Does God Care About Money?
Does God care about money? Really? Does He?
I mean in the great big scheme of things does He really care that much about money? Isn’t money just an ends to a means? If you want to see God’s emphasis on money, one has to look no further than His word: the Bible. Holy Scripture offers more than 2,300 verses regarding money. Look to Jesus: Jesus devoted over 15% of His recorded words to this one subject. Why did the Savior of the world say more about how we should handle money and possessions than any other single thing? What does He know about money and possessions that we don't? God expects us to use the resources He gives us to best carry out our responsibilities. "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." [1 Cor 4:2]
Money is used by God for the three T’s: as a Tool, as a Test, and as A Testimony.
• A TOOL to teach you things. If you're in deep debt, are you learning? Have you opened yourself to receive God's blessings by practicing His biblical principles and by giving to His work?
• A TEST of where your true love is centered. In Luke 16:11-13 Jesus reveals the test. He says that you cannot serve God and money. He doesn't say you shouldn't serve both or that you aren't a nice person if you do serve both. Jesus says you can't serve both money and God. Have you made your choice?
• A TESTIMONY of what is most important to you. Money can help you show the world that you are different because of God. You are not to consider yourself better, but you should be different than the world. Remember, you can't serve both God and money. It's your call.
How is God using money in your life? We'd love to hear you share!
I mean in the great big scheme of things does He really care that much about money? Isn’t money just an ends to a means? If you want to see God’s emphasis on money, one has to look no further than His word: the Bible. Holy Scripture offers more than 2,300 verses regarding money. Look to Jesus: Jesus devoted over 15% of His recorded words to this one subject. Why did the Savior of the world say more about how we should handle money and possessions than any other single thing? What does He know about money and possessions that we don't? God expects us to use the resources He gives us to best carry out our responsibilities. "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." [1 Cor 4:2]
Money is used by God for the three T’s: as a Tool, as a Test, and as A Testimony.
• A TOOL to teach you things. If you're in deep debt, are you learning? Have you opened yourself to receive God's blessings by practicing His biblical principles and by giving to His work?
• A TEST of where your true love is centered. In Luke 16:11-13 Jesus reveals the test. He says that you cannot serve God and money. He doesn't say you shouldn't serve both or that you aren't a nice person if you do serve both. Jesus says you can't serve both money and God. Have you made your choice?
• A TESTIMONY of what is most important to you. Money can help you show the world that you are different because of God. You are not to consider yourself better, but you should be different than the world. Remember, you can't serve both God and money. It's your call.
How is God using money in your life? We'd love to hear you share!
Tags: business, faith, god, money, test, testimony, tool
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ann Musico on -
Jay - I agree with everything you say 100%! I also consider it my "transport method" to bless other people, including my family and the family of God! I am very aware of what we do with our money, where we sow it and how we spend it and we try always to be good stewards. I can see those beliefs being lived out in my oldest sons already and it thrills my heart.
On another note I wanted to thank you for sending my your book - I have not had a chance to get too far into it, but from what I have read so far, it is awesome and I know I will learn a lot and it will make we think deeply and perhaps change some of the things we are doing. I'm so happy I have the opportunity to learn from you. -
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Permalink Reply by Paul Slater on -
Great question Jay,
A review of the early church prompts me to say "yes". Barnabas is a great example of someone with money in that he sold real estate to fund the church's needs at a crucial time.
By the way, I always thought it kind of God to have people sell assets and bring the proceeds to the church for this reason. Soon persecution would cause dispersion of the Christians to the uttermost parts of the world. Since they had already sold their property, they were not tied to it when the persecution came. We human types tend to get owned by our property.
Since this specific giving plan does not appear again in the New Testament, I do not see the standard to be sell all you have and give it to the church. God has asked us to be stewards and one aspect of that stewardship involves money. Seemingly Barnabas may have even had real estate holdings and the key is that God had claim to it for that specific moment in the life of the church.
Onward with purpose,
Chaplain Paul Slater
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Permalink Reply by Don McCallum on -
Yes, we need to use our money to promote the Lord's work. Sharing with people in need is very important, as someone mentioned about Barnabas. The Apostle Paul also says that the aim of sharing isn't to make you poor, but, to help bring others up out of poverty. Jesus said,"Give and you will receive" and I've found that to be true ! I've gotten money from totally unexpected sources !
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