What
does the Bible say about
Finances?
If we are having
problems in the area of our finances, we need to examine God's Word as
to what He says about finances and then line up with that Word. Are we
handling our money wisely? True wisdom comes from God and
the Bible has
revelation about money problems as well as our other problems.
So many people
in our day are having financial problems. Even wealthy men are concerned
they will lose their riches because of inflation and the worth of the dollar
dropping daily. Stock markets around the world have been unstable. People
are contemplating bankruptcy and even suicide due to such heavy money pressures.
Many marriages are also under
extreme stress
and divorce has risen due to unresolved financial difficulties.
Is there an
answer to all the money problems? Yes, the Bible has the answer to this
problem as well as all others that face mankind. Briefly, we are going
to write down a basic financial check list based on the Word of God. On
this list we are going to look at some things that can block our financial
blessings. As Christians, we are promised the blessings of God, not the
curses of the devil. The promise of prosperity and blessing belongs to
us, not the curse of poverty and fear. Galatians 3:13-14 says, "Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the
blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that
we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Genesis 17:1-7
says, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared
to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and
be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will
multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with
him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt
be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called
Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have
I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations
of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant
between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations
for an everlasting
covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."
From these
Scriptures we see we receive the same blessings as Abraham because we are
his seed. Therefore, our first step is to become a child of God, thus the
seed of Abraham and God. Then, Matthew 6:31-33 applies to us. "Therefore
take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or,
Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you." We must give our lives totally
to God and seek His righteousness, then all the things that the Gentiles
(those in the world) are seeking will be added to us.
What are the
things that those in the world are seeking? Clothes, houses, food, etc.
A total commitment
to God is the very first step to financial blessings. However, there are
many Christians who still have not gained the victory in finances due to
other principles in God's Word that have been ignored. Let's ask ourselves
some questions that will bring us financial freedom if we are agreeing
with the Word of God in these matters.
A FINANCIAL
CHECK LIST
1. Are we giving
at least 10% to the work of God which is the tithe? (If not, we are using
God's money, and robbing Him.) Malachi 3:10: "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." Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone."
2. Are we giving
our tithe to the ministry where we are being fed? (Offerings, above the
tithe, may be given to the poor, good works, etc. however, our tithe should
go to the spreading of the gospel. Additional offerings also should be
given to the church and it's five-fold ministries as listed in Ephesians
4:11; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.) 2 Corinthians
9:6-8: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,
or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 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."
3. Are we giving
to God first, before paying other bills? Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honour the Lord
with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So
shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine."
4. Are we indifferent
to the needs of the poor? Proverbs 28:27: "He that giveth unto the poor
shall not lack: but
he that hideth
his eyes shall have many a curse."
5. Are we going
in debt for lustful things? Wants, instead of needs? 1 Timothy 6:6-10:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content."
6. Are we planning
and budgeting our financial spending? Luke 14:28-30: "For which of you,
intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost,
whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid
the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin
to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."
7. Are we lazy
or slothful on the job(a day's work for a day's pay)? Ecclesiastes 9:10:
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is
no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou
goest."
Proverbs 21:25
"The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."
8. Are we too
generous in giving to others without paying our own bills? Do we spend
for lustful wants while making our creditors wait for their money? Proverbs
3:27-28: "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in
the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come
again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."
9. Are we being
wasteful? John 6:12: "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples,
Gather up the
fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
10. Have we
committed all our money and material things to God? Luke 12:34: "For where
your treasure is,
there will
your heart be also."
11. Do we need
the things we buy or are they luxuries? Proverbs 21:17: "He that loveth
pleasure shall be a
poor man: he
that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."
12. Are we
selfish in our families, spending more on our own desires? 1 Corinthians
10:24 "Let no man seek his own,
but every man
another's wealth."
13. Are we
willing to sell or give away anything that God would tell us to? (Make
sure you hear God's voice when giving or selling all, as this is a major
step and God does not require this of you unless you absolutely understand
what His plan is for your life; however, we must all be willing.) Matthew
19:21-22: "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that
thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went
away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."
14. Have we
paid our debts or made arrangements to do so when we are having difficulties?
Romans 13:8: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that
loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
15. Have we
been sowing money into the kingdom of God? We reap in proportion to what
we have sown (a little or a lot). Luke 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."
16. Have we
done our spiritual homework in fasting & prayer over our finances?
Isaiah 58:6 & 9: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed
go free, and that ye break every yoke? Then shalt thou call, and the Lord
shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take
away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger,
and speaking vanity"
17. Have we
been hard on people who owe us money, demanding payment with no mercy?
Luke 6:34-36: "And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what
thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;
and your reward shall be great, and ye
shall be the
children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the
evil."
18. Are there
other areas that could be blocking our finances such as any unforgiveness,
disobedience, stubbornness, etc.? Matthew 6:14-15: "For if ye forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye
forgive
not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
19. Are we
spending our money foolishly or are we being wise? Proverbs 24:3-4: "Through
wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And
by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant
riches."
20. Are we
totally committed and thankful to God, no matter what is happening? This
does not mean we are to praise God for bad things as He does not send bad
things in our lives as His children. It means we are to be thankful and
praise God in the midst of all of our problems as He desires to show us
the way out of our troubles. We praise God "in" the trouble, not "for"
the trouble. Psalm 34:1: "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise
shall continually be in my mouth." Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all
men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
21. Do we lack
faith in God as our total source? Psalm 121:1-2: "I will lift up mine eyes
unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth." Romans 14:23: "---for whatsoever is not of
faith is sin."
22. Are we
hoarding things through fear or greed? Luke 12:19-21: "And I will say to
my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine
ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this
night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things
be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God." This is different from preparing for the future
by saving and storing at God's direction. Proverbs 30:24-25: "There be
four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
The ants are a people not strong,
yet they prepare
their meat in the summer."
23. Are we
seeking financial blessing instead of seeking God and His will? (Wanting
God's benefits, but not God's ways.) Matthew 15:8: "This people draweth
nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their
heart is far from me."
24. Are we
giving excessively to God's work in an attempt to ease our guilt, yet are
not paying our bills? Although not many are guilty of this sin we felt
we should deal with it as the devil tempts us to go to one extreme or the
other. If we are giving too much and not paying our bills it would be wise
for us just to give a tithe for awhile until the Lord showed us how to
pay our debts. Giving 50% to God and not paying our bills is not in harmony
with the Scriptures. "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for
he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). The Lord
wants us out of debt, then we will be able to give more to His Kingdom.
Some Christians go to the other extreme and say when they are out of debt,
then they will give. The devil sees to it they never are out of debt. We
must always put God first in our finances, then He will show us the way
out of debt.
These are some
of the major reasons we fail financially. We may have been ignorant about
some of these things until now. The Bible says in Hosea 4:6a: "My people
are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Many Christians are being destroyed
financially either because they are ignorant of God's knowledge or they
refuse to adhere to it. Don't be destroyed in this area of your life. Simply
repent of past failures and ask God to give you the grace and strength
to obey Him and do those things that His Word outlines. You can be an overcomer
and walk in victory. Remember to give God some time. If you have been doing
it the world's way
a number of
years, you must now give God an opportunity to prove Himself faithful.
Malachi 3:10
says to "prove Him". "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."
Galatians 6:9
promises we shall reap what we sow. Just as a farmer plants a crop and
then there is a growing season before the harvest, so it is with planting
God's Word in our hearts. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in
due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Don't faint! Ask God for the
strength to overcome. We are overcomers in Christ!
Remember, we
are stewards of all that we own and we must give an account to God for
it. A steward is someone who takes care of another's property. Psalm 24:1:
"The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof;the world, and they that
dwell therein." Romans 14:12 says, "So then every one of us shall give
account of himself to God."
If we want
to be pleasing to the Lord with our money, we must begin today to be faithful
in the small amounts; only then will we be faithful in the larger amounts
God will entrust us with as we obey Him. How wonderful it will be to then
hear the Lord's commendation recorded in Matthew 25:21, "His lord said
unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord."
Some are heaping
treasures together in these last days while ignoring God and they will
find such treasures are worthless. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl
for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted,
and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and
the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh
as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days" (James
5:1-3).
Money cannot
save us from the tribulation of these last days; only our trust and faith
in God will see us through.
One rule we
should follow when considering giving is to never give under extreme emotional
persuasion. Many fleshly ministries use not only drastic emotional appeals,
but also many other gimmicks to influence people to give to their ministries.
Many people have given under this kind of pressure and later have found
that it was not the Lord. Others have made pledges under the same influence
and then have found they were unable to keep them. Any minister that would
threaten people with the wrath of God should they fail to keep their pledge
is definitely not under the Holy Spirit's leadership.
Pledges are
very similar to vows or oaths unto God, and we are told not to swear in
the New Testament. "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither
by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your
yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation" (James 5:12).
We can desire to do certain things and tell the Lord that we want to be
able to do them, but we should not promise God or make a vow that we will
do them because Satan will condemn us if we should fail. This is not only
true in the area of giving money, but also in other areas of our lives.
We can make commitments to God, but not vows.
We should ask
God who is worthy to receive the things He would have us bring as an offering
unto Him. True ministers of God will receive offerings as unto the Lord
as they will make their needs known however, they will not spend half their
time begging, pleading, threatening or coercing people to give. Those ministers
who are walking in faith know that God is their source and they do not
look to people. God touches people's hearts to give when a minister is
trusting God for his needs.
When we give
unto the Lord, it should be with a cheerful attitude. If we give generously,
the Lord blesses us in the same way. However, God's blessings don't come
back only monetarily, but in the form of our needs when we are trusting
Him.
"But this I
say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as
he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver. 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: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath
given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 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;) Being enriched
in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving
to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want
of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God" (2
Corinthians 9:6-12).
Sowing and
reaping is a very important principle in the Word of God. We must sow (plant)
money into God's works if we expect to receive a harvest. The Lord gives
us money for two purposes. We must have money for a living and to eat,
plus money for giving. "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from
heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it
bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater" (Isaiah 55:10).
God expects
us to keep money for bread, as well as seed for sowing. Those Christians
who give it all away and then expect God to take care of them are violating
this principle of keeping bread to eat. (Farmers kept grain to grind into
flour for bread making, as well as some grain for seed to plant the next
crop.) Some people give all their seed away and have nothing to eat, while
others wrongly eat all their seed and have nothing to plant for the next
harvest. We should have seed for both purposes.
After we plant
a crop we expect a harvest; even so we should expect God to meet our financial
needs when we have been obedient and have given of our tithes and offerings.
"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" (Luke 6:38).
Our giving
should also be to help our brothers and sisters whenever the Lord so directs.
We must learn how to give by the Spirit's direction and not allow our emotions
or sympathy to rule us. Until we have had these soulish areas renewed,
we can still be influenced by Satan through them. God is not always sympathetic
with seemingly good causes. We should not give mechanically to things because
it has been our pattern in times past, but we should remain open to the
Lord's direction for our giving as with all guidance. Sometimes the Lord
may speak that we are not to give to a certain person or ministry. We need
to be just as sensitive to the Lord's restraining voice as to His condoning
voice. He may want us to give elsewhere.
If we are truly
walking in the Spirit, we will always have the desire to give because it
is the nature of God to give. Greed and stinginess are from Satan. If we
are truly committed to God, giving will not be a burden, but rather a joy.
God is calling us to be committed to the point where if He told us to leave
all and follow Him, we would not hesitate. We find a rich man in the Bible
that could not make this commitment, and he ultimately missed God's blessings
for his life. Let us be faithful in the area of giving and we shall never
lack in the things we really need as that is God's promise to us.
This article
is taken from the book Pathway Into The Overcoming Life by Betty Miller.
You may copy and circulate it freely.
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