Money has power out of all proportion to its purchasing power. Because the children of this world understand this, they can use money for non-economic purposes. And use it they do!

Money is used as a weapon to bully people and to keep them in line. Money is used to “buy” prestige and honor. Money is used to enlist the allegiance of others. Money is used to corrupt people…

Rather than run from money, we are to take it–evil bent and all–and use it for kingdom purposes. We are to be absolutely clear about the venomous nature of money. But rather than reject it we are to conquer it and use it…to advance the kingdom of God.

from The Challenge of the Disciplined Life