Money Management & The Bible
Where do material blessings come from and what does The Bible say about money? Deuteronomy 8:18. “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
Can money get in the way of more important things? Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Wealth can become the centre of our life and take God’s place.
“This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”
Wealth can give us wrong attitudes about material things, Luke 12:15 NIV
“Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
You cannot serve both God and Money.
I Timothy 6:9. “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
Though not impossible, it’s difficult for the rich to enter heaven – God’s kingdom. Mark 10:23-25, NIV.
“Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. Then Jesus said, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God!”
The love of money leads to evil. I Timothy 6:10, NIV.
“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.”
Greed often accompanies prosperity and can lead to crime. James 4:1-2,
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you? You want what you don’t have, so you kill to get it. You long for what others have, and can’t afford it, so you start a fight to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it.”
The Bible and Tithing
The more you give, the greater your heavenly (notice it didn’t say earthly!) reward. Luke 12:33-34, NIV
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor: Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
God asks us to return tithe [10%] and offerings to Him and in return He promises unlimited blessings.
Malachi 3:8-10, NIV. “Will a man rob God?” Yet you rob Me. “But you ask, “How do we rob You?” In tithes and offerings.” Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Christ endorsed tithing.
Matthew 23:23, NIV.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices, mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
How may all, rich and poor, honor God?
Proverbs 3:9, NIV.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
What About Investment in The Bible
What investment strategy does God recommend? I Timothy 6:17-19, NIV.
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Christ’s teachings don’t advise investments that are safe or investments of limited liability. His teachings always encourage stepping out in faith but always coupled with wisdom. In fact there is no safe investment.
Contentment is not related to amount of money or possessions. Philippians 4:12-13, TLB.
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”
A valuable reminder for property owners.
Leviticus 25:23, TLB.
“And remember, the land is Mine, so you may not sell it permanently. You are merely My tenants and sharecroppers!”
If we put God first, He will take care of all our needs. Matthew 6:33, NIV.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
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