What About Money?

We all deal everyday with money. Some have much, some have a little and some have just enough. Are we living wisely with money and living within our means or within a wise margin, so that we are not as driven or are we right on the edge? Much conflict and stress occur in the home because of money and how we handle debt. Do we also, leave enough margin to generously give to God?

Many Christians do well financially. They learn to be good stewards of their resources and often work hard and invest wisely. This is often because they have solid moral and ethical Biblical standards and usually don’t have expensive addictions or spend their money foolishly or unwisely. As well because they are good stewards of their resources and also honor God with those resources, God gives them more resources as a steward. (Matthew 25:23) Some Christians struggle with finances perhaps because of learned dysfunction from their family, the world or just the disordering of the heart. At the same time Jesus was a great steward of the Father’s resources but he didn’t have his own place to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20) He was about His Father’s business and had a very special calling. Some choose to live a simple life to make much room in their life for God and in serving God.

People by their own hard work and wise investments can amass great wealth, especially if this is their focus from their youth. However, Satan can also bless people with much money, so that they are distracted from coming to Christ in Salvation or growing in Christ after salvation. As Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven. He said, ““Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). That is because riches have a great hold on people. They trust money more than they trust God. The devil tempted Jesus with money and power as recorded in God’s word in the wilderness temptation. It states: “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, all these will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9) In our world money is the way to have power and glory. The Psalmist in Psalm 73 struggles with the fact that the wicked prosper in this life at times. He says, “But as for me, my steps had nearly slipped, for I was envious of the arrogant when I say the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:2—please read all of Psalm 73)

Jesus talked a lot about money because it can so easily become an idol. Jesus said,” “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20)

What you do with your money says a lot about you to God, yourself and others. Do you give generously to the Lord in the local church and other Christian ministries to advance His kingdom or are you overly concerned and invested in your own kingdom? One way to get money and our life in perspective is to give generously to the Lord. We are to give as we are able. It is also wise to perhaps not buy a more luxurious house and stretch your budge to the max, but enjoy a lesser house and have more margin in your life to enjoy your family. This allows you to make more time for the Lord and to grow in grace and knowledge and service to Him. This is just an example and can be applied many ways. Of course there are also risks in investments. We need to make calculated investments and take wise risks.

Will you and I have a treasure in heaven or will it all come to nothing on earth. The story is told about a man that was given 10 apples and the beneficiary told him that he could eat nine apples and one he was to give to God, by taking it to local church. The man ate all nine apples and than decided that the Lord had a lot of apples, so he ate the apple and gave the core to the Lord. Some might say, well at least he gave the core. However, what good is the core? It is meant for the garbage can.

Some people have a lot of wealth and could donate to building churches which are scarce these days. They could also give generously to the local church so the church could step generously into ministry in the community and the ministry of the gospel. People thus become people of salt and light in their community.

The Apostle Paul makes this statement about one church contributing to the needs of another church saying: “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2) The Bible also instructs us to give generously and with a right attitude. In contrast we don’t want to be like the Pharisees in Jesus time, who tithed even the spices in the spice rack, but did not show mercy to their neighbour. (Matthew 23:23) The greatest mercy we can share with our neighbour now, is to share the gospel with them, as well as our care for them.

We have a stewardship before God, other people and our money. God has made us a steward of the material blessings he has given us and our gifts and talents. When we give to the Lord, we are declaring His Lordship in our life and it is part of being on mission with Him as stated in the great commission. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Where is our heart? Is it attached to money more than God? What about other things that get in the way of us making room, much room in our life for God. We will miss out on the greater part if this is the case.

Don’t worry what other people are giving or let it be a matter of pride or control. Give as you are able and have resolved in your heart. The scripture instructs us to give generously (2 Corinthians 8:1-7) Jesus said to Matha when she was busy preparing the meal and Mary was just sitting at the feet of Jesus learning, “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Not that we should not pitch in and help, but Mary was so excited to be with Jesus and learn of Him that everything else took second place, even the scorn of her sister. Perhaps the Holy Spirit had revealed to Mary that Jesus would not be with them for very long. After all Jesus had informed them of His upcoming death.

How much time do you have with and for Jesus? How much margin have you built in your life and finances so that you can spend time with Jesus and make it a quality time of being in His presence and learning of Him and in service to Him. It will make a huge difference now and in eternity. The Apostle Paul counted it all as manure compared to being in Christ and serving Him. He says, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) This is the testimony of one of God’s servants who suffered much hardship, but was very close to Jesus. His life was full in spite of the hardship in spite of the hardship he experienced while serving God. His enjoyment of God and His life of gratitude and worship, made the difference. His love for Jesus outweighed, by far any hardship.

Is money more important than Jesus? What are we primarily investing in? Is it in this life or the life to come and the Kingdom of God. Let us set aside all idols and use our life and resources to honor God. He gave everything for us. “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8) The scripture tells us that we will also reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7-9) What do we want to reap?