As Christians, what should we do with our money?

[CFrancis]

Money is a central issue and an issue that Jesus has a lot to say about.

We live in a world where prosperity and materialism is actively encouraged. What is particularly shocking is that many self professed Christians join this bandwagon and use Christ and Christianity to justify their greed, despite the irrefutable words of Jesus.

Some things Jesus says about money:
In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33/Matt 19:21))
'Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22)
You cannot serve both God and money (Matt 6:24/Luke 16:13)
“Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

He also instructs us not to build up treaure on earth and poses the sobering question, 'what will it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your very soul?'. There is of course Paul's words in Timothy that deserve a mention due their intrinsic truth - 'the love of money is the root of all evil'.
http://biblehub.com/greek/3126.htm
I'd be interested to hear peoples views on this subject, and what they believe Christ means when he speaks such words. If we want to be followers of Christ, what should we do with our money?

 

[Pegasus]

Money is a central issue and an issue that Jesus has a lot to say about.

We live in a world where prosperity and materialism is actively encouraged. What is particularly shocking is that many self professed Christians join this bandwagon and use Christ and Christianity to justify their greed, despite the irrefutable words of Jesus.

Some things Jesus says about money:
In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33/Matt 19:21))
'Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22)
You cannot serve both God and money (Matt 6:24/Luke 16:13)
“Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

He also instructs us not to build up treaure on earth and poses the sobering question, 'what will it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your very soul?'. There is of course Paul's words in Timothy that deserve a mention due their intrinsic truth - 'the love of money is the root of all evil'.
I'd be interested to hear peoples views on this subject, and what they believe Christ means when he speaks such words. If we want to be followers of Christ, what should we do with our money?

You do hit the high notes although we should put each passage in context.

For example, I am married with children and responsible before God to ensure they are provided for. This does not mean provide within the context of materialism or consumerism. I am also responsible to provide for them when I die. I am also responsible to provide for my parents in their older years and brothers and sisters if they are in need. Now that is blood relations. We are also called to help our Church brethren who are in need and then those outside the church in need.

You could drive a huge ship through what I just wrote above, and I believe that is the issue you want to get at.

However, it is true....We cannot serve money and God. If we keep our focus on the basic needs of others in our family, church and community, we have enough "targets" for our money. Not only our money but time and other resources. I know plenty of Christians who live paycheck to paycheck, but don't have money to donate. But they donate time and minister directly to the sick, infirm and elderly.

Hope this helps continue this most important conversation.

 

[reba]

Parable of the Talents

 

[Eugene]

.
Dear Brother CFrancis,
If you’re asking as the rich young ruler what must you do to get to heaven, or as it is said in Luk 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Of course that without believing on Christ, and there is always something lacking. Only Jesus ever satisfied the qualifications in giving all, and keeping all the commandments.

 

[JohnDB]

Matthew 15
3
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4
For God said, `Honor your father and mother' [1] and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' [2]
5
But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, `Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,'
6
he is not to `honor his father [3] ' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
**************************

Ok.
Kids were supposed to help their parents especially their widowed mothers. There was no Social Security. But some kids were giving the portions of their income which should have gone to their parents to God and thinking that God would be pleased with them.
Guess what?

 

[Jim Parker]

You do hit the high notes although we should put each passage in context.

For example, I am married with children and responsible before God to ensure they are provided for. This does not mean provide within the context of materialism or consumerism. I am also responsible to provide for them when I die. I am also responsible to provide for my parents in their older years and brothers and sisters if they are in need. Now that is blood relations. We are also called to help our Church brethren who are in need and then those outside the church in need.

You could drive a huge ship through what I just wrote above, and I believe that is the issue you want to get at.

However, it is true....We cannot serve money and God. If we keep our focus on the basic needs of others in our family, church and community, we have enough "targets" for our money. Not only our money but time and other resources. I know plenty of Christians who live paycheck to paycheck, but don't have money to donate. But they donate time and minister directly to the sick, infirm and elderly.

Hope this helps continue this most important conversation.

Gut gezacht!


iakov the fool

 

[CFrancis]

You do hit the high notes although we should put each passage in context.

For example, I am married with children and responsible before God to ensure they are provided for. This does not mean provide within the context of materialism or consumerism. I am also responsible to provide for them when I die. I am also responsible to provide for my parents in their older years and brothers and sisters if they are in need. Now that is blood relations. We are also called to help our Church brethren who are in need and then those outside the church in need.

You could drive a huge ship through what I just wrote above, and I believe that is the issue you want to get at.

However, it is true....We cannot serve money and God. If we keep our focus on the basic needs of others in our family, church and community, we have enough "targets" for our money. Not only our money but time and other resources. I know plenty of Christians who live paycheck to paycheck, but don't have money to donate. But they donate time and minister directly to the sick, infirm and elderly.

Hope this helps continue this most important conversation.

Thank you Pegasus, for your reply.

I appreciated you sharing your thoughts, which seem like genuine questions and highlight wrestles I believe we all must have from tie to time.

My main thought that stems from what you wrote, is that we are tested and refined when we give up our all for God (wealth, status, familes etc), which, if we are sincere in wanting to serve God, can be given back in equal if not greater measure. The important thind though is to give it all up for God, not for any thought of return (we can't double bluff God!).

Another question that comes up fro what you wrote is, do we believe that God can and will look after our children, our families and take care of our basic needs if we seek to love and serve him (Matthew 6 comes to mind i.e. 'seek first the kingdom of God and all else will be provided'. It is often said that our primary responsibility is to our families, but Jesus actually challenged that (in verses like Luke 12:44, forsake all if you want to be my disciple, and Luke 8:21, that our true families are those who hear the word of God and obey it). I think Jesus was trying to show us that our primary responsibility is to God, and then to others, but if we have the first part right and literally put God first, then he can work out the rest according to His wisdom, which will always provide the best hope for all concerned, for after all, God is love.

I think the thought you shared about keeping our eyes fixed on the basic needs of those around us is key, and especially with regards to time and care. It's good to remember that God doesn't need our money. I think what He really wants is our life, and that isn't to make things difficult for us, but to show us the freedom of the kingdom of heaven which I think is best experienced when we are free from the belief that we need money to survive, or that we are dependant on the 'system'. Our true dependancy shoud be on God (think of the Israelites in the wilderness, being fed directly with manna from heaven!).

I do appreciate that these ideas are very challenging however, as we have been so conditioned to believe in our reliance on the economic system and think that if we turn away from these notions of social responsibility, we are being unloving (i.e to our children/families etc). It is good to consider, though, that turning to God is the most loving things we can do. Jesus did say that his true followers would suffer persecution, and you can see why! Very few people are willing to do this i.e. take his teachings at face value and like a little child follow his footsteps, but when someone does take such steps, in faith, it revolutionises our own mindset and sends ripples out in our sphere of influence about what it means to follow God and that freedom is possible (with God all things are possible!).

I'd be happy to hear any more thoughts you may have on this topic, if you feel inspired to share.

God bless, Clare

 

[Winnie]

Sorry, I will edit this at another time.

 

[atpollard]

Parable of the Talents

What I always liked best about the Parable of the Talents is that HOW MUCH God gave them to start with and HOW MUCH they had, or did not have made no difference to 'the master' (God). The question and yardstick for each was 'were you faithful with what you were given?' ...

Matthew 25:20-23
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ [NKJV]

... and the response of God towards those faithful with MUCH and those faithful with LITTLE was EXACTLY THE SAME!!!

Had the man given one 'talent' according to his 'ability' been faithful with that one talent, he would have received the same praise from the master as the man who was faithful with the five talents.


I am reminded of a whole different attitude towards giving and receiving and having and needing found in Phillipians 4:10-20

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[fn] who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. [NKJV]

 

[Jim Parker]

If we want to be followers of Christ, what should we do with our money?

You should send it to ME!

iakov the fool 2

 

[Kidron]

How to be wise with your money?

Realize that you, as a born again believer, are a steward and an heir but not an owner.
This is because God owns YOU, as you are " bought with a price".
Birth, establishes a "user license" for all living things to occupy and partake of all that God created.
"New birth" establishes much more for the believer, as this has restored you to a "joint heir" position with Jesus Himself.
However God is the owner of it ALL.....based on His "Creator status".
He owns you and all your stuff.
You dont own any of it, NOTHING, you just get to partake of what is actually all His, while you are still breathing.
So, what you do with your stuff (money, life, family, time, etc ) should be principally based on the understanding that all your stuff belongs to Him and how you use it regarding your behavior, should represent that you understand this fact.
Spend your money, time, life, as if its all God's personal property that you are spending-using-partaking of....and thats because its the truth.
It IS all His, so, behave accordingly and with appreciation due Him regarding everything He owns that you are allowed to use.

 

[chessman]

In today's dollars, Charles Spurgeon stewarded more than 26 million dollars of his income to various church buildings, orphanages and other social charities.

http://center.spurgeon.org/2016/10/11/4-reasons-spurgeon-died-poor/#more-941

 

[Edward]

Parable of the Talents

Come right to the point why dontcha?! lol...

 

[reba]

Helps keep me out of trouble just a little

 

[jasonc]

Helps keep me out of trouble just a little

lol

 

[Edward]

Well everything belongs to the Lord. Even your paycheck that you worked for. I know deep down inside that my paycheck is a talent. I'm terrible at managing money, but it seems to help me to keep the perspective, that this is the Lords money. It's not mine. So I worked for it, so what. It was the Lord that let me wake up this morning and have another day. So there's no mistake, it is His money.

I also realize that the Lord provides for me. I know I can eat the showbread if I need to. I can spend His money on food also. and rent and all those condiments of life. I seem to be eating better since I began spending the Lords money on my food. Not in a manipulation or taking advantage of anything, but more like, the Lord knows that I need to eat, and I don't think that He would have me to eat the cheapest which would be the worst food either.

But I don't go overboard with it either. I don't eat steak everyday. Maybe twice a month. That's reasonable I think.

I've often wondered if one gave away all that he had, like scripture says...what would happen. I know what would happen, one would get windfalls in return. People helping people. But then what would happen if one gave that away too? More windfalls, you can't out-give God. I heard a man's testimony once, where God had given him, a house, a car, a mobile home, and a boat, real quick, like, they all came within a short period of time, about six months IIRC. It was blowing his mind, and his wife's too. He fixed the house all up, and made many improvements, and he was done with it and the place looked great. He was in the finishing touches stage of house improvements, and being in a state of awe, and thankfulness for how fast God made all this happen in his life, and right when he needed it...that he felt compelled to give thanks for what the Lord had given him, so he went to prayer and thanked and praised God for all of His gifts.

While He was praying, he was thinking about how he was finishing up the house, and spoke the question to God, what now Lord? I'm pretty much done, so now what?....and He said it was unmistakably the Lord which answered Him and said ok, now I want you to give it all away...

And his jaw about hit the floor. All the work that he put into that house went through his mind, but on the other hand, this was the Lord God telling him to give it away, so he said, yes sir and gave it all away within 3 days.

He had another house and all that stuff back again within a year. It was a lesson in giving. Don't get too attached to anything of this world. Be ready to give it away.