Let's Talk About Money

No matter where we are in our lives, money is brought up. We hear about how people must work to earn it, then tithe it, save it, and spend it on things we need to survive. However, many people are now in a frenzy to hold to the money they have to their name. We hear financial experts mention the do's and don'ts when it comes to money. News stations are clouded with reports about how spending was up one month and down the next month. We also hear about consumer confidence being at a high and then falling to a low. We hear ordinary people talk about how they save money when it comes to paying bills, paying for groceries, and other necessities to run a household. However, we fail to ask God or consult His world when this sensitive subject is brought up. So, my purpose for this new note is explain how God wants us to use money and how we should never worry about it. When God is in charge of everything, circumstances can be avoided and blessings can do their work.

First, let's take a deep and hard look at our society. Our culture is inundated with every new money-making strategy that one could think of. The more we consume of something, it becomes a part of our daily routine. However, Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that we may have freedom to do what we please, it's not always beneficial. Looking at things such as this and how celebrities splurge their money creates a sense of urgency to earn money and spend it quickly. God's commandments on finances are ignored.

First, let's look at Deuteronomy 28. Many of us are familiar with the chapter which talks about the rewards of being obedient to God's voice. If we are obedient we shall never be in want. Our storehouses will be full and shall overflow. Those who plot against you shall fail. People will see God's protection and providence on your life. Knowing that God's hand is on you, will let people know not to harm you in any way. Your labor will not go unnoticed or go unrewarded. However, the consequences to disobedience take up the majority of the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy. We we disobey God and don't want Him, many perils will overtake us. Many avoidable hardships will come and one could be lost to the ways of the world. However, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to give us life as is mentioned in John 10:10. So, this is a lesson in how God rewards His children. The next point will be in how not to be led away by riches and what trusting in God can do.

The book of Proverbs mentions alot of verses concerning one's finances. I'm going to take many passages from the book of Proverbs so God's goodness can be revealed. In Proverbs 10:4-5 it is mentioned how important is to work for your money, save it, and not to be lazy. Verse 22 also mentions how God's blessings never add any heartache since God is a loving and caring Father. Proverbs 11:4 mentions how money can't save us from every trouble that may come our way. However, the latter half of the verse mentions how righteousness or being in right standing with God saves us in everything. Verses 17, 18,24, 25, 26, and 28 talk about greed and generosity. If one is greedy, they will be lead to poverty. However, if one is generous, that person will increase and never be barren.

Chapter 13:25 says that those in right relations with God will be satisfied internally and externally. The wicked will always be in want trying to fill up a hole where one God's love can fill. Chapter 14:26 says that loving God is the secret to confidence and peace. Chatper 15:16 says that the little we have should be appreciated. If the little we have is earned honestly, it is better than what was illegally gained. That explains what in some of the mafia movies that the don always had bodyguards with him because of fear. Chapter 16:16 talks about how wisdom is better that money. Without wisdom, one can't function. If one has money without wisdom, the money will be improperly spent and gone. Verse 20:22 says wait on Him. Patience ties in with our faith. When we wait on Him for deliverance, we appreciate the process of being tried and seeing God's power and grace move obstacles that we thought were hard to overcome. Chapter 21:5 says those who are diligent will never lack as opposed to those who are impatient and live as if the next second is not promised to them. For those of you who are blessed, remember that God made you as well as the poor as is mentioned in Proverbs 22:2. Lastly, don't spend all day figuring out how to gain money in excess as is mentioned in Proverbs 23:5. Another point is what to do when you are paid and your bills take up your entire paycheck.I thought the last sentence in the prior paragraph would get someone's attention. The beginning of Malachi 3 talks about Jesus being sent to make us clean. As we skim the chapter further, we see in verses 8-12. The Father blesses us to work and earn a paycheck. If we don't pay our tithes, we are denying that God has blessed us to earn a wage. When we do tithe, we shall not lack but God will be able to see us sowing financial seeds into His kingdom. Doing so allows Him to bless us and not to be in lack. Matthew 6 mentions how not to put faith on earthly treasures that can be robbed and destroyed as time progresses. In verse 24, Jesus says that we shouldn't try to please our bank accounts and God at the same time. One master will be pleased and another will be angry.We should pay our taxes as Jesus mentioned while being tested by the evil Pharisees in Matthew 22:21. Even when dealing with money in church, Jesus noticed how the Pharisees gave large sums of money. Jesus also noticed how a money faithfully gave the last dollar to her name. God doesn't want us to give grudgingly since He gives to give to us our His tender mercy and consuming love as is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9. Also, giving into God's kingdom helps His wins souls when the needs of the church are met.

There may be times where we feel as if things look impossible when faced with trials. Philippians 4 says God will meet our needs since we our in right standing with Him because of the sacrifice of God's Son. Losing a child is painful for any parent, but Jesus' death and resurrection were part of God's master plan. While in God, Satan can't touch us. As long as God is in charge of everything, we will never lack, be heartbroken, or forsaken even when we have one dollar to our names. Remember that everyone.