Lecrae - Got Paper Lyrics
Lyrics
Hook:
You got money; You got paper
So what? Who cares?
You got money; You got paper
I got Jesus, baby!
these brothas passin me and they all rollin fly coups they throw some D's on but they still aint got the truth/ they blow they cheese on it then they die and what's the use/ Im so secure in jesus all i want in life is fruit. I I don't need no fast money/ NOPE/ dont need a fast car/ yeah the faith is a race but it aint a nascar/ and you and God got beef cause you keep chasin money like them hundreds got feet/ buddy wanna be rich but even 50 done said that he still feel broke even tho he got bread/ make em throw away they life got em runnin from feds/ love of money's like crack both of em will leave you dead/ when you die and face God aint nothing left to be said/ instead of Chasing the truth you take a lie to the head/ and homie all I can do tell you what Jesus said/ Repent and turn from your sin cause the kingdom of God's at hand.
people they want chesse american mozzarella/ the enemies rat trap might snap any second/ 'm like that dude in matthew who after finding a treasure/ gave all he had to get it thats a real go getta/ the 13 letters/the torah the gospel and all the prophets/ But you'll never see a soul who profit chasing the profit/ Now look at 1 Timothy 6 it's so clear/ you chase the money and wind up in a snare/ now a vow of poverty no it's not there/ but you pursue God the rest he takes care/ you don't step on his back in order to get rich/ if you do then you're in sin and ordered to REPENT/ you come come to Christ for God/ You come to Daddy for worship/ He aint take that Cross to fund your vanity purchase/ even though we all agree that death is certain/ it seems we believe there's banks beyond earth (THAT'S CRAZY)
Money dough cash paper/ if it was a woman I promise I used to date her/ now that we broke up she be callin ya boy a hater/ Cause all I do is use her for Glorifying my maker/ my treasures in heaven Christ is my satisfaction/ if I was broke I'd be richer than folkv never had em/ God is the Gospel not a new bentley/ was empty and he gave me life and that's plenty/ get me...homie I could spend six centuries/ simply saying I'm satisfied in the sensie / an it's sickening, that knowing God aint enough we gotta tell em they can get rich quickly/ now this is heresy/ false it's not true/ 2nd corinthians chapter 8 and verse 2 / read that and please believe that forget a c-note man they pockets was e-flat. They still had joy
Video
Lecrae - Got Paper
Meaning & Inspiration
Lecrae's "Got Paper," released on September 30, 2008, as part of his groundbreaking album *Rebel*, dives headfirst into one of humanity's most persistent struggles: the pursuit of wealth versus the pursuit of God. From its initial hook, the song throws down a gauntlet, directly challenging the world's obsession with material gain by asking, "You got money; You got paper / So what? Who cares? / You got money; You got paper / I got Jesus, baby!" This stark contrast immediately sets the stage for a profound spiritual declaration, framing the entire track as an urgent call to re-evaluate our ultimate priorities and allegiances.
The fundamental meaning behind "Got Paper" is a radical reorientation of values. Lecrae articulates a perspective rooted deeply in Scripture, asserting that worldly riches are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying, while true security, joy, and purpose are found solely in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He confronts the pervasive cultural narrative that equates success with financial prosperity, revealing it as a deceptive trap. This message serves as a vital counter-narrative, particularly relevant in a society that often glorifies excess and defines worth by net worth. The song doesn't shy away from exposing the spiritual emptiness that can accompany material abundance, offering a timeless truth for those ensnared by the chase for "cheese, American mozzarella."
In its initial verses, Lecrae vividly paints a picture of people "rollin fly coups" and "throw[ing] some D's on" their cars, yet lacking "the truth." This observation directly echoes the sentiment found in Mark 8:36, where Jesus asks, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" The artist dismisses the pursuit of "fast money" and "fast cars," declaring his sole desire in life is "fruit"—a clear allusion to the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23, which speaks of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He critically examines the insidious nature of greed, noting how some "chase money like them hundreds got feet," suggesting that money becomes an idol, leading to conflict with God. The poignant example of someone like 50 Cent still feeling "broke even tho he got bread" powerfully illustrates the inadequacy of wealth to bring genuine contentment, a sentiment supported by Proverbs 15:27, which warns that "whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household." Lecrae’s potent analogy, "love of money's like crack both of em will leave you dead," directly connects to 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "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 with many griefs." He concludes this section with a direct command from Jesus to "Repent and turn from your sin cause the kingdom of God's at hand," underscoring the urgency of spiritual transformation over material acquisition, as taught in Mark 1:15.
The song further develops its argument by drawing a compelling parallel between the worldly pursuit of "profit" and the eternal wisdom of God's "prophets." Lecrae positions himself as the man in Matthew 13:44-46, who, upon finding a "treasure" (representing Jesus and the Kingdom of God), "gave all he had to get it." This illustrates a radical, wholehearted devotion that prioritizes spiritual treasure above all else. He directly references 1 Timothy 6:9, cautioning that those who "chase the money... wind up in a snare," entrapped by desire. Crucially, he clarifies that this isn't a call to a "vow of poverty," but rather an assurance that when one "pursue[s] God the rest he takes care" – a profound echo of Matthew 6:33: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Lecrae firmly refutes the notion that God's purpose is to fund "vanity purchase," asserting that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was for salvation, not material gain. He critically challenges the mindset of those who live as if "there's banks beyond earth," implicitly urging a shift from earthly treasures to heavenly ones, as instructed in Matthew 6:19-21.
In its concluding verses, "Got Paper" reflects on Lecrae's own journey, personifying money as a former lover he's broken up with, now used only for "Glorifying my maker." This transformation speaks to a heart fully committed to Christ, where worldly resources become tools for God's purposes rather than objects of worship. His declaration, "my treasures in heaven Christ is my satisfaction," directly aligns with the biblical teaching that our hearts will always follow our treasures (Matthew 6:21). He makes a powerful distinction: "God is the Gospel not a new bentley," centering the message on the Person of God Himself, not the blessings He might bestow. The profound contentment found in Christ is palpable as he exclaims, "was empty and he gave me life and that's plenty," and later, "I could spend six centuries / simply saying I'm satisfied in the sensie." This overflowing joy, independent of circumstances, powerfully reflects Psalm 16:11: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy." He then explicitly confronts the "heresy" of the prosperity gospel, which suggests that "knowing God aint enough we gotta tell em they can get rich quickly." To counter this, he points to 2 Corinthians 8:2, highlighting the Macedonian believers whose "deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity" and "they still had joy." This final biblical reference powerfully underpins the entire message: true spiritual richness, profound joy, and boundless generosity are not contingent upon financial status but flow from a deep, abiding relationship with God.
Ultimately, "Got Paper" stands as an enduring anthem of spiritual liberation, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting all to embrace a radical, Christ-centered worldview. It is a powerful reminder that our ultimate satisfaction and true wealth are not found in what we accumulate, but in who we know. Lecrae's passionate delivery and astute scriptural insight create a compelling argument for placing God above all possessions, offering an inspiring blueprint for a life marked by authentic joy and eternal purpose. The song doesn't just critique; it offers a profound and hope-filled alternative, urging people to invest their lives in what truly lasts.