Conversely, Ms. S, whose heart was aligned with the faith's call for justice and fairness, became an anti-scam expert through her actions, saving many others and raising awareness about such crimes.

This proves that the core issue of money is not about "ability" or "technology," but to whom we dedicate our hearts and resources. The ways to glorify God with money are diverse; we don't need to be financial experts. We just need to align our hearts with God's pleasing direction, using our money, resources, creativity, ability, and time in our current position to freely glorify God.

V. Avoiding the Two Major Pitfalls

Behind these two contrasting choices lie the two core pitfalls that people often encounter:

1. The Religious Pitfall: Professing Faith, Worshipping Money

Some individuals participate in religious activities, but their true reliance is not on the truth but on a hidden idol, like "the god of wealth." For them: faith is a mere facade; and networking and resources become tools for financial gain. All emotions and decisions are tightly controlled by the "flow of money."

Jesus warned against such hypocrisy: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of God"(Matthew 7:21).

Judas's tragedy is a painful example. Though he was in the inner circle of spirituality, his greed for a mere thirty pieces of silver caused him to lose his life's focus (John 12:6). Inner greed is more destructive than external circumstances,ultimately leading to ruin.

2. The Value Pitfall: Believing the "Dual-System" is Safer

This is a more subtle mindset: "I'll listen to Jesus's teachings, but I'll keep the secular values ready. If faith doesn't satisfy my desires, I'll turn off the truth and activate my backup mechanism."

This "dual-master system" seems clever but is entirely self-deceiving, as it directly violates Jesus's declaration: "No one can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). The worldly and divine value systems cannot operate simultaneously. Trying to navigate between the two only results in immense inner division, anxiety, and confusion—akin to modern psychological descriptions of "cognitive dissonance."

The Bible warns: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9–10).

Therefore, the issue of money is fundamentally a question of loyalty, not a question of "plans" or "techniques."

VI. Conclusion and Prayer: A Handing Over of Heart and Treasure

Ms. S and our family talked all the way to New Jersey, and we remained in the car to pray upon arrival. Before getting out, Ms. S said, "Perhaps God is reminding me to use my own experience as the starting point for my thesis!" I am deeply thankful for this Uber encounter on Thanksgiving Day.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for illuminating my heart once again through Ms. S’s story and Your Word. I confess that all good things in my life come from You, and my money and resources are a trust You have placed in my hands.

I admit that sometimes I am fearful of the future due to dissatisfaction, allowing anxiety instead of faith to control my heart.

May You take charge of my treasure, and even more, take charge of my heart. Please help me to focus solely on Your goodness and grace, to count my blessings and be content (Philippians 4:11). Teach me to be a wise steward, using ways that please You to acquire, use, save, and share money, and to invest in eternal value (Matthew 6:20).

Lord, I also pray for that scammer. Have mercy on him; may he have an opportunity to hear the truth, turn his heart to You, and find forgiveness and release from the darkness that binds him.

I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

- written on 11/28/2025, Philadelphia