God and Money

God and Money

Be Mindful of The Risks Associated With the Love of Money.

As we travel through life, several diseases pose a hazard to us. Certain of these could be deadly. Our physical bodies are not the only ones at risk. The Bible cautions against certain spiritual dangers. The love of money is among the most hazardous.

The Bible is filled with God’s warnings concerning the perils of money and prosperity. Consider these cautions to be as important as a sign that reads,”Danger: Road washed out ahead.”

Rich or poor, be aware of the following dangers of riches or the love of Money.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. (Proverbs 23:4)

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

It is important to note that the desire for money, rather than money itself, is “a source of all

types of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Although money is not inherently evil, it is rare to find someone who has not fallen in love with it.

Examine your attitude about money

The first thing many people want to talk/ hear about is financial prosperity. While saving, tithing, budgeting, borrowing, and other financial matters are vital, our attitude toward money is more crucial.

It is much simpler to handle practical issues if our perspective on money is in accordance with the will of God.

UNDERSTANDING GOD, AND MONEY

ACCEPT THAT GOD IS THE OWNER.
Understanding whose money we are talking about is the most crucial idea to have in mind.

You do not own it. It is not your spouse’s if you are married. God owns it. For the majority of us, the idea that God is the owner of everything is alien.

We like considering our money and stuff. But the Bible is extremely clear that everything belongs to God.

Everything was made by and for him (Colossians 1:16).

He is the owner of everything.

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10)

The world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 50:12)

“The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:8)

A LESSON FROM NEBUCHADNEZZAR.
One of the most formidable monarchs in history, Nebuchadnezzar, discovered this lesson the hard way. He took a stroll one day.Is not this the magnificent Babylon I erected as the royal dwelling, by my enormous strength and for the glory of my majesty, he said as he walked? (4:30 Daniel).
God’s response was swift and direct: He stripped the monarch of his sanity and had him graze outdoors like a cow.
When God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity seven years later, the king no longer reveled in his wealth but exalted God as the supreme ruler of all instead (Daniel 4:34-37).
“I earned what I have. No one gave me anything.”
Nebuchadnezzar’s sin was one of pride and of self-sufficiency. In essence, he said, “Look at what I did all by my hand.”
You may have had similar thoughts, something like, “I earned my money. No one sponsored me. I had to work for it.”
It may be true that you put in hours to get where you are. Yet it is God who created you in the first place and gave you the power and talent to make wealth.
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to make wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Replace pride with thanksgiving

Replace pride with a thankful heart. It’s okay to find satisfaction in your work (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Just remember to thank God for creating you and giving you life, the gifts, skills and strength that allow you to prosper.

RECOGNIZE YOUR ROLE AS A STEWARD.
God has given you the role of steward or manager over a portion of his wealth.

You have the honor and duty of maintaining his property and making wise financial decisions with his money.

Realizing that you are a steward may significantly alter your perspective.

Ask the Lord, “How do you want me to spend your resources?” rather than, “What do I want to buy?”

Do you feel sad or small knowing that you are a steward and don’t genuinely own anything?

Not at all. God put you in the world and cares about you so much that he gave you some of his treasures.

This method of looking at your money may be a fascinating adventure.

God makes provision for your pleasure. The fact that you are a steward doesn’t mean that it’s wrong to enjoy yourself. Love for God and others should be our major priority in life, not gratifying our own interests.

God, however, is a loving father who bestows gifts on his children.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17)

YOU WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO THE LORD

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus taught the parable of the talents. In this story, a man gives each of his three servants varying amounts of money to take care of while he is away. When he returns, two of the servants report that they used the money wisely and earned more money.

The third servant, however, said he buried his money. He didn’t make any money or earn any interest.. He was severely punished.

Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30)

Jesus told this money story to convey a spiritual truth, not to teach financial management. However, by employing this illustration, Jesus also indicates that we are to utilize his resources in a trustworthy manner. We shall answer to God for our stewardship.

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16:11-12)

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

WORK DILIGENTLY

Several years ago, I met a man who was fed up with working for a living. He resigned his work and stated that he trusted God to provide all of his needs. How did he accomplish this? He parked his car in the church parking lot and prayed for people to bring him groceries! He mistook trusting God for merely existing and waiting for the Lord to supply via other people. He had a misunderstanding regarding employment. Work is a part of God’s plan for us. God made Adam, the first person, a gardener (Genesis 2:15). The Bible encourages us to work hard.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

It allows us to provide for ourselve, our loved ones, and serve God. We are good stewards when we work hard. We also set a good example for Christians in our community.

When we are lazy, we are a bad example and it hurt Christ.

Work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Whether you work for someone else, own a business or are a homemaker, Put all of your effort into your work and try your hardest. Work on improving your job performance. Utilize the chances for training. Look for wisdom. God will work for your good (Proverbs 3:16 and 8:18).

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (Proverbs 18:9)

If a man will not work, he shall not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

BE RELIABLE.

For many people, the most crucial “ethical” maxim is, “If you don’t get caught, it’s okay.” The second is, “If you’re discovered, lie about it.” God has a unique perspective on things. He wants us to be trustworthy people. The Lord is aware of our actions even when no one else notices that we are being dishonest.

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)

3. GIVE GENEROUSLY

Help others, tithe, and give offerings

GOD BLESSES US WITH WEALTH SO THAT WE CAN BE GENEREOUS.

Many people are unaware of the value of generosity. They cling tenaciously to their possessions, unaware that selfishness frequently results in financial difficulties..

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11)

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

GIVE FREELY OF YOUR TIME AND ABILITIES.

Be a generous person with your time, looking for ways to assist your church, other ministries, or those in need, regardless of whether you have a lot of money or material possessions. Consider others deeply and emulate Christ by doing so.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:5-7)

BE ESPECIALLY GENEROUS IF YOU ARE WELL OFF

Even though everyone is encouraged to give, you should do so more so if you are wealthy. Do not feel ashamed of your wealth, but keep in mind that it is not yours. Bless others with it.

Command those who are rich … to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

FOLLOW BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

Whatever your financial circumstances, God wants you to seek out opportunities to bless others. The following Bible examples should serve as motivation for you to use your possessions—your home and your finances—to advance God’s kingdom.

Mary Magdalene and other women helped support Jesus and the apostles (Luke 8:1-3).
Joseph, a wealthy man, provided his own tomb for Jesus (Matthew 27:57-60). Nicodemus supplied expensive spices for the burial (John 19:39).
Priscilla and Aquila invited Apollos to their home to tell him about Jesus (Acts 18:26).
The Corinthians gave money to help impoverished Christians in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8 and 9).
Philemon opened his home for church meetings (Philemon 2).
BE GENEROUS GIVE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF GOD.

GIVE TITHE

In appreciation for God’s love, people have been giving him a tithe (ten percent) and more of their income for thousands of years. In the Old Testament, we read:

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the land, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (Leviticus 27:30)

It was said that not tithing was like robbing God because it was so important.

Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:8)

Some people believe that we are not required to tithe because we are no longer subject to the law. They frequently add that the New Testament makes no mention of tithing. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were correct to tithe one-tenth of everything, according to Jesus when he chastised them (Luke 11:42). Whatever your opinion of tithing, it is undeniable that the New Testament instructs us to give generously. To understand how significant this is to God, read 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. You should be eager to give to the Lord’s work and to assist those in need if you have the heart to impact the world for Christ.

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHURCH

Donate a lot to your local church. You must do your part to support it because that is where you are fed with the word of God. Make sure your tithe goes to the storehouse, which is your church, even though it’s acceptable to assist other ministries as well.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. (Malachi 3:10)

GIVE SPECIAL OFFERINGS

Give additional offerings for special needs in addition to your tithe to your church. Missionaries, college pastors, relief agencies, crisis pregnancy centers, and Christian legal advocacy organizations are just a few of the ministries that rely on kind donations. Ask God to lead you to projects and businesses that you should support.

BE OF HELP TO PEOPLE IN NEED

We are commanded to help those in need all throughout the Bible, but especially to give generously to the poor.

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. (Proverbs 21:13)

The Bible tells us to help other Christians. God refers to all Christians collectively as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). We are family.

Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (James 2:15-16)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)

Not just with other believers are we instructed to show generosity. We must also lend a hand to others. Everyone who is alive was made by God. Every individual is valuable to him.

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

GIVE WISELY

You have a duty to be generous as a steward of God’s resources, but you must give with discernment. Do not believe that you must provide for every need. The hundreds of ministries you might hear about do not require your assistance. Prior to making decisions, pray for wisdom. If you decide to toss a letter asking for money, even if it is for a good cause, don’t feel bad or sinful about it. The advice provided below can assist you in making informed donations.

PRAY FOR WISDOM

Ask God for “depth of understanding” and knowledge (Philippians 1:9). Consider locating genuine needs.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9-10)

It’s simple to become emotionally involved when hearing someone ask for assistance. Before committing to a financial donation, pray. Give yourself permission to wait and pray for a day before making your decision to give if you believe you may be too caught up in the emotion of the moment.

GIVE TO YOUR LOCAL CHURCH

Give your church, your tithe. Then think about making additional offerings to it as well. You can have more faith in where the money is going by giving offerings to your church for missionaries and different ministries.

YOU SHOULD ASSIST CHRISTIAN WORKERS.

My wife and I feel a sense of confidence and excitement when we support the ministries of people we know personally and people recommended by our children.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Which of these wealth-related dangers might you encounter? How can you stay safe from these threats?

CONSIDER YOURSELF AS A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN.

The time we have left on earth is inherently limited. We will spend all of eternity with God after we pass away. If we understand that our citizenship is in heaven, We are less likely to become obsessed with material things. (the love of money).

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

MEMORY VERSE

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

God bless you.

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