Successful Money Management for Christians Lesson Two
Successful Money Management for Christians
Lesson
Two
“Proper
Spiritual View Towards Money”
“As
to every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power
to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor---this is
the gift of God”
(Ecclesiastes 5:19)
God
created all things! (Genesis 1:1, 11-12, 10, 22,
etc.). Thus, all
belong to God! (Psalms 50:7-12). Yet, God created all of
these things (trees, vegetation, minerals, metals, precious items, etc.)
for man’s benefit. Even though all belong to God (Psalms 24:1),
He has made all these things as potential wealth for man. God has no need
of such (Acts
From
the above we would conclude that man’s primary challenge is not to have
money (material things), but to hold a proper spiritual view concerning
money. This is known as “Stewardship.”
This word translates a Greek word that literally means, “house
law.” The concept is one who
rules, governs, or manages a household. The idea is simply stated: “God
is owner, man is the steward or manager of
God’s things.” This is not
generally how man views things. His view can be characterized as: “I
have worked for it, it is therefore mine to do with as I see fit.” (Psalms
49:6-7). The Biblical view is, “God
owns it all, and I am entrusted with proper management of it, so that
every decision I make as manager should be one God is pleased with.”
And since all belongs to God, He has the right at any time to call
them back.
With
this understanding about “managership”,
we are now ready to briefly look at the basic spiritual views we should
have towards money.
RECOGNITION
AND APPRECIATION
There
must not only be a recognition of God’s ownership, but an appreciation
of what God has provided for us! He has given us all things to be enjoyed,
with thanksgiving and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4).
It is man's responsibility to recognize that God is the one who
gives man riches and wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:19), and He
doesn’t want us to forget it when we come to enjoy these things. He does
not want us to think that all has come by our own might (Deuteronomy
8:17-18), but rather to remember from whence all things come (1
Corinthians 4:7) and be grateful (1 Thess 5:18). It
is very possible that God even determines how much
each Steward
receives to
the extent
of his
ability to
handle (Matthew 25:14-15). So, ingratitude can be a
grave evil on mankind’s part that must be overcome (Isaiah 1:2-4).
ACCOUNTABILITY
There
needs to be a recognition of accountability that will be given of our
stewardship (Luke 16:2). Since
we are managers, it is expected that we will be faithful in carrying out
the instructions of the owner (1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew
25:19). That we will use
what is entrusted to us wisely, correctly, and acceptably in view of an
accounting to be given (Luke 16:1, 10-12).
The amount entrusted to us is not the primary issue, but the
faithful, proper use of what is given to us. The Bible makes clear that
the faithful will be rewarded with more to use (Matthew 25:20-25, 29),
while the unfaithful will be punished severely (Matthew 25:29-30).
AREAS
OF ACCOUNTABILITY
There
must be a recognition that this accountability involves three primary
areas. (1) Providing for our own needs and the needs of one’s family.
It is to provide such things as food, clothing, shelter, health,
education, and a legacy for our children (1 Timothy 5:8;
Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; 2
Corinthians 12:14). God knows that we need these things (Matthew
6:32). He wants His creatures to live in dignity and comfort befitting
one made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
(2)
To have sufficient to reach out to help others. Such people as the
poor, needy, widows, orphans, hungry, naked, sick,
imprisoned, etc. (James 1:27; Matthew 25:35-46).
Strong warnings are given in both Testaments about hoarding for self alone
and not being concerned for those around us in need (Ecclesiastes
5:13), and in not being rich towards God by the proper use of our
money (Luke 12:16-21).
(3)
To provide the needs of furthering the kingdom of God. We are
called upon to give liberally as we are prospered (1 Corinthians
16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). If we will give
properly, then God has promised to multiply our ability to do
more (2 Corinthians
9:8-11). But if we fail, we then are said to be “robbing
God.” (Malachi 3:8).
NECESSITY
OF WORK
There
is a need to recognize the necessity of work to provide for these things.
Work was originally designed by God for man even in Eden (Genesis
2:15). Man’s labor would then produce wealth that God has made
possible by turning His natural world into something useful for man.
Because of man’s sin, God determined that man’s work would be harder
for him (Genesis 3:17-19). Thus, hard work and prosperity
are not sinful in themselves. Man should be thankful for the ability and
opportunity to work. He wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labor (1
Timothy 6:17). The sluggard or slothful man is strongly condemned in
Scripture (Proverbs 6:6-11; 22:13).
Several
key factors can affect how much we will secure through our efforts. The
occupation one chooses is an obvious factor. But one’s ethical &
character qualities are strong determining factors. A faithful steward
will have such qualities as: honesty, a positive outlook,
enthusiasm, cheerfulness,
hard work,
living up
to one’s
promise, diligence,
good example, investing
time, energy, skill, thinking, making good decisions, dependability, able
to communicate well, willing to listen, able to manage, and good health,
etc. But one of the most obvious Biblical concepts is to work like we are
working for the Lord (Romans 12:11). With these qualities
and outlook, we will not secure our money wrongfully (Proverbs
22:16, 22-23; 28:6, 20).
Work,
then, can be looked upon as honorable, for it gives dignity and meaning to
life, builds character, and is fulfilling. Work can be looked upon as
rewarding in dollars and cents, in contentment, in self-respect, and in
achievement. And the pride I take in my work shows the pride I take in
myself. For my work represents me. The choice I make of either poor
quality work or top quality work can reflect on my stewardship!
SECURITY
AND CONTENTMENT
There
needs to be a recognition that my security and contentment is in God, not
in possessions. God intended money to be our servant, not our master (Matthew
6:24). Therefore, there can be no contentment nor security when
money (mammon) is our master (Matthew 6:33; Philippians
4:10-12). Jesus made it clear that life does not consist in the
abundance of what a man possesses (Luke 12:15). Neither
contentment nor security can be ours until we recognize that both are only
found in God. To help us further see this, God has warned us about the
dangers of: (1) Envying the rich (Psalms 49:16-17);
(2) Trusting in uncertain riches (Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Timothy 6:17); (3)
The love of money (Ecclesiastes 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:10).
If we have contentment and security in God, we can sleep at night without
worry (Ecclesiastes 5:12). The apostle Paul said that he had
learn this great truth (Philippians 4:11-12). Have we?
CONCLUSION
We
would do well to take the advice of the writer of Proverbs when he
challenges us to get wisdom, for it is the principal thing (4:7-9).
God’s wisdom can give us the proper spiritual view of money so that the
dangers are greatly reduced and our soul to no longer be in jeopardy (Proverbs
3:13-18). And when we seek after His wisdom, then riches often
come. A major task of the church is to help people have a proper spiritual
view of money for the good of all.
Homework