Scriptures on Prosperity In The Christian Life

 It is unfortunate but often we find some of the teaching we are presented with to be anti- teaching. Rather than a clear and complete unfolding of God’s word on a subject, we are often given a part of the teaching as a defense against someone else’s unbalanced or erring teaching on a subject.

One of the greatest losses to this imbalanced teaching for many Christians is in the areas of health and finances. God’s word has much to say about both the blessing and dangers in relation to our experience in these areas.

There has been such a popularity and crowd pleasing appeal in presenting a one sided view of these issues that it has even come to be labeled as Health and Prosperity Teaching. It is a virtual movement in some congregations. This has prompted a reaction to preach against the false teaching by other ministers, eager to keep their flock from this error and in many cases has also been equally one sided or unbalanced.  This reactionary type of teaching has the danger imparting a feeling of aversion to the other side of the truth in the hearers. Let’s look at the issues involved here.

1. Scriptures like Prov 11:16, Prov 14:24, Prov 19:14, Prov 22:4, Eccles 5:19, 1Tim 6:17, Mark 6:13, Mark 16:15-21, 3 John 1:2  tell us riches are a blessing of the Lord as is healing and health.

2. Other scriptures point out that sickness and poverty can come from sin. Prov 10:4, Prov 21:17, Micah 6:13, Mark 2:5, James 5:14-15.

To see only this part of the teaching as all of the truth would be unbalanced and results in error as to the true teaching of Scripture. It is only part of the truth.

3. The other side is quick to point to Job to show that loss of riches and health are not a result of sin and can be the experience of an upright believer. As with Prov 28:6, Prov 13:7, Phil 2:26-27, 2 Tim 4:20,

4. Also they point out that a rich person and one concerned about the temporal body and life can be unspiritual. Prov 28:20 & 22, Luke 12:16, Luke 18:23, 1Tim 6:9-10, Mt 6:19-20, Mt 6:31-34, Phil 4:10-12

 

The problem occurs when one is teaching against a popular heresy by only presenting verses in apparent opposition to the other side. They are not presenting the whole counsel of God on the issue. They do not compare scripture with scripture; rather they compile a list of proof texts to manipulate the unstudied person to their persuasion. Without a clear interpretation and application of all the verses, one ends up leaving error and imbalance in the mind of the hearers? Teaching should not only be against the popular errors of the day, but at some point also give a proper balanced Biblical perspective on the whole subject, so that sincere believers are not deprived of full understanding in an area like the enjoyment and dangers of the temporal blessings of God and a proper use of the world and things in it. 1 Cor 7:31… and those who use this world as not misusing it.

 

Teachers must trust the Spirit to impart grace in the hearers to give them spiritual desires to control the things of the world and not become as the Pharisees who went beyond scripture and taught: taste not, see not, and handle not; to prevent sin. There are certain things Christians must clearly abstain from, but others we should seek to have self-control over until the Spirit sanctifies us to have new godly desires. Certain individuals may have to abstain from certain things at least for a time if they would ever gain any self control; such as alcohol, credit cards, etc. Also at times when visiting a different culture, temporary abstinence from some allowed freedom may be necessary so as not to offend a weaker brother. Balanced teaching rather than extremism and reactionary teaching is vital. Satan always seems to have an error on each side, so we must find the narrow path down the middle of these. So to teach that Christians should not be wealthy or you will sin if you have wealth or not be saved is just as false as teaching that God wants all Christians to be wealthy and healthy all the time. The scripture teaches neither of these. It is also false to teach only one side of other issues like: human responsibility or predestination, freedom of conscience or moralizing and fundamentalism, the law of liberty or antinomianism (disregard of God’s law), grace and forgiveness or believers can’t continue in sin 1Jn2:3-6. The ultimate goal of teaching should be that each person is brought to maturity and aware of all scripture, be able to discern and by the Spirit and a good conscience make good decisions and walk with God.

Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; NASB

 

The Bible can be misrepresented and misunderstood or presented in an imbalanced way. Knowing that there is no contradiction in Scripture, we must compare Scripture with Scripture and understand the main point of the writer to the thinking of the people he was writing to had at that time, or the specific problem or abuse of the time being corrected. Also to properly understand the meaning of scripture one must study the whole context of that passage and compare with the context in all of scripture.

A good question for this subject is how much money is rich? For this subject we must define what is meant by the words riches, wealth and “rich man” in each passage. Sometimes the word ‘riches’ means a development to a high standard of living. Rich often refers to those who are the super wealthy and can control other people and even influence the government not just someone with a larger than average income, but those who use their riches for power and manipulation, to abuse or take advantage of others, that is the idea of the “rich man”. The rich man is one whose god is money and his wealth is his 1st love as the rich young ruler who preferred his wealth to following Christ when called.

Also note this passage points out that it is not the money but whether the person is righteous or sinful that causes the problem with wealth. Prov 15:6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.  NKJV

 

From my own observation of the seriousness of the subject, based on the scriptures, I determined it was worth some in depth study time to make sure I was not misled. And as my business prospered more and more and some minimal measure of wealth was brought to me, all the more I continued careful study of the scriptures, because now I was one who had to understand this subject. One of my main reasons for seeking to use my God given abilities in ways that had the potential to produce a larger income was to give me and my wife time freedom to do more Bible study, mission work and give a large percent of the income to charities advancing the kingdom. I did not seek to be rich for the sake of riches or having things, security or power and control. Yet anyone can be self deceived, so I keep examining myself and seeking counsel and accountability from others and strongly considering what scripture says on this subject since it is or can become a danger as these scriptures point out.

 

1 Cor 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

Matt 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

James 1:11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. NKJV

Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.  25 Woe to you who are full,

For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.  NKJV

Prov 23:4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies;  7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Matt 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This verse should also remind us of the spiritual treasures we can build up too.

 

At first glance those verses may be enough to cause some to not want to be highly productive or prosperous. Certainly riches can be a strong temptation and there is so much in scripture warning us about it that we must take this very seriously. Scripture makes it clear that we can not determine a person’s heart merely because of temporal abundance or lack of it. I saw that scriptures do differentiate between the Rich man who is evil and pursued the riches from a wrong desire, uses them wrongly, and also that there were those who are wealthy and godly in the scriptures as well. So our duty is to determine all of God’s teaching about wealth and come to a clear understanding on the subject rather than go to one side from neglect of duty or fear of wealth or to the other side to see wealth as a normal blessing all people should have and to be sought, as seems to be promised for the OT believers who lived in obedience to the Lord or for the nation. But even they who were promised them were warned about the dangers of riches.

There is a danger with money and we must respect that as we do with other dangers in this world: The Tongue, James 3:6; Alcohol, Eph 5:18; relaxation time, 1 Tim 5:13; marriage, 1Cor 7:28-29; sleep, Prov 24:33; Food Prov 23:2; and many other areas we are warned about. Just as we have to watch for the dangers and make sure lusts do not overtake us in these areas we do the same with wealth but even perhaps more carefully.

 

Lets look at some more passages with warnings about prosperity and riches.

Prov 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 21 To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.  22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. NKJV

 

1 Tim 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. NKJV

Note the passages say, those who seek to be rich or rush to be rich quickly. This is different than one who seeks to have wealth to use for God’s kingdom, distribute to others and to serve others and diligently works. There are those who do not rush to be rich, or seek to be rich to have the riches themselves. As I studied and prayed and read books authored by Godly men and ministers throughout Christian History, some of whom were wealthy themselves, I began to see the distinction in scripture between those who sought riches or sought to be rich hastily and those who legitimately gained wealth through Biblical principles and used it for God and in accord with Biblical commands.

 

We find scripture shows us clearly that there are some, though perhaps few, who have wealth and yet are true believers and even godly in behavior.

Matt 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

Luke 19:2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house,

Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,… And others like Cornelius and in the OT like Abraham & Joseph.

 

Some passages present riches as a reward for holy living and even present sloth and sin as the reason for not having riches, as if it was normal they should have them if they were diligent.

Prov 10:4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Prov 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.  NKJV

Prov 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.  NKJV

Prov 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Prov 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. NKJV

Prov 24:4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.  NKJV

Luke 16:11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Ps 112:1 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.  NKJV

 

Mark 10:29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time–houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions–and in the age to come, eternal life NKJV

God even promises, not just in heaven but NOW, to reward some for making certain sacrifices for Him.

 

So God does use the means of reward as a motivator for our diligence; even the reward of finances or property? This is how man’s mind works and God works with us as we are. Just as avoiding hell or discipline should not be our only motives to obey God, yet God uses them as a legitimate part of influencing us. Wealth should not be, nor should any reward be, our only motive for obedience and service to others. New spiritual desires in us, Love to God, Thankful hearts, glorifying God and the joy He wants us to have and show to others should be our motives as well. God often uses punishment or rewards in this life, as well as for eternity, as a motivation for us. Passages like the next one show we should have an attitude that we expect an increase if we work in a righteous way.

Prov 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Now we don’t always get wealth or much; but it does not mean this is not the norm to expect it. It is normal for all people who work to get a return for it, so we can buy our necessities and have an abundance to share with others. It seems the Bible presents it as the norm that if we work we will have an abundance to share with others. 1 Thess 4:10 But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. NAS

 

Then Prov 13:22 tells us a good person should have enough wealth to leave an inheritance, not only for his own children, but so there is some left over for his grandchildren. This would take a considerable sum of cash or a business or land holdings so that it is enough to last through your children to your grandchildren.

 

Wealth, Land and Prosperity in Israel

* It is important to remember when considering OT passages on wealth and prosperity that there is a difference between them and believers in the new covenant today. Part of God’s plan to display the symbolism of the nation of Israel pointing to the spiritual reality or heavenly Jerusalem was to show them as a people separate from the world and blessed by the temporal promises and blessings of land and wealth. These were never meant as an end in themselves, for the people to be wealthy on earth. They primarily were to point them to our holy lifestyle and heavenly calling, the great riches of spiritual life with God. Evidence of this is the Jews seldom realized these temporal promises due to their sin. So the main purpose of God’s promise to them of temporal blessing and land was to point them and us to see they were missing these things for lack of obedience to God, and teaching us to live holy and in obedience if we want to live in the New Jerusalem.

 

Even the inheritance of the Promised Land, as well as their part of it, that was to be passed on to their children’s children is a symbol of the real promise of an eternal home to the people of God and their children. There are other lessons as well, like the fact God didn’t purge all of the heathen out of some cities due to their lack of obedience, which may point to remaining sin in us and that we are to completely mortify our sin and not allow any to live in us, yet God gradually sanctifies us and does not remove all sin at once. There is an ongoing struggle with the world.

 

Therefore, we can not just assume that the promises of prosperity to the Israelites are always directly applicable to us who live under the clearer and better administration of the covenant of grace. But though we should see these as the primary meanings regarding the land in the OT there may still be promises of temporal blessing and wisdom here we can apply in principle today regarding prosperity. For example Paul still sees the motivation of the temporal promise of long life attached to the 5th commandment as applying to us. Eph 6:2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

But God could have meant this to be speaking of the New Earth we will live in for eternity as well. And it may be both.  But practically coming from a place of responsibility, would it be better to leave your children with your debts or to leave them an inheritance?  What would be the responsible thing to plan for?

 

Let’s look at another often misused passage. Buried in the middle of a genealogy, God adds this footnote about the life of one of the people.

1 Chron 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

 

Why was this information given to us about this man while nothing was said about others in the genealogy? One reason may be because he was an especially honorable man. But what God tells us about Him is that He asked God for blessing and more land, and also to be with him and keep Him from evil. Now isn’t that an interesting prayer considering what we have discussed? He asked for more land, which equates to more prosperity, but also to be kept from sin at the same time. Now, it must be noted this request was in obedience to God’s command for Israel to take over the Promised Land and expand their borders. God had promised to give the land to the people of Israel so Jabez prayed according to God’s revealed will, to glorify God by increasing the land which was a symbol of the true spiritual inheritance to come. And he did it in conjunction with the request for God to be with him and keep him from evil. And this is a prayer God answered and He uses it for a strong example to us, though there is not an exact one to one correlation to our asking for land as an Israelite could.

One reason God wanted us to see this may be because so few of us actually obey God and ask Him to give us abundance for His glory and to fulfill His work on earth; especially with the same request to be kept from committing evil. He obeyed God’s command to: ask for what we want. Are you?

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. NKJV

But by our desires here is not meant our fleshly worldly carnal desires, but the new desires of the new man, the sanctified heart that seeks to have God glorified by what they produce and to accomplish the will of God to expand the kingdom on earth and in heaven as the next verses show.  The next verse shows why we don’t.

James 4:2 Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. NKJV

 

More Wisdom From a Wealthy Yet Holy Man.

Job 31:19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering; 20 If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 24 “If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; 32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler);

To obey God and be generous takes the ability to have some measure of abundance out of which to do it. And yes we are still to give sacrificially if we do not have an abundance. But think of the parable of the Good Samaritan. He takes this injured man to an inn, since he was traveling and not by his own home. He doesn’t expect the innkeeper to be generous. He takes it upon himself to help this person since in God’s providence he came across the man. He goes to the drug store and buys bandages and salves. Patches the guy up, then pays the Holiday Inn bill for 2 weeks and for his food and says here’s my credit card if you need to spend anything else on him I will pay for it. Now this example to us of how we are to live is a costly one. It should cause us to think perhaps that we need to have more financial reserves so we can show God’s love to those around us. The Good Samaritan had enough cash in his pocket to pay for 2 weeks food and lodging for the injured man and said he would pay more if it was needed. You have to have a significant amount of money on hand to be able to just do this, even if it is sacrificial giving trusting the Lord to care for you later.

 

Instead many today are such poor stewards of money and so weak willed with the lusts for the things of this life, that it has almost become a sign of spiritual maturity to cut up your credit cards. But this Samaritan had good credit with the innkeeper. If you have self control you can learn to make money on your credit cards. You get up to a 45 day grace to pay what you buy, so your own money stays in the bank drawing interest, until the due date, then pay the card off in full. You also get frequent flyer miles or cash back discounts. This is better stewardship than using cash if you have the self-control and discipline to not charge more than you would pay cash for. Don’t charge what you don’t have the ability to pay. This way you do not waste excess money on interest fees. Having enough money to not have to use credit and pay interest is wise.  How can it be a better thing to not have enough money to pay for the necessities of the society you live in and have to borrow and pay interest?  When you pay for everything and do not get indebted you cannot end up a debtor or slave except by a major calamity from the Lord. There is nothing we can reasonably do in those situations so we trust Him to bring us through them and depend on others in the church to get us through.  And of course if your income cannot sustain the things other have then you don’t go into debt, you do without  and be content with what God provides you, and yet seek to improve your financial situation for God’s glory that you have some to give others in need.

 

Good Reasons To Increase Wealth

Here are some good reasons to make as more money as possible with your time and talents.

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

James 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? NKJV

 

And there can be a temptation from having too little so we are told: 1 Thess 4:10-12 But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you; 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. NAS

Maybe we should have less things than most do today, but whatever is allowed, we are to make enough working so that we are not in need. We should not be dependant on others especially those outside the church to care for us.

The following passage indicates that we are even to seek to help others get wealth or general well-being more than our own.   1 Cor 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. KJV

Even helping others to make money is scriptural. That is why businesses that are a win win, where one can help others create income to create my own. Are there talents you could with training improve so that they could be worth more income? Could you be getting more money for your time?

 

Making the money to help others is a desirable thing. Some can’t make a lot of money or handle a business; they weren’t given the mind or talent by God and that is fine. But if you are able and you are wasting it, I challenge you to consider this. Is there a reasonable honest way you could be making more money to use to help advance God’s Kingdom?

 

And God does want us to have joy and gives us things to enjoy in this life. 1 Tim 6:17 but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. NKJV

 

Wealth can be a Gift and Responsibility

Truly our income is under God’s control; if we get wealth it is a gift from Him and we must learn to use it rightly even if only a small amount. The more that is given, the greater the responsibility on us.

Eccles 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

Deut 8:18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,

 

The Parable of the Talents

In Matt 25:14-30; the men who used the money to make more were rewarded, whereas the man who, even though he was only given little, carefully saved it for his master, was punished and even had what he was given taken away. The parable generally teach us about the kingdom of heaven and yet there may be some application to kingdom living here on earth as well. One principle taught in this parable may be applied to wise and good stewardship of our time, spiritual gifts, hospitality as well as our finances and all that we have to share with others.  The ones who risked what they were given to make more were rewarded while the one who feared losing it was punished.
We should be willing to put at risk and use to get an increase from what we have been given. Just saving for fear of loss, pain or discipline is wrong. The reason the man with less was punished so severely may be because he operated from fear of loss, fear of criticism and failure. His motive was wanting to make sure he did not lose, rather than operating from a motive to make sure he made as great a gain as he could for his master. He was the selfish one, not those who invested to get gain for their master.

Also he was only trusting in his own fallible flesh and feared he might lose it, rather than trusting in God as a loving father to bless his efforts for God’s glory. He was unwilling to take a risk and believe the positive would happen or be content with a providential loss if that is what God gave him. He did not trust God to work in spite of his human weaknesses or lack of experience.  Instead of trusting God to bless his faithful efforts to maximize and add fruit to his use of his talents he saw God as a hard master and not a loving Father who would not give a stone to a child asking bread.  He did not believe the scripture’s teaching that God is a loving Father and gives His children good gifts and usually intends to give an increase to His people when they continually seek increase for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom, good projects that serve others, and not just to waste it on their selfish lusts. He was lax on his responsibility of what was given to him. He did nothing as those who say “let go and let God” and it’s all up to God, He is in control so it doesn’t matter what I do; which is a hyper-predstinarian position of irresponsibility.
It was a lack of faith and thinking it is all by your works and not by grace that is the error that sends this wicked servant to everlasting destruction.

So check your attitude or mindset. Have you been one to be more concerned about not losing, rather than gaining for your master, so you have opportunity to give and serve more?  Is your trust in your ability or by faith in the grace of God to work through your efforts?

 

Have you been one who felt that wanting more would only be using God as a vending machine to get what you want? There is the error. That would be the love of money and a selfish attitude. Rather ask what does God want to do with you? What are you capable of that you have held back from because of worry about the results, fearing you may not do well or be good enough? We are taught here that our finances and talents are God’s gift to us and we are supposed to seek to be responsible and improve them. Does this help you see why you need to have a plan, a burden, a zeal, a desire for specific things you want to accomplish in order to be entrusted with wealth for your risks and effort as a steward to distribute them for God?

 

The one was punished and lost what he had because He denied that God was who He is. Do not doubt God by thinking that He cannot use you in a bigger way. Not that this would be better or more spiritual than someone with less; but just faithful with what you have been given. Luke 17:10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”  NKJV

He looked at and trusted only in his own imperfections and fleshly abilities rather than yielding to be used in larger ways, trusting God’s power to work through him. His attitude toward money was to prevent loss rather than to increase wealth. Be like those who risked their talents with the money changers and made as much as they could for their master!! Don’t continue to believe God does not want to bless His people’s efforts. Have you had this attitude which is selfish and was punished in the parable? It did not serve anyone. Is it any wonder so few are given wealth?

 

You have to decide what the needs are that you believe God wants you to help with first. A part of this principle is restated in Matt 13:12 For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has.

This is a very powerful lesson for us to learn. Is also a mirror to help us see how wicked it is to be as the man who only saved and did not seek to gain as much as he could so that he could serve others with it. Work and ask God what you can do for Him.  Trust God to provide the results which vary according to His pleasure not necessarily our ability or effort. But scripture does hold out rewards for those who do well and give to others.

Prov 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. NKJV

“Whatsoever we scatter to the poor, we gather for ourselves. Not getting, but giving, is the way to wealth. The poor man’s hand is Christ’s treasury, Christ’s bank. Oh let not Christ’s hand and Christ’s treasury be empty! and yet be careful that what you cast into Christ’s treasury be got in Christ’s wages.”            ~ Thomas Brooks -The Hypocrite Detected

 

I recommend reading an excellent book on this subject written by a puritan minister hundreds of years ago who was rich, as was his father who became a minister after he got rich. Riches Increased by Giving by Thomas Gouge.

 

Ancient Church Fathers agree giving is rewarded in this life as well as eternity

(1)  Clement of Alexandria – Not that he possesses wealth and keeps it by him, but he that distributes it, is rich;  neither is it the possessing, but the laying out of riches that make one rich.
(2) Isadoris – We lose all earthly things by keeping them, and by giving them away we keep them.
(3) St. Basil – It is the best way of thriving to give to them that are in want.
(4)  Augustine – The field of the poor is very fruitful, and quickly yields an increase to the charitable…give a little and thou shall receive a hundred fold.
(5) Dr. Jeremy Taylor – The portion of our estate, out of which a tenth, or a fifth, a twentieth, or some offering to God for religion, and the poor, goes forth, certainly returns with a great blessing upon all the rest.
(6) Mr. Hildersham – It is a duty that God hath made greater promises unto, than to any other almost a Christian can perform. (a)  It shall never hinder or beggar a man (b) It will return again with increase (c) It will bring God’s blessing
(7) Dr. Thomas Jacomb – God will return to the merciful man what he gives to the poor, he will reward him in kind, that look whatever it is that he bestows, it shall be in the very kind made up to him again; many have found this to be true…no man shall be less rich at the year’s end for what he lays out upon the poor and God’s cause; you shall have your money again, and interest with it.
We do not give just so that we get back, but to serve the Lord and obey Him and show our trust in Him. We must have good motives and attitude about giving. The delaying of Christian charity is expressly against the command of God. Here are some examples.

Deut 15:10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.

Prov. 3:27, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due.”
Our charity must be liberal, giving out in proportion to what the Lord hath given to us.
Luke 12:48, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required.”

1Cor 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper

 

2 Cor 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,… NKJV

 

The above passage shows us God gives us abundance and enriches some of us some of the time, for liberality, whether enriched in money, things or talents. The purpose is to give to others to demonstrate our trust in Him to provide for us tomorrow and to give others cause to praise Him for using others to care for them.

 

Luke 21:3 “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

 

She used what she needed for that day gave the rest trusting God would provide what she needed tomorrow

And again for balance lets look to the wisdom of a man who was very wealthy.

Eccl 9:10 I returned and saw under the sun that–The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

Now we know that the preacher knew it wasn’t really chance. God was in control of all. But the point is anyone could wind up with the greater amount, not just those who seem to deserve it by natural diligence or talent but as God chose to dispense it.

 

How we get the wealth has everything to do with whether riches are seen as good or bad. In fact it is not the riches that can be bad, only we can be good or bad by what we do with our money, time and talent.

Jer 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.  11 “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool.” NKJV

Prov 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. Prov 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Eccl 5:13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune;

Prov 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Prov 3:7 fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Prov 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.

Prov 24:4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

Ps 112:5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. NAS

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” NKJV

Eph 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. NKJV

Do you have enough to give to one in need? Shouldn’t you work diligently and get there?

 

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

We must guard against letting money deceive or ensnare us from a proper balance of all our duties.

Matt 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Pay close attention to the warnings in scripture. Note that some people loved money and erred from the faith, but not all who had wealth. It was not the wealth, but the improper attitude toward it, the love of money and seeking to be rich to have riches and store up and for trusting in them and seeking to get it hastily by unlawful means, and just setting your heart on it, making an idol of it in pursuing riches before God. It is fine to pick a work that has potential to bring more wealth, but not to make getting riches the main end. We pursue God and our obedience and duties and if in the doing of our duties God chooses to prosper us greatly fine, if not also fine. This warning is to be given to the church.

1Tim 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

Continuing on here is what God’s tells the ministers to command those believers who are Rich. He does not tell them it is wrong to be rich or they should not be rich or to get rid of their wealth.

1 Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  NKJV

This is a good thing. It is not better than being poor or a slave or handicapped, all of which can show God’s grace and mercy and power in us as we also cheerfully rejoice in all things and patiently endure these as a testimony to God and the greater heavenly riches we all will inherit. But there is nothing wrong with being wealthy if we use it for God’s glory as well.

So getting rich to be rich, store up or heap pleasures on yourselves is wrong. Seeking to choose a line of work that may produce more income or wealth to use for God’s kingdom is not wrong. A Christian does not seek to be rich because he seeks a higher paying work. He must seek to be a steward to pass that abundance through him to the church’s work. So there is a difference in seeking a large income stream and seeking to hold onto and become wealthy or rich. There are Christians who have huge financial incomes and may live better off than others but they give 70-90% of their income to the Lord’s work. They are not storing it up to be rich and influential or abuse the poor.

 

Riches and success are not always a reward for effort or goodness. We cannot say because I have been given some wealth that for sure I am being blessed of God or that it is because I have pleased God that is why He is giving it to me. God disperses as He chooses to each of us what He will have us be responsible for, whether we “deserve” it or not. Because none of us deserve anything, God just uses us as He chooses.  Time, talents, wealth, sickness, fame, success or failure, we can glorify Him through any of these. They may or may not be a blessing or discipline, but our responsibility is to glorify Him by how we handle them and ourselves in these situations. Even the Israelites as they were being given the wealth of the Promised Land were reminded and warned of God not to think it was because of them or anything in them or that they had done, that God was giving them this inheritance. In fact He points out that they had been rebelling against Him and sinning. He has given this to them purely because He wants to and it will glorify Him. He uses each of us as He desires, to fulfill His will. Read all of Deut 9:1-8 here is vs 6. Deut 9:6 Therefore understand that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.

 

Neither poverty, just getting by nor wealth is better, just different ways God uses us. Beware of pride or thinking the abundance is some sign you are more spiritual or holy. It is just how God chooses to use you and not of your own doing. He may get more glory from the widow’s last 2 pennies. We just look to our God given talents, God given opportunities and God given desires and do those things that make most sense to us at that tie in our lives, humbly knowing we could be wrong, relying only on His power for results, trusting in nothing but Him for our next meal, and giving all glory only to Him.  

 

If you have the ability and talent and self-control to handle abundance and can use it for the advancement of the kingdom then you are at liberty to make use of it, and it may be you responsibility not to squander those talents and opportunities. Likewise if you are called to be a slave or a poor missionary be willing to do this.  Realize that no matter how hard you try you cannot increase your wealth or have success apart from His decision and working the results to make it happen. Apart from Him you can do nothing, and though Him you can do all.

 

Do not be deceived because you see the wicked prosper. God has a special plan for them later. It is a deception of the devil just as you do not look to other professing Christians who live very worldly and think, I am better than them so my spiritual state must be OK. No!  You have no assurance they are converted and on the narrow path.  Scripture does not say, do not be a little less worldly than others, it says do not love the world or the tings in it, at all! We must use care whether poor or abundant to make sure that 100% of all we do is to advance the kingdom of God. We do not share with God some of what we have?  God owns it all and He gives us stewardship over it as a responsibility to use it for advancing His kingdom. Rather than fitting in with the culture around us we should be living closer to the poverty level and giving the rest to those in need. Closing your eyes to the needs of poor brothers around the world and comparing yourself only to those in your culture and lifestyle is not Biblical; i.e. because the other business owners live in upscale neighborhoods and drive expensive cars does not mean it is OK for you to just because temporarily God has loaned you and abundance to be responsible for.

 

If you were a good steward and distributed to the needs of the saints as God has liberally given to you, you may not have the money left to live in upscale surroundings. Be sure you expose yourself to the Christians all over the world and love them and open your heart to them because one day that could be you. And one day you may be sitting next to them in the heavenly church. How will you look them in the eye in that day? Always be thinking of the future reality of our home when this short pilgrimage is over.

John 3:27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

 

We must not glory in riches.

Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

1 Cor 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

 

Job 31:25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; 26 If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness,

27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 This also would be an iniquity worthy of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.

 

Money is Not Security or to Get Status

A great error is to hoard and not use what wealth you have been given.   See Luke 12:16-21 and

Eccles 5:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

 

Nor should we use wealth to give to other wealthy people for seeking our own benefit from them.

Luke 14:12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. Wealth is to be used to help the poor.

Prov 22:16 …, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Prov 28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

Prov 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Prov 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Prov 21:13 Whosoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

 

Another error to watch out for, suretyship and pledges.

Prov 6:1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; NKJV

Prov 17:18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

Prov 22:26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you? NKJV

 

We are warned not to guarantee another man’s debt because we do not know how the Lord will deal with that man or how irresponsible he may be. Should he neglect to pay his house insurance the week before his house burns down you may have to sell your house to pay off his mortgage on a burnt up house if you co-signed. So if we are not able to pay and cover the debt easily ourselves we should not co-sign for another.  So being in debt is not good. In fact if you did not manage your finances or property well you could end up a slave. So there is a warrant then for care of our financial responsibilities. Of course god can bring calamity on us and we end up in debt or slavery that way, but we are to seek our financial advantage and freedom if we are able.

 

Prov 29:24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; NKJV

And of course use care who we would go into partnership with on anything, and who you work for. Many have gone to jail because of the illegal actions of their boss they had no knowledge of.

 

Be Willing to Let Go

We must be willing to let go of wealth, as Job who said, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Luke 18:22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

 

The rich man was unwilling to let go of his money and possessions for the Lord. This is the primary attitude and lust concerning wealth that we must avoid. Just because we have an abundance at any one time, it may be taken away for many reasons. We have to be willing to be content if this happens and still love God.  What we have, our health, time, money, home friends, children, even our spouses, all of these are the Lord’s. He has given us the responsibility to use, benefit from them and care for them for a time. He may take any of them away when He sees it is best for us and will bring Him the most glory. We must keep our hands open that He can fill them and let it flow through and not hold on, or more can not be put in. Wealth is not ours to store up in bigger barns, but to use. Money is of no use until you give it away or buy something with it. What do you want to buy for Gods’ Kingdom?  What would you do like to see done for His glory if you were able?  Well maybe you are!

 

Another danger to watch for is that many who have worked hard to get ahead a little having few extras may develop a feeling that the poor should work or try harder like they have. This may cause them to not give as freely to the poor and needy. They begin to think that because they worked hard to get what they have so should others. This is a denial that all they have and their talents and abilities were a gift from God and they are not poor only because God has kept them in health able to work and provided a job or income for them.  It is not just because we worked hard that we differ from the poor, God gives what results and prosperity He chooses to each of us regardless. We are to be responsible and diligently use what He has given us, but not to trust in the flesh that it could have ever achieved these results apart from God’s mercy on us. Who makes us to differ? Only God, else we would be as that poor person or born in Africa hungry and starving. As God providentially brings poor people across our paths let us be ready to give. More instructions to the believers who are rich:  1 Tim 6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

 

Are You Selling Yourself Short?

Why sell yourself short? On a practical note, why not seek to get as much for your time and labor and talents as you can; as they are able to produce. Isn’t that just good stewardship? Sloth is called a sin and it is not doing what we can with what we have. If you had a car you were going to sell, you would put some money into it and polish it up and try to get all you could for it? Or would you just take any offer someone made regardless how low. You probably would not be a poor steward of it and just take $200 because that was easy to get. You would say know it is worth more and try to get more or look for another buyer who saw the value and was willing to pay for it. You try to get as much as you could that is fair. Now doesn’t it make sense to do the same for your time and work? Why work for less than you can get? Seek to improve yourself and invest wisely in yourself; take classes and courses as needed to develop and improve your skills. Take some risks trusting God to bless since you seek the increase to serve His kingdom, not to consume it on your lusts. Perhaps change from working to help make your boss’ dream come true, to having your own business and being able to offer more toward God’s works or have more free time with your family and ministry.

 

Who are you to think that you can not be one who God will do large financial things through?  Who else will do it? Let the other guy? I used to say let those rich businessmen take care of the poor and build the church buildings etc. But I realized I was not being willing to yield to God to use me that way. What if God wants to use you to generate wealth for His work here? It may be good to see if God will use you to do larger things or develop new ministries. Do not say as did Moses, who me, I am not able, I am not a good speaker. Be available to God to use however He will. Seek to make as much as you can for your time. Look and see what opportunities are out there, what businesses you could have or that your wife could do from home without taking too much away from the family’s needs. Is there an opportunity that will pay you more? So what if you do not especially like it. It is God you are a slave to. Be willing to do it for Him. Do you think Christ felt good and it was easy for Him suffering all the way to the cross for you? Then a thankful person will not decide his earnings just on what feels comfortable or what will make enough for himself and his family to get by. He will do what he can to make the most for the Lord’s work, the church, and other families in need.  Don’t you want a good minister who won’t corrupt your children with error? Then why is it not your job to help fund and maintain faithful seminaries and help support faithful men to make it possible for them to go? Oh leave that to the church you say? Let the wealthy do that? Well who is the church or wealthy Christians if not people like you who chose to do something more? Not only those born into wealthy families can get large incomes.  And again, to do larger or more costly projects does not make one more spiritual or a greater person than others, it is just deciding and making the best use of our minds and bodies and the short time we have here for His glory.

 

Look and see what needs there are in the church, and the world. Put things you would like to see accomplished for His glory on your list of things to do and pray for. When you finish painting your house, pulling weeds and planting new grass, maybe you will also support a Seminary student, or a whole seminary; or build a church building, or support missionaries to preach. Maybe God will use you to do bigger things. To start a ministry to house the homeless or a project to feed the hungry or a system in schools to end ADD ADHD with good nutrition or cancer. Someone will one day!  How do you know you are not the one God wants to use to make these changes happen?
God is the one who gives you the desires of your heart. You must sort out which are from your flesh and which are from Him. Trust Him to convict you if you take off after wrong things or have wrong motives. Keep a sensitive heart for the Spirit and walk close to Him and His church. But do not waste or think little of what He has equipped you with and do not dishonor him by saying He can not do great things with you.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it   NKJV

Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe this verse? Then it ought to show in your life.
Another qualification on those who ask is noted in this passage, to expect to receive what you ask for you must be one who keeps the commandments and have desires that are pleasing to the Lord. 1 John 3:22  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. NKJV

 

Determining God’s Will for Your Life

It is neither for nor against God’s revealed will that you be a plumber or own a plumbing company; work for someone else or for yourself, be a pilot or own an airline company.  So it is up to you to decide what is wisest or more beneficial to the kingdom, what is God’s will for you. To determine God’s will look at where God has providentially placed you, and your current capabilities and even what you could do if you got more training. Look and see the needs around you. Identify your good desires, things that you would like to do. Grow in wisdom for making decisions by knowing all the scriptures and evaluating and discerning things by filtering them through God’s word. Make sure you keep your family and parental duties in balance with your personal spiritual life and serving others. Be sure duties are not being skipped due to fatigue or stress or too much time in over work. But these are common to many who just have jobs working for others as well as those who have their own farm or business.

 

One may say their calling is not to missions or to preach Christ; fine, then if God has called you to work and make money, shouldn’t you do that the best you can? Shouldn’t you then excel at making money for God’s glory and to help advance the kingdom, rather than be as the selfish worldly people that will just make enough for themselves? Can you live with a, just get by, attitude rather than running the race to win? Shouldn’t you be good at making money and excel at your trade for God’s glory?

Do not draw back with excuses or allow yourself to be limited by a fear that making lots of money will make you become materialistic. Have no fear; commit the money to the Lord’s service. Make it for Him and you won’t have to be concerned about your lusts. And stop doubting Him. Trust Him also that He is able to sanctify you to the point you will use the money wisely and for good things and not consume them on your lusts. Can you actually satisfy yourself that you are really a true believer if you feel you would continue in sin and lusts if you had more money? Then you may be that non-believer; you just have not had the temptation yet to help you see it. Just because we are not exposed to stronger temptation does not prove that we are holy. We are what we are; temptation only manifests it. If you are a true believer then ask God to keep you from materialism and sin by giving you the grace to be stronger and grow so that you are not materialistic. Besides, God has promised never to let you be tempted above what you are able to bear. 1Cor 10:13 Step up and strengthen yourself in the Lord.  And if you see yourself a spendthrift with a small amount of money then ask for grace to control this.

 

Before Wealth the Lesson of Contentment

Before we can be trusted with wealth, we must learn the spiritual lesson of being content in whatever state we are in. We must be content, but we are not to be complacent or lazy and disguise that as the grace of contentment. If we have not got this down, then wealth would be a curse. God must build into us the character of one who can handle the wealth and the responsibility that goes with it. Many other families may depend on our making wise business decisions. We can’t be those who murmur and complain and become discouraged over delays and difficulties in life. We could give up in the face of obstacles and hardships and many other lose their jobs and income because we were weak. God must first put us through trials and tests and bring us to the point where we trust Him fully, to give or to take away. Where we see ourselves as servants to the church and others first with all we have. We should become guardians and custodians of His treasury here. This personal development and maturity alone is worth the desire to serve God in any way He chooses. You must count the cost. Holiness cost Christ His life and no doubt we will shed a tear or two as He adds weights on to our daily tasks to strengthen us. You must become a person who sees God in all your trials. One who sees them from the true positive perspective that they are good gifts from God to build us up. Able to rejoice in tribulation and give Him glory in our peaceful way we handle burdens.  Not saying, why did God allow this to happen to me. Not thinking it is a negative.

 

The following passages tell us the good attitude to we are all to have:

1 Tim 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. NKJV

Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” NKJV

 

Am I really a Slave

Since wealth is not something we seek for in itself; it is a gift of God, and from a point of human responsibility, may come after diligent use of the talents and time God has given us. So we should be diligent in our work and perhaps seek to have some form of business that would allow the Lord to bring us abundance, whereas with a job we are on a fixed income. A business is like having a net in the sea trusting that God can direct all the fish to that net if He desires. Without a net there is no means for God to work directly through us to be a means to get funds to others in need. He can only use those who have their own net to give them abundance.

 

Consider that having only a fixed income job as an employee is like being a slave, which in most cases offers only a minimal opportunity for increase. You have limited ability to get time off and if you don’t do what the boss says you can lose your job and income and home. You must go to work and do what he says to live. We can choose who our master is or change, but we must have a master. Also if he makes mistakes and goes out of business you are out of income.  You are under his headship in some sense and the only way God could prosper you and give you and increase of income is if he chooses to prosper your boss’ company. God may want to afflict you boss. Whereas if you have some business, even part time, or passive income, an untold number of sales and money can be sent your way by God for you to be a vessel to help others.

When we work for someone else we help increase their income and opportunity. They are the master and owner. Our lifestyle is under their control. They become a head over us and the Lord has to work through them to us. We still have an attitude of working for the Lord not men, but He can not bring income to us directly. They are our authority and when God adds to their income it may not add much to us. But when work for ourselves as a carpenter, or farmer, shop owner, health professional, lawyer,  painter, author, or house cleaner, God can deal direct with us and send us as much money as we can use for Him.

 

Though the Bible condemns menstealing, we are told there is nothing wrong with honest slavery, due to poor decisions or indebtedness. It was a gracious means to care for the poor. In fact some chose to permanently remain in this position seeing it better for them to have someone else manage and care for their finances and living. Christians were not told to free their slaves or not to have any. But we are told if we have the ability to provide for ourselves, to seek our freedom preferably, since we will have more opportunity for God to use us and with less limitation. 1 Cor 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.  NKJV

This is not to say you are less spiritual if you are a slave, a prisoner or in the military but it does suggest it is preferable if you have the talents to be your own boss.

Col 3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. NKJV

1 Tim 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. NKJV

Similarly Paul tells us that the single man can care for the things of the Lord totally; but if he is bound to a wife he must care for the things of the world too. 1Cor 7:32-33

 

Some people do not have the ability to own or manage a company or to manage a farm and must work for others. But if we are able to work for ourselves we are out from under the headship and limitations of another person and more directly under God. We may have more opportunity to be free to store up treasure in heaven and time to use for God’s service.

We must ask God what is our calling in the world at this time. And it may change.

We should be examining ourselves and asking: Can I be more and do more for the kingdom? Is my situation the result of my lack of action, my fear of failure, a desire to please people and have them like me, my lack of willingness to try new things and grow, an overly conservative fear of loss and lack of trust in the Lord to provide?  I used to think that if I had a 9:00 to 5:00 job I was secure. In business there would be a risk of whether anyone would buy today or not; but the job paycheck was secure.  God brought me to the point where I could see from a different perspective, that this was a lack of trust in Him. I was trusting in my flesh or the company’s stability to keep that job. If I were to lose my leg in an accident I would not have that job either. I realized my only security is in the Lord. And if he can provide me with and keep me in a job, he can as well provide for me in a business. The key is, what does He wants me doing, rather than me just wanting to feel safe and call that good enough to get by! Let us do as much to bring as much glory to God as we can with our time and talents. But it is not more spiritual to make more or give more or do bigger projects; it is just a different calling to fulfill as a slave to Christ. It is being a responsible steward. 1Co 9:16-17 … gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me

 

It’s Not Only About Money

If you find a business or passive income opportunity where you do not have to trade your own time to get money you can have more free time to spend with family and other projects. If you establish a business where you can have employees or a manager doing much of the work, even a Leveraged Opportunity, like Network Marketing or an Internet business or financial investing where you are not required to work 8 hours or show up at all, can be excellent ways to redeem the time for use for the kingdom.  Even if you are only able to afford to have a bookkeeper or a housekeeper that can do part of the work for you, just not having to take the time to do all the work yourself may be worth it. As your financial situation improves what you will find as the most valuable commodity is your time. Being able to take off for a day, a week or two whenever you want, several times a year, to attend activities with your children, or educational seminars, mission trips, to help others during the day or do whatever service you really desire to provide to the church and others, discipling others, leading studies, serving as an elder or deacon, working on the church grounds, or website, the time freedom can be valuable for you!

 

But I Don’t Think I Could Do Anything Great

But someone will say I don’t think I have much talent. Well how will you know unless you try new things?  Look deep into your heart and see what desires are there. What would you love to be doing if you could? Why think that God is mean and would keep us from the desires and design He has made us for? Yes we must sort out the sin and the selfish from the true godly desires; but this is not to say, don’t think, don’t feel!  Do you hear the words, “Are you a slave and care not for it?” Then seek to be free of that if you are able and try something new. God will convict you if it is wrong. And His Spirit will continue to sanctify your motives. But why stay in a position that tempts you to grumble and complain about what you can’t do; can’t do, for yourself, for your family, for God’s kingdom. Especially for those who are the head of a household and responsible to provide for their family, shouldn’t they be doing the most they can for them? Shouldn’t you be trying to provide for the best schooling, food and health care for them that you are capable of?

 

Wouldn’t it be better if you can make enough money so your wife can stay home with the children and be of service to the church instead of having her in a job too just to make ends meet?
You may have to invest in yourself and spend some money on special training to make your talent valuable. Then do it. Like a singer or musician or author who must spend hours and years to develop their talent or hire coaches until it is valuable. But if you are happy and content where you are it is up to you we cannot bind your conscience in this matter.

 

Ask others what your talents are; what you are good at. Find what ability you have and start with that; use that. Jesus did not assume there was no food on the mount. He said, what do you have. He took what little was available in the people and worked with that.  He did not work with nothing. He asks us to work with Him. Why do you think He did this? It was an example for us. Don’t sit back and whine, Oh God I am nothing and don’t have nothing and don’t deserve nothing, so if you don’t feed me that is OK. He said go work. If you do I will feed you. Do something. At least beg. But do something so He can work with your working. He may not for long take care of you if you won’t do anything. 2 Thess 3:10-12 …this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Even if you think what you have is too small and insignificant He can make it fruitful. To hold back is to deny His ability !!!!

 

Who are you?

What does He want you doing with your time. The key is determining what God’s will is for your life. What is it God wants to do with your life, more than eat and train your children to just get by and die? If it is a reasonable thing to be prosperous and you are not doing it in a sinful way, then assume you will be blessed and get fruit for your labor. But God will determine how much you will get. Do not be attached to the results. Just do your work. *So questions we must ask ourselves and God are, is it right to do work or start businesses that may bring a large income or wealth and what criteria do we use to make the decision.

 

Prosperity that comes as a result of good planning, diligence and prayer can be a reward or responsibility that allows us to give more to God’s work. The old testament tithe was set up for that reason. If God were a socialist He would have different rules. But instead He instituted the tithe that was an equal percentage for all. This way those who made more gave more. From this design it is apparent God intended that some would make much more.
This is not what the prosperity gospel teaches or the health and wealth gospel that God wants all wealthy or that by faith or prayer you can twist the arms of God or earn a blessing. It is not a one to one reward, do this and you will get this. It is not a mechanism to get God to bless you. Just as praying for something is not a mechanism to get what we ask for. But when pursued consistently as a way of life in love and obedience to God the normal process is He works often through those people. Just as He told us Elijah was a man of like emotions to us and yet he prayed for it not to rain and God gave him the request.

It is a lifestyle we live out of love, thankfulness and faith; for those people who live this way God may choose to reward them in this life or just use them in this way. And He may not in this life, they may get their reward in the new heaven and earth. Of course there is a gift of giving, which must mean unusual giving or more regular giving, which does not have to be in large amounts but may be. So though there may be few who are wealthy, as Joseph of Arimathea who God used to purchase a tomb for Christ, there are some.

 

Some may choose to be celibate, which seems to be praised and has fewer temptations in some ways, but it is not what most people are called to. So the promises and commands in scripture seem to suggest most of us are living far more disempowered lives than God would like us to. He would like us to believe more, ask for more and bigger things. And we have seen examples in recent history of people who have prayed big, like George Muller. And John Newton the author of Amazing grace says, when you ask God for something ask big, for there is nothing you could ask for that would be greater than what He has already given you in His Son in that excruciating death for your sins. Amen. Rom 8:31 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? NKJV

And if He was willing to give His Son to you when you did not deserve that, then why would He not give anything else to you so that He can use you to help advance His work here on earth? To not ask big is to be of little faith and not access the power and love of God as He is able and willing to provide.

But each has his calling of God.

 

Prayer in Faith

Mar 11:22  And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Matt 21:22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

John 14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. NKJV

 

We are told one reason our prayers are not answered, so guidance is that we do not ask for wealth to become a rich man, or to spend it on our worldly pleasures, but to use for things in accord with God’s revealed will. James 4:2Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

 

But there is a qualification on who receives what they ask for: 1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight NKJV

 

Now if these are the very commands of God to us, why will you not obey in this area? Why not believe God can do more through you?  Why be willing to be little for God but not willing to do larger things? The key is be doing what God wants you to do and seeking to be a good steward of your talents, getting for them what you can. Not in the shrewd sense but not wasting them or selling yourself short either. Develop the character and self control of one who could be used by God to channel more money for the kingdom.
Some would warn us we can only ask for what is God’s will. No wonder so many Christians are paralyzed or greatly limited and inhibited in their prayer life with vague partial incomplete instructions like that.

Obviously no one knows what God’s will is for the future in our lives. So the scripture that teaches us to pray for things in accord with God’s will does not mean we cannot ask for anything that we do not know to be for sure God’s will or even that we have to say I want this if it is your will.   It means we do not ask for things clearly in opposition to the revealed will of God in His word. We pray in accord with what has been revealed of God’s will in the word. It is our guide.  Then as our desires are sanctified and our fleshly lusts mortified more and more we ask for what we want, that we think will bring glory to God, magnify His name and serve the kingdom.  So as long as it is not in opposition to the revealed will of God we are free to ask in accord with the guides given in the word.

 

But we must be in obedience to His word. We must be those who do not ask to consume it on our lusts, and who keep His commandments and please Him. He says a reason we don’t have is people do not ask. Why will you not pray and ask for what you want? Do you not really believe, so you won’t ask? See how important this command is? For it helps us to see if we really believe in God, that these scriptures are true, that He is the good king loving father He says He is who wants to do great things through us so His glory shows in the world. Perhaps that is the reason. Don’t say you believe and then not act like it. We do not really believe or we would take action. Faith without works is not real. James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Perhaps this is the real reason many are not having success and being blessed of God in this area.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

 

Or perhaps you feel you will ask amiss and wont get it anyway. It may be just a lust. Well then how will you know until you ask? Ask! Do you think God does not already know your heart and what you are wanting? So ask and confess to Him what you want. Then He can change your desires if they are wrong. Submit your desires to Him and ask Him to give you good desires and take away the selfish. This is called sanctification and how we grow in God. If you don’t ask you will never know and won’t get that fatherly discipline that assures us we are His children.

 

He desires us to ask because prayer is a means of His doing His work. Just as much as preaching or serving are means or methods God works though to get His kingdom work done so is prayer. If no one preaches no one gets converted. If no one prays in the same way His work is not being done. So He gives us the responsibility to pray as a means for Him to work through us. So do not limit God.

Don’t think yourself humble or unworthy, you are only weak of faith. He has commanded us to ask. We rebel when we don’t. It is not about your deserving it, it is about yielding and allowing Him to work through someone who is willing and yielded to do large works. So are you fully yielded and willing to believe? Are you willing to be used to channel money for God’s work or are you not willing? How spiritual is that?

So ask and trust God so He can work through you for His glory. It isn’t about you!! Do it for Him.

 

So if you have the God given ability to make more for good reasons, to serve the Lord with it and not just to be rich for selfish reasons of prestige, power, security or to oppress others, then there is no right or wrong to prosper and increase.

 

Now many will say that this is materialistic, worldly a misunderstanding of prosperity etc. So to make sure this is extremely clear and exactly what scriptures teaches in a balanced way let me cover a little more on our attitude.

One concept that is strange to many Christians and ministers is that God wants us to e experience joy. Joy from things in this life as well as joy knowing we have an eternal hope. Our joy now, and later. One of the chief motives God has given us for what we do is our joy. Now our joy is not the only motive, but to leave it out because it seems selfish, would be wrong. Even a main motive for Christ we are told was the joy set before Him.

Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, NKJV

1 John 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  NKJV

Phil 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind

Phil 1:25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. NKJV

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. NKJV

John 17:13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.  NKJV

John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.   NKJV

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. NKJV

Neh 12:43 for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.  NKJV

1 Tim 6:17 but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.NKJV

 

So God does want us to have joy now, some of this joy is from the expectation to come, but we experience the joy now. We do them that we may have joy or our joy may be full.

Joy may be a reward or work of the Spirit in us as we seek God and obedience to Him. But if we seek to have joy itself apart from it being the result of a proper understanding of scripture and what God has done for us, we make joy an idol. Certainly this is only one side of the Christian experience too. We will have sorrow and suffering in this life, and yet we should still have this underlying joy as well because we know God and He is still in control. So to avoid one side or point out or teach regularly one side more than it is balanced in scripture is not good.

And it is to be remembered that our chief joy is in God and knowing, serving and pleasing Him for all eternity.

 

So it is with prosperity. Most of what we see about prosperity in the OT was because of God using the physical prosperity as a type or foreshadow of our eternal prosperity spiritually. So to take those scriptures out of context and use them as a proof text that God wants all believers to be rich because Jabez, Abraham and Jacob were is wrong. Or to say because he restored Job with riches does not mean He will restore you in this life after a loss. We can give God glory by being cheerful and rejoicing when we are in lack and trouble even more than we can by having an abundance. So I think we will find it more common that most of us are not wealthy.

And as with joy, we should seek to prosper by storing up treasure in heaven primarily, and the ultimate fulfillment of our prosperity will be our eternal reward, and it is all of grace. And we don’t need the wealth, God could use unregenerate donors within the visible church or outside to fund the ministries. But that is not an excuse for our slackness in being responsible to use our talents at their value either.

 

But God does use us as He has made us, to be motivated by reward and punishment. We are warned of hell as a means to influence us, but certainly if avoiding hell is your only motive you have reason to question whether there has been a work of the Spirit in your life.

 

So does God give us the freedom to prosper in this life? Yes. But if we find ourselves violating the clear teaching of scripture, seeking to be rich for the wrong reasons and uses, seeking riches more than seeking God or as a security rather than a tool to advance God’s kingdom, then we have reversed the priority and are loving the world and the things in it. Even if we give much of it to charity or church, the initial motive 1st love is key.

 

 

 

How God Changed Me.

As an appendix to the scriptures above, perhaps seeing the way God brought some of this understanding to me may help you. A desire began growing in me, that if I was not to be out there directly advancing the Kingdom of God, a missionary or something, I did not want to make just enough money to eat and live a while, then die. If I was not to be preaching the gospel; and my calling was to work and make money, I realized it would be the best use of that calling to make enough to be able to support others who were out there teaching, spreading the gospel and feeding the needy. Just to make enough for my family to eat and die was vanity as Solomon says. I saw a better use of my talents and told the Lord I would go. Here am I send me. I want to be a part of building the kingdom, not just existing in it.  I am willing to handle lots of money for You.

 

Later my desires developed to where I made a decision that I would be a good wealthy person as an example to others who feared that one can’t be wealthy and a good Christian or not fall into materialism or greed.

I found out I was not the 1st and have since met many other good wealthy people and you can be one too. But I had to do a lot of growing and understanding to get to that point. I knew it was a good thing to work in ways that would be more productive. I needed to know that I was content with what I had, but that for His Glory I should make the most of my talents. I was not just seeking riches, but it became an obligation to be a good steward by making the most for my time that I could. A whole new perspective of seeing my servanthood for God, used to its optimum potential. As Long as I am going to work, why not get paid more for it? Why not work in a way that I may get more free time to spend with family and the church?

 

Over the years none of my convictions changed and I was not attached to have more money or not; but I put a net out in the water so that if God wanted to channel money through me for His work, He had a vessel to do it. I kept looking to find ways to have a bigger net; a business that allowed for more income with my limited time and talents. I did not want to limit His work through me by my own weakness or fear. I trusted that with the money He would also provide the grace to handle it. Just as I trust if He takes it away or even martyrs me in fire, He will provide the grace that I will not deny Him. I knew there would be added temptation so when more money came I got with my pastor and told him what I had and to keep a special eye on me that I did not get caught up with it. I acknowledged my need of others and let them in to be external motivation and accountability, recognizing God works through His church. My wife and I pray that He gives us grace to not do evil.

 

I am humbled and drawn so much closer to Him knowing the temptation that money may bring. Also the daily responsibility of deciding how to best use His money for His glory causes me to walk consistently close. Just as with anything there are temptations, but I see the money as a responsibility and it has made me more concerned for my spirituality so that I do not let it control me. Also I must follow these scriptural guidelines for the use of money. That is how this article was started, as a personal study for myself. Getting married or having children increases our temptations, as does the use of alcohol, or driving a car or many things in our lives, which we may not even question in this way. Should we fear the temptation of money more than any of these other areas that we are warned about in scripture? We should have a proper respect for the temptation and our own unique human frailty, yet trust in God as He grants us more strength in each area.  We have warnings about Marriage and alcohol, yet it is wrong to forbid their use?  So we can’t forbid wealth. 1Cor 7:8 & 28-29 & 32-34  1Tim 4:1-3

 

Preventing Evil From Wealth

I continually check myself to see if I am unhealthy or over stressed or if sins are popping up, all which may be a sign I am out of balance or spending to much time in an area. I am careful to maintain a balance in my time with my family and church fellowship and ministry. Though as with a farmer there are short periods of time where we work more, like harvest and there should be a balance of times where we work less so we can retreat and commune with the Lord. The balance does not have to be in each day or each week but we should probably not go on for years working long hours just seeking to get ahead. I seek to make sure I do not seek the wealth for itself or for self-exaltation, or power. I am closer to the Lord as I am aware of the responsibility of the wealth. I make sure I am accountable to my elders and ask them to keep an eye on me in general as well as friends. I trust them for spiritual counsel and they have been giving free right to inquire how I am doing. My pastor knows and can ask what I am doing with my money so that I am not alone and hidden, more apt to fall into temptation should it come. I created accountability to prevent temptation from arising.

I encourage them to help me determine where to donate it in places it will do the most good for God’s kingdom. Just as I am a part of the church, so all my talents and finances belong in the church. I recognize the dangers and watch and pray constantly that I do not enter into temptations and God graces me with strength to resist when I do. We must heed the warning of wealth as we do the warning, let not many of you be teachers for greater is your condemnation. If we are in places where we can fall into abuses we must be more on guard.

 

This is a way I help determine my involvement as I see the time it is taking from other priorities. Do I skip Church activities or prayer time or family worship, or fellowship and discipleship with others? Am I getting enough sleep? How is my irritability level? Am I too stressed or overworking?   These help me to keep my attitude in check. Is it controlling me or am I still in control? If any of these fall from where I feel they should be, I know I need to back off and re-evaluate my time and attitude. I trust the Spirit to convict me as well. I re-assess my priorities and keep them reasonable. By His grace I have not found this too difficult. I am excited to be in this battle for good. There were harvest times when I put in long hours and now for the rest of my life, Lord willing), I have much more time to be with my family and serving the church.

 

1Tim 6:17 tells us, God gives all things richly to enjoy, and this is one of the hardest parts; determining just how much I can legitimately enjoy. When I see others who have less it is hard for me to justify much extravagance. So we do not have a fancy house or lots of things and toys. There have been times we have had some for a season and passed them on to others, which is also a joy. We don’t buy brand new cars, we buy used ones. But we buy one year old cars with low mileage and not a 10 year old barely running clunker. And why; because it is not as if God is broke and can’t afford the nicer things so we must buy the cheapest. It is a matter of value. If I waste more time fixing and repairing an old car and having it break down on my way to a large business deal, I could lose more than the cost of a car. The same is true of clothes, sometimes the cheap ones wear out 4 x faster than the ones that cost only twice as much. And depending on your line of work you may not be able to do it effectively wearing blue jeans but you do not buy clothes just to have the designer labels when there is no more value in them than another.  I think if your heart is right before God, He will guide you and convict you as you learn how to use His money in your life. We all make mistakes and this is how we learn. We start off with small decisions and gain experience before making larger ones. We risk little to begin with then more as we gain ability. As God blesses our efforts and disciplines our mistakes we grow. Do not expect the wealth all to come at once. We must go through the process of learning how to handle it before we are entrusted with much.

Luke 12:48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required;…

We will make mistakes, but God cares about our heart and motive. He knows if our desire is to be selfish or if to please Him in the use of the money. We will not get away with anything before Him. We may fool ourselves or others, but not God.

 

The Need to Learn Money Management to be Entrusted With Wealth

75% of the people who win multi-million dollar lotteries are bankrupt within 3 years. They were not brought up through the process to be prepared to handle the money and it slipped right through them. If you have it handed to you without the work, it is all the more dangerous and potential to be a curse. One in that case must earnestly seek holiness and character development to become strong quickly before he is corrupted by inherited wealth like Solomon. No you should not expect wealth to come quickly or easily without first substantial lessons, preparedness and seeking for grace. So do not seek for riches as the heathen do. Seek to glorify God as much as you are able with your talents. Do not waste them and hold back for fear of failure or loss. But be wise in investing to have as much income for His service as you can.

 

This is a great reason to plan ahead for wealth. Pay to learn from those who know how to successfully manage money and buy passive income opportunities. Take courses or read books and listen to tapes.  Making much more is something anyone can learn. But you have to expose yourself to those who can teach you who know if you weren’t born into a family that raised you with business and investing knowledge.

To set goals and plan for what you will do with the money if it comes is wisdom. Why should the money come to you if you have no need for it? So many say, I will figure out what to do with it if it comes. This is not how it generally works. We must have a plan and need for it, missions or ministries in mind that the money will go to. Be in prayer for it. And have learned to handle it so that it is not a curse and temptation when it comes. That it does not sit being wasted while we catch up figuring out where it should go.

Those who will be given much have already shown they know how to handle much because they have been faithful and with little. Make a business plan for your life, for what you would like to do if you had the money. As if you had a billionaire benefactor who saw your plans and said I do not have the time to do those projects, but I like your plans and will fund you with 5 million dollars. Because our Benefactor has the 5 million and can deliver when there are those who will do His will.

 

Learn and practice money management now with what you have. Though it is not specifically taught in scripture here is a good system that has proven effective as a starting point. Each time you get income put it into separate accounts for each of the following categories to develop discipline and habit.

Set aside what you have to pay in taxes to the government, if more than enough is not taken out of your income ahead of time. You can make this much lower by having a business so that many of your now taxable expenses become tax deductible. It is wise to use the tax benefits offered by the government to businesses. This alone allows you extra money to use for good things, but you have to be sure you get reliable tax advice, and don’t try to get away with things because God always sees.

Though the scriptures do not teach a 10% tithe in the OT or the NT as often is wrongly taught, (see my article on tithing 10% not taught in scripture) it is a good principle to at least give 10% of the first fruits of increase as a reasonable minimum amount to go to God’s service through your church or possibly other ministries. (Of course there were other tithes and offerings paid in the OT as well as this one, and we should seek to be able to give way more than 10% to our church. Some wealthy Christians give 90% to God’s work.)

 

What is left is not yours to do with as you please, but is to be managed for God and use it as Christ would have you, remembering to seek 1st the kingdom of God in all you do. That means the kingdom in you, your own spiritual sanctification, and the expansions of God’s spiritual kingdom on earth. This is your 1st priority and love.  So of this remainder:

1. Put 10% to a Long Term Savings for Passive Income producing assets account.

2. Put 10% to Medium term Savings for Specific Items. Car, House, Projects, Repairs, washer, etc.

3. Put a significant enough (maybe 2-3% initially) to each spouse for spending and recreation fund.

4. Put 5-10% to your own Education, Spiritual conferences, Personal Development and Finance and Business courses, Marriage and child rearing courses etc. to continue to grow wisdom.

5. Put initially 50-60% in the Necessities account, rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, gas, personal and household needs, which will eventually decrease below 50 % as your income goes up even if you increase your lifestyle gradually too, as long as you don’t increase lifestyle expenses faster than your income growth.

Now if you are overextended already on necessities so that you can’t set aside as much as in these percentages then put lower amounts into each category for now and aim toward this.

 

Also stop paying interest on credit cards and small loans. The home loan should not be paid off early, if you will be spending on credit cards and paying higher interest on them anyway. The home loan is usually the least expensive interest you can get. So if you choose to invest money and can get a higher rate of return than the home mortgage, then it would be unwise to not invest and pay off the low interest home loan. You can make more than the interest you could save on the home loan. In fact many refinance their homes to invest the money. As long as you can be relatively certain you can make the payments this may be just as responsible as getting a loan for a home. An ELOC or HELOC can give you money at a low home loan rate of interest and you can use it like a credit card. You take just what you want when you need it and repay it monthly as you can. Far better than credit card debt with higher interest. But seek to have plenty saved so you do not need to go into debt for anything. Your fund replaces the broken washer or car, instead of going on an expensive credit card or loan with high interest.

 

If you are one of the few who learns and has control over money, then you may be one who God chooses to use to channel money through to do bigger works for his Kingdom. At least you will have secure finances, be safe with wealth and not brought under the control of it or love it.

 

Planning for our retirement years of less income and ability as well as the potential care of our parents and older relatives, should be a goal that guides our work and productivity also. Be reasonably prepared. The scriptures do not offer us a retirement but if we are financially able to change how we spend most of our time it may be of value to the church. We still must trust in God day to day to provide, and each has a conscience on this they answer to. Some may say we will not store at all and live day to day as Jesus asked the disciples to do during the period of time they went out two by two ministering. And others may store a bit more thinking it wise to prepare for famine as instructed Joseph to do in Egypt. Who would go on a journey and not plan ahead to take what he needs. Yet we also know we are not to worry about the future, for the Lord has promised to His diligent and faithful who obey Him to provide all they will need.  But His providing is a result of our preparation, not sloth. He who sovereignly provides also sovereignly designs the means to accomplish it as well. It is not spiritual to say I will do nothing because I trust the Lord will provide. Neither do we seek poverty as though it was better or more spiritual. Hear how He tells us in  2 Thess 3:10… If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.  NKJV

So clearly working to earn plenty is proper and we are not to be needy and dependent on others if we are able.

 

I hope this is helpful to you, in freeing you and helping you see the benefit that lies in having some sort of business with open ended, rather than a fixed income opportunity. Best of course is one that is passive and requires eventually little to no time. And that we should not seek riches as a blessing of God, rather seek to use our time and talents the most profitable way for us to benefit the kingdom, whether we get riches or not. This may mean for some, as a volunteer in a worthy project. Just, do not avoid taking the risk to invest or work in the most profitable sensible ways out of fear of loss. Why work overtime to get by when there are ways to minimize your time output so you can have more time for family, church and ministry? 1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

Let this rule guide us in all our decisions; not just what is best for me and my family, but what is best for the others in the world. This part for sure my friends is your calling, and God’s will for your life.

 

May God’s grace continue to keep me from falling, that I may serve Him in this capacity as long as He wills. May His grace keep me should He humble me and remove all that I have; so that I do not deny Him and complain or even ask why. May I trust Him implicitly, though I may not trust myself to have been what I should have. Whether in wealth or poverty, keep me daily by your grace and Father let me die a glory to Thee!

My prayer for you is the same as St John’s for his readers, Brethren, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, in the same way as your soul prospers.

An update just so you can see how God has worked in our lives and kept us faithful, content and rejoicing is that God saw fit to remove our abundance after 15 years of it, at least for a time, though we still have a significant income, the IRS has taken all our life savings and assets and has put us on a minimal budget and is taking the rest due to what they say was an underpayment of tax by my accountant, which we were able to pay back, but we still have to pay the penalties and interest on the deficiency amount plus interest on that amount which continues to accrue. We rejoice in the taking away as much as the giving and know the money is the Lord’s and await to see what the future holds. God has brought us full circle from unemployed poverty, to jobs, both working, to financial freedom with much abundance and charitable giving, now back to a minimal living.  By His grace alone our attitudes are fine and we know this world is not our home. Our success is in Him not in the things of this world.

Don P                                                                                                             3/17/2000 Rev. 7/2009

Covetousness and Wealth – William Gouge

Riches Increased by Giving – the Surest Way of Thriving – Thomas Gouge