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Managing Our Money God's Way

April 6, 2002

A faithful man will be richly blessed (Proverbs 28:20).

Breakfast volunteers: Willa Bosch and Jessica van der Ahé

Video presentation: Managing Money God's Way (Patrick Morley)

Introduction

All the benefits of money are temporal (Luke 12:15); all the risks of money are eternal (Matthew 16:26).

Importance of Money

Scripture has a lot to say about how we should handle our resources. In his book The Man in the Mirror, Patrick Morley says that 1 out of every 10 verses in the Bible deals with money. Nothing can give you a more clear picture about the character of a man than how and why he spends his time and money (Luke 16:10-12).

Danger of Money

Money is deceitfully dangerous (Matthew 13:22). As the saying goes, "Money makes a wonderful servant but a ruthless master." When we strive for money it becomes our master and such striving for riches leads only to misery (I Timothy 6: 9-10). Another danger of riches is that they can distract us so that we can't hear God's call (Matthew 6:24, 19:24). Is money evil? No. A gun is a morally neutral item. So is morphine. So is money. The problems come when we make money our idol or when we use money for destructive ends.

Obtaining Money

Because the topic of money is so large, there are a number of areas that we will not be touching on at this time. One of these areas is that of obtaining money. We will not concentrate on the following:

  • God requires us to work (II Thes 3:12)
  • It is God who blesses our work (Hag 1:9; Deut 8:18)
  • Scripture commends men who earn their money little by little (Pr 13:11)
  • God warns us about the futility of striving for riches (Pr 23:4-5)

    The Theology of Money

    We will first look at the various belief systems that Christians can have regarding money. All of the following theologies have a substantial basis in Scripture, but only one of these is completely faithful to wat Scripture says.

    Poverty Theology

    • Sell, give to the poor (Lk 18:18-22)
    • Seek Kingdom first (6:25-34)
    • Rejects materialism and believes that possessions are a curse.
    • Both the rich and poor can be tempted to curse or deny God (Pr 30:8-9)
    • But, Riches in house of wise (Pr 21:20)

    Prosperity Theology (Gospel)

    • Ask, seek, knock (Mt 7:7-8)
    • A faithful man will be richly blessed (Pr 28:20)
    • Transaction Tithe (Mal 3:10)
    • God will reward the faithfull and never allow anything bad to happen to them.
    • Can't understand that God calls some to be poor. (Pr 22:2; Phil 4:11-13)
    • But, Don't wear yourself out to get rich (Pr 23:4-5)

    Stewardship Theology

    • Parable of talents (Mt 25:14-30)
    • Trustworthy stewardship (1 Cor 4:2, Mt 25:26-27, Lk 16:10-11)
    • Keep painful promises (Ps 15:4)
    • Rewards of faithful stewardship (Ps 112:5,9)
    • Wealth without trouble (Pr 10:22)
    • Ask for daily needs (Mt 6:9-15)
    • Proper understanding of Tithe (Mal 3:8-12)
    • Tithe is first fruits (Pr 3:9-10)
    • The Bible says that we should be stewards. Money is given in trust.
    • Be faithful stewards of our gifts (1 Cor 4:2; Luke 16:10-12)

    God's basic purpose for money

    God's purpose for money is not so that we will become wrapped up in obtaining or managing it. God gave money as a means to an end. For this reason we need to first determine what God's purpose for money is. (Mt 6:25-34)

    To provide basic needs

    • Phil 4:19, God promises to meet the needs of his children who put him first.
    • In North America virtually everyone has enough.
    • Being content with the basics (1 Tim 6:6-8; Heb 13:5)
    • Asking for Daily Needs (Mt 6:11)

    To confirm direction

    Debt is a form of presumption. We are assuming that we will be able to pay back tomorrow what we can't pay back today, (Pr 27:1; Lam 3:37)

    • Wait patiently for the Lord (Ps 37:7)
    • To teach patience (James 1:3-4)
    • To protect us from harmful items (1 Tim 6:9)

    God may refuse to give us something if we ask for it foolishly, if we don't receive it we should take the opportunity to reevaluate our request. (Jam 4:3) If we continue to insist on asking for what is not good for us then God may give it as punishment so that we will learn to be more careful what we ask for (Ps 106:15).

    A wise builder will count the cost before he proceeds (Luke 14:28)

    God assures us that he will provide what we need to perform his work. God hates debt and considers it a form of slavery.(Pr 22:7) For this reason we can be reasonably sure that God will not require us to go into debt to do his will.(2 Cor 9:8-9 +) A number of solid examples can be found in Scripture for this. If we look at all of the major building projects that God directed his people to engage in, the Ark, the Tabernacle and the Temple, none of them were financed. In each case God provided ahead of time what was needed to perform the task. God even ensured that the Israelites left Egypt with a great store of wealth. King David saved up ahead of time the materials and money needed to start the construction of the Temple (I Chr 29:1-9). Moses, at God's direction, asked the Israelites to donate the articles needed to build the Temple. He received so much that he had tell the people to stop giving (Ex 35:4-9, 36:6-7).

    To give to others

    • Giving to needy (Mt 6:1-4)
    • God rewards those who give to the poor (Pr 19:17)
    • Give and you will be given (Luke 6:38)
    • Treasures in heaven with heart (Mt 6:20-21)
    • Giving (back) to God (tithing)
    • Tithing is required by God (Deut 14:22-23)
    • Give as God has given to you (2 Cor 9:6-8)
    • We have recieved everything (1 Cor 4:7)
    • The tithe does not excuse injustice (Luke 11:42)
    • Honour God with your firstfruits (gross not net) (Pr 3:9-10)
    • Weekly tithing (1 Cor 16:1-2)
    • Give to Christians (Rom 12:13)
    • To unite Christians (2 Cor 8:14-15)
    • To illustrate his power
    • Wealth could lead to destructive pride (Deut 8:11,17-18)
    • God will answer prayers (Phil 4:6)

    Living with Money

    Patrick Morley discusses four different lifestyles. Take a look at these and see which is the most fitting for a Christian.

    Living above our means

    • Living on credit (borrowed time)
    • Better not to pretend (Pr 12:9, Pr 13:7)
    • Is it right for you to leave your wife and children in debt or poverty when you die?

    Living at our means

    • Not wise enough to save. About 13 days away from bankruptcy.
    • Consumes all he has (Pr 21:20)

    Living within our means

    • Prepare for the future. Save for a rainy day.
    • Provide for family (I Tim 5:8)
    • Save a percentage of income. Tithe, try to ensure his family's future.

    Living below our means

    • Has placed a cap on his lifestyle.
    • Has a gift of giving and his wife usually helps him in this.
    • God commands the rich to share (1 Tim 6:17-19)
    • "You can't take it with you but you can send it on ahead."
    • Store up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21)
    • Let your abundance supply the need of others (2 Cor 8:14-15)
    • Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6-8)
    • Who ever loves money will never have enough (Ecc 5:10-11)
    • Cheerful giving (II Cor 9:7)

    Questions:

    1. If time is money, then how much of our time should we trade in for money? How much of our time should be dedicated towards earning money as opposed to the other tasks that God sets before us (family, church, etc.)?