SECTION TWO: HIS PURPOSE
One of the reasons that people in cultures like America
While it may not seem like it to us with our mounting payments and decreasing paychecks, but our society is one of affluence. Largely the books written by financial experts are how to make your money grow; how to become a millionaire by retirement; and how to make the most of your money. They are all geared to people who have extra money. Because we have grown up in an affluent society, we feel that these plans must be for us. Yet, many of us who have a desire to be a good steward with our finances and “invest for the best future possible” find that we only have the means for today.
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| Most of us are strectching the money from paycheck to paycheck. |
I want to encourage you that you are not necessarily irresponsible, hopeless or bound for destitution if you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck. IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE FINANCIAL PEACE WITH OR WITHOUT FINANCIAL PROSPERITY.
God did not promise the means for savings, retirement, college and insurance. These are the responsible things to do IF, let me reiterate that, IF God allows us to have a SURPLUS in our source of financial income. God’s word stresses: “sufficient unto the day.”
(Let me step back and say that if many of us do not get into unsecured debts by been impatient, “boasting ourselves of tomorrow,” jumping into get rich quick schemes, or just being plain covetous, then we very probably will find ourselves with maybe a little extra breathing room.)
Still, if you find yourself in a situation where you have extra income and are able to invest for possible future circumstances, it is important to remember that our financial security should not rest upon ourselves, our savings, and our investments. The Bible clearly says,
Pro 23:4-5 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
How many people have found chance having its way in their life and seeing their portfolio disappear before their eyes in the middle of an economic crash? In times like these, one can rest knowing that they were a faithful steward and that God will judge them according to that alone. HE IS STILL THE PROVIDER.
If you have read the previous sections on OUR PROVIDER, hopefully you have found confidence that our financial security lies upon God’s promises to us in conjunction with our obedience to His Word.
The next most important thing after we understand who our Provider is, is that we understand HIS PURPOSE for money. His purpose in everything is to bring glory to HIS name and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He meets our physical needs so that we may accomplish His purpose. In addition to meeting our physical needs, He wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Yet, our needs and our enjoyment do not come BEFORE HIS PURPOSE.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psa 37:3 - 5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. V4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. V5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. V14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. V15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. V16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
GOD’S PURPOSE COMES FIRST. God’s work primarily is that of giving.
An evangelist recently said, “God doesn’t bless you so that you can HAVE. He blesses you so you can USE IT. Yet we are too busy PLAYING to be used.” It reminds me of Hudson Taylor saying, “Accumulation is a hindrance.”
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Therefore, before I talk about US and what WE can expect to do personally with our finances, I want to mention what we need to do BEFORE we look at our finances in regard to food, raiment and other expenses; “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…”
GIVING OF OUR FIRSTFRUITS TO THE CHURCH
The church is a wonderful thing. It is a place to bring the lost. It is where we receive encouragement to KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON. It is where we find a place of service. It is where we are aided in teaching our children the stories and principles of God’s Word. It is a haven of rest in a weary world. It is a place of fellowship. It is the place ordained by God to meet together, worship and serve Him.
When I hand out a tract, I have confidence that if that person were to come to our church that they would be welcomed and taught the word of God. I am thankful that there is a place where we can meet together under the headship of our pastor.
I am thankful that our church has no debt and that the parking lots and grounds are clean and well maintained. I am thankful that our facilities have no smell due to being ill-kept. I am thankful that our pastor does not live in poverty. I am thankful that our ministries have the touch of care and going-the-extra-mile; because I can be sure that when I invite a friend, the name of God and the gospel will not be marred. All this is possible due to tithes and giving.
My husband has been on many forums where a hot debate was going on as to whether tithing ten percent was required for the New Testament church. One man said to a pastor’s wife, “I am offended that you would say that I am stealing from the Lord by not giving 10% to the pastor and the church.” She replied (tongue-in-cheek), “Well, I am offended that you would call me and my husband “greedy” for wanting people to tithe.” Either way, the historical way for the needs of the man of God and HIS ministry to be met were through tithing.
Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.
Gen 14:19 -20 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: V20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Mal 3:7 -10 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? V8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. V9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. V10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Still some argue that there is no certain percentage stated in the New Testament that we should give? I couldn’t say there is. But God says in I Tim. 5:16-18 that a pastor is worthy of his reward and worthy of double honour. So, if it is not 10% it could very well be 20%.
What I always go back to in this debate is that we claim the wisdom of the book of Proverbs to guide us in our every day life. Wisdom is the principle thing. Wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. Wisdom calls out and many refuse it, but wisdom does not change. It is always true and righteous. It is in Proverbs that we find:
Pro 3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
One would question the motive of Christian’s arguments on this topic of not tithing when it is clear that God starts the Old Testament with tithing and finishes the Old Testament admonishing people against robbing Him of tithes and offerings and then the entire New Testament is FILLED with the works of financial giving to the church and missions. My question to any Christian would be, “WHY NOT?”
I know the answer, because at one time or another we all find ourselves asking the same questions, and we find the answer to be FEAR AND SELFISHNESS. Due to one circumstance or another we start looking at what we could have, or could pay if we had not given. We begin to forget that we are safe with God as our provider and that we are here to serve HIS PURPOSE not our own.
Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Someone recently said, “I don’t need to tithe yet. Tithing is for old people. Why should I waste that money? I could use that for something important: like clothes or gas.” The same person said, “Why should I give to missions? That’s MY money.” Oh, the sorrow of heart when someone misunderstands God’s gifts to us. Oh the shame that will come at the Judgment Seat of Christ when God looks at what we did with “OUR MONEY” that HE PROVIDED.
God is our provider, and He promises to bless giving; is it in not GOOD therefore to err on the side of righteousness? When in doubt, ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and the cause of Christ.
IT’S ALL ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
It is often when things are the most difficult that we find the greatest reward in obedience. You know a man’s true faith not by what he does in the good times but by what he does when everything seems impossible.
But what about AFTER tithes and offerings, we ask? At that point we are in the zone of what we often think of as “OUR MONEY.” This is the point at which the rubber meets the road. This is when our character and our heart’s desires are often revealed. How do we spend our time, talents and treasures? How invested are we in God’s work? How deeply will we let it affect OUR TIME and OUR LIFE?
We often have a skewed view of God, thinking that He doesn’t REALLY care what we do with ALL of our time, talents, and treasures. We squander time idly. We squander pennies and dollars on things that have no value. We allow our bodies and material possessions to become damaged due to our haphazard attitude about the resources God has given us. We do not take time to learn or increase our potential in areas of natural talent and aptitude, because we feel that status quo is good enough.
Yet, God takes account of every little thing we do. For example, God speaks much about the tongue and its misdeeds throughout the Bible. The tongue is a very powerful thing, and yet often we speak without regard to the cost, but God keeps an account of our stewardship.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
This is the same God Who spent many passages talking about finances. Jesus Himself took much time to teach about financial stewardship. Jesus spoke more about finances than He did about hell, and yet we doubt that God cares about every idle dollar we spend. We give an account for everything we do.
If you remember, it was the man in Matthew 25 that had the least and that lost all that He had. God cares just as much about the one talent you have as He does the ten. God cares about stewardship. If God gives you little and you keep wasting little, than you will be held accountable for your waste. Every dollar counts in God’s service.
Having said that, some may take it to the extreme and say that we can’t spend money on anything fun, but God is a God of balance as well.
The Bible says that if you have enough left over to personally enjoy fruits of your labour, then absolutely, do so.
Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Ecc 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.
BUT HE ALSO SAYS,
Pro 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Pro 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
It points out that it is the wise man who saves his goods for an appropriate time and the poor man who spends it up in his lust of immediate pleasure.
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Because many people impulsively spend money that they don’t have for immediate gratification. They feel the stress of their financial situation and go out to eat, buy an outfit, or maybe even just grab a candy bar to alleviate the pressure when really they need to go to the Lord in prayer to find their peace. Yet, when you are in debt or are having trouble paying your bills it is obvious that God is not providing you with money for this form (little or big) of extravagance. It digs us into a deeper hole and hinders our spiritual growth and stewardship.
Luke 16 is the major passage we find about stewardship. We can learn much from this passage, but in regards to the topic about “God’s Purpose” I want to point out a few things.
- V10 - GOD CARES ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS.
- V11 - OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP WILL REFLECT OUR CARE OF THE MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN TO US.
- V13 - WHEN WE ARE HELD CAPTIVE BY OUR FINANCES WE CANNOT FULLY SERVE THE LORD
- V14 - COVETOUSNESS KEEPS US FROM ACCEPTING THE TRUTH
Luk 16:10 - 11 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. V11. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? V12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? V13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. V14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
SO THEN WHAT DOES A GOOD STEWARD DO WITH “HIS MONEY?”
The only confidence I have is in the word of God, therefore I will be as thorough as I can using only the Bible.
While reading these Scriptures, it becomes evident where the bulk of God’s emphasis lies. My husband says that when it comes to the Bible, people get lost by allowing their focus to be drawn where God’s focus is not. They base their life’s emphasis on one or two passages when God has many passages pointing towards other more important areas.
This is true in the area of finance. If we are honest, we spend most of our time thinking about the desires of point “5” and “6” on this list when God has very little to say about the topics, when really we should be desiring to accomplish that about which God has said the most.
A GOOD STEWARD CHECKLIST
1. Be content with what God has given. Do not strive for riches.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. V7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. V8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. V9 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. V10 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.
Pro 23:4 - 5 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. V5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Luk 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
2. Be diligent in His work rather than getting involved in “get rich quick” ideas.
Pro 28:19 - 20 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. V20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
3. Be honest in his taxes, purchases, and bill paying.
Psa 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Rom 13:7 – 8 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. V8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Pro 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
4. If the steward has more than enough for his needs, than he is to do good works and be ready to give and lend; setting up eternal riches. He is to keep in mind that his giving is to be done with cheerfulness, simplicity, discretion, and maintaining our affairs to help with necessities.
1Ti 6:17 - 19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; V18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; V19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Pro 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Psa 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Psa 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
5. Enjoy the fruit of his labor.
Ecc 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
6. Set up an inheritance for his children and children’s children.
Pro 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
GOOD WORKS
God’s purpose in finance is to meet our needs so that we can accomplish GOOD WORKS.
God’s purpose in finance is to meet our needs so that we can accomplish GOOD WORKS.
God’s purpose in finance is to meet our needs so that we can accomplish GOOD WORKS.
Oh, I know my husband is going to say something about me beating dead horses, but this is the whole conclusion of this section. So, I wanted it to be heard.
He does this to bring glory to HIS NAME and to SPREAD THE GOSPEL. In case you skimmed it before, as I sometimes do, let me put this passage up again.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. V14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
As I mentioned before, this is the heart of the whole matter. We scrimp to get by and the last thing we want to do with our tiny money is to give it away.
Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. V42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. V43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: V44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
I in no way am trying to make anyone feel guilty that they need to give away every penny they have. I need that to be very clear.
What I AM saying is that this lady’s heart was TOWARD THE THINGS OF THE LORD.
When our heart is toward the Lord and we practice good stewardship HE CAN ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS through us.
I want to bring our attention to this next passage and build line upon line, precept upon precept the truths that God has recently laid upon my heart while studying this topic. It’s a big passage, but PLEASE READ IT. PLEASE READ ALL OF IT CAREFULLY. I PLEAD WITH YOU. This whole section on GOD’S PURPOSE is ENTIRELY encompassed in these passages.
1. God prepares our hearts for good works so that we can SAVE for them. Yet, if we spend all that we have we will be left covetous having nothing to give.
2Co 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
2. Our rewards emotionally, spiritually, eternally, and financially are a direct result of our giving.
2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
3. We will only cheerfully give what we desire to give, as the example of the widow lady shows. It is a matter of the heart.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
4. If we have a desire to do good works, GOD IS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH “EVERY GOOD WORK” THROUGH YOU. Please take note of how many times the words “all” is used.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
5. God shows types of good works, the reward of righteousness and promises of provision that God gives; consistent with the righteous man in Psalm 37.
2Co 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
6. God reminds us that HE PROVIDES BOTH the means to “sow” those good works, AND the sufficiency of your daily needs, AND He makes the works fruitful; ALWAYS BRINGING THE GLORY TO HIS NAME.
2 Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
7. The point again is not our bountifulness, it is through our good works that we bring THANKSGIVING AND GLORY TO GOD.
2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
8. God points out again that it is not JUST a blessing to us or to the needy saint, but that the blessings MULTIPLY in that it encourages others to good works. This is accomplished through testimonies (thanksgivings) of God’s thorough faithfulness and sufficiency to both us and the needy.
2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
9. It is interesting that these “liberal financial distributions” were called an “experiment” because many times it is through “subjection” (obedience alone) that we grow our faith experimentally in this area of good works. It brings to mind, “Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established. Prov 16:3
2Co 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
10. The prayers of Paul and the missionaries were not for financial, material means for themselves but for the working of God’s grace within us. This is in agreement with Philippians 4.
2Co 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Php 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. V11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. V12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. V13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. V14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. V15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia
I have very little to say in conclusion but that I long to please God, and that if in my sacrifice of convenience, comfort, entertainments, and dining I am able to present an acceptable, sweet sacrifice to my God, Who is my all, if I can please Him with what little I have to offer, then I pray that not only will He be ABLE to make all grace abound toward (me); that (I), always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: I PLEAD with Him that He WILL do so.
To God Be the Glory. Amen.
Part One: We All Have Questions to Ask
Part Two: Biblical Truths In Finance
- Section One: Whose Money Is It Anyway
- We Are Only Conduits and Stewards; Not Owners
- God Is The Provider, Therefore He Makes The Rules
- God Is The Provider, And The Husband Is "The Keeper" (Manager) Of God's Provision
- A Man Has A Job Because God Made Him To Work
- If A Husband Dies Or Children Are Left Fatherless, God Is Still The Provider
- There Is No Example In The Bible That Gives Any Support For A Working Mother Outside The Home.
- God Is The Provider, Not The Government
- God Does Not Provide Through Credit
- Standing on The Promises
1 comment:
Loved the picture that came up for this article on my FB! :) Had to read it right away - doing so now - looks good! You do so great in writing thoroughly, Melissa! I am glad you are here!
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