JANUARY 23, 2011
“LEARNING TO BE CONTENT”
We are living in interesting times! The technological advances that I read and observe often leave me bewildered. I observe smart phones and I must admit that I do not even know how to answer one when it rings. I read this week of a new car that can be made invisible, this is not something for the military but a car one can buy if one has the money. I was excited a few months ago to buy a new computer console for the church. Within a few hours I realized that my old printer and several of my software programs would not operate on my new system. And of course all of this did not come cheap. The same thing happened at home as we had to upgrade in order to use Skype, which we received as a present, so we can see our daughters online. None of this is a problem, if one has unlimited money, which few of us have. We have to be wise in how we manage our money.
We are also living in troubled economic times, where many are struggling to keep their heads above water. Foreclosures and repossessions have become commonplace. Even those blessed with being retired have not been immune to the changing economic realities, as savings and investments have dwindled and shrank at an alarming rate. It might be time for the Church (all those who believe in Jesus Christ) to turn to God’s Word for help and guidance. The scriptures have much to say about handling our finances, especially with our attitudes and desires.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) “12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” We must learn to put God first and then we will find the joy that we have been promised. The question arises then how are we to live as God requires. God does provide us with principles that we should follow if we desire to enjoy life as God intended. I have made a handout of scripture references I’ve found to be helpful on how to handle money. From these scriptures and others I have come up with four principles.
The first principle is a warning about the dangers of being rich. Most of us are probably thinking well that leaves me out. But consider this information taken from a pamphlet from Crown Financial Ministries: if you made more than $1,500.00 last year you made more money than 75% of the people in this world. We may not want to believe it, but most everyone in the United States is wealthy from a third world perspective. Also consider if God considers us wealthy. This does not mean that we are without debt. It means that our standard of living is way more than the vast majority of people in this world. Now hear again from I Timothy 6:17-19 (CEV) “Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. This will lay a solid foundation for the future so that they will know what true life is like.” Jesus warned that it was harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus also warned in the parable of the Sower in Luke 8:14 (NIV) “14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” There is nothing wrong in being rich. But we must not let our riches and possessions become our main goal in life. We are in Christ and He must be first if we want to have peace, joy and contentment. If one does not feel they are content, and then consider that just possibly the Holy Spirit is seeking to get our attention. Proverbs 23:4-5 (NIV) “4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” We must seek to be like the Apostle Paul who said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”The second principle is to eliminate as much debt that we can. Why is God concerned about debt? Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) “7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:26-27 (NIV) “26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” Debt becomes a burden and someone else has a stranglehold upon us. Most businesses do not care if you lose your job, or if you had to go to the hospital. They want to be paid. Money issue’s has always been one of the problems that bring strife and turmoil to a marriage. Crown Financial Ministries in their research state that 90% of people in our culture buy things we can not afford. We let our desires out weigh our common sense. Credit cards can be a useful tool only if we pay it off each month. Otherwise the interest rates will suck you into a downward spiral. If you can’t pay it off each month then cut them up. Being completely out of debt will for most people be a lifetime goal. The bottom line at this point, is to not get any deeper into debt. We must learn new habits, which leads into the next principle.
The third principle is to save money little by little. Proverbs 13:11 (NIV) “11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” In 2006 the average American saved a negative 1.5% of their income (lower than the Great Depression). It means that the average American went in the hole even deeper. This next statistic boggles my mind. Ninety-seven % of those whose age is 65 have less than $600.00 in their checking account. We must learn to save for a rainy day. When we allow our desires to be manipulated by our culture which says we must have “things” to be happy we are allowing Satan to steal our joy which can be found only in Jesus Christ. God will provide for our needs as promised in Philippians 4:19. Also in Matthew 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (food, clothes, shelter) will be given to you as well.” In Proverbs 10:24, “What the righteous desire will be granted.” God looks after his children who do what is right.
The fourth principle is to honor God by tithing. Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV) “8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Research indicates that less than 5% of those who identify themselves as Christians tithe. A tithe is ten%. If you have never tithed then start out by giving a percentage of your income and then gradually increase it. The reality is that until we decide to put God first in this area we will not ever be freed from the tyranny of money.
God desires to bless His children. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV) “21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” May we pray to our Father and offer all of our money and assets to Him and ask for His help. Everything belongs to Him, anyway. We must control our desires and start to whittle down the debts we owe. Make a budget and seek to live by it. Begin by saving a certain amount of money each paycheck. Then honor God with your tithes and offerings and our Father will bless us.
Let us pray.
We are also living in troubled economic times, where many are struggling to keep their heads above water. Foreclosures and repossessions have become commonplace. Even those blessed with being retired have not been immune to the changing economic realities, as savings and investments have dwindled and shrank at an alarming rate. It might be time for the Church (all those who believe in Jesus Christ) to turn to God’s Word for help and guidance. The scriptures have much to say about handling our finances, especially with our attitudes and desires.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV) “12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” We must learn to put God first and then we will find the joy that we have been promised. The question arises then how are we to live as God requires. God does provide us with principles that we should follow if we desire to enjoy life as God intended. I have made a handout of scripture references I’ve found to be helpful on how to handle money. From these scriptures and others I have come up with four principles.
The first principle is a warning about the dangers of being rich. Most of us are probably thinking well that leaves me out. But consider this information taken from a pamphlet from Crown Financial Ministries: if you made more than $1,500.00 last year you made more money than 75% of the people in this world. We may not want to believe it, but most everyone in the United States is wealthy from a third world perspective. Also consider if God considers us wealthy. This does not mean that we are without debt. It means that our standard of living is way more than the vast majority of people in this world. Now hear again from I Timothy 6:17-19 (CEV) “Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have. This will lay a solid foundation for the future so that they will know what true life is like.” Jesus warned that it was harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus also warned in the parable of the Sower in Luke 8:14 (NIV) “14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” There is nothing wrong in being rich. But we must not let our riches and possessions become our main goal in life. We are in Christ and He must be first if we want to have peace, joy and contentment. If one does not feel they are content, and then consider that just possibly the Holy Spirit is seeking to get our attention. Proverbs 23:4-5 (NIV) “4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” We must seek to be like the Apostle Paul who said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”The second principle is to eliminate as much debt that we can. Why is God concerned about debt? Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) “7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:26-27 (NIV) “26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” Debt becomes a burden and someone else has a stranglehold upon us. Most businesses do not care if you lose your job, or if you had to go to the hospital. They want to be paid. Money issue’s has always been one of the problems that bring strife and turmoil to a marriage. Crown Financial Ministries in their research state that 90% of people in our culture buy things we can not afford. We let our desires out weigh our common sense. Credit cards can be a useful tool only if we pay it off each month. Otherwise the interest rates will suck you into a downward spiral. If you can’t pay it off each month then cut them up. Being completely out of debt will for most people be a lifetime goal. The bottom line at this point, is to not get any deeper into debt. We must learn new habits, which leads into the next principle.
The third principle is to save money little by little. Proverbs 13:11 (NIV) “11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” In 2006 the average American saved a negative 1.5% of their income (lower than the Great Depression). It means that the average American went in the hole even deeper. This next statistic boggles my mind. Ninety-seven % of those whose age is 65 have less than $600.00 in their checking account. We must learn to save for a rainy day. When we allow our desires to be manipulated by our culture which says we must have “things” to be happy we are allowing Satan to steal our joy which can be found only in Jesus Christ. God will provide for our needs as promised in Philippians 4:19. Also in Matthew 6:33 “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (food, clothes, shelter) will be given to you as well.” In Proverbs 10:24, “What the righteous desire will be granted.” God looks after his children who do what is right.
The fourth principle is to honor God by tithing. Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV) “8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Research indicates that less than 5% of those who identify themselves as Christians tithe. A tithe is ten%. If you have never tithed then start out by giving a percentage of your income and then gradually increase it. The reality is that until we decide to put God first in this area we will not ever be freed from the tyranny of money.
God desires to bless His children. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV) “21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” May we pray to our Father and offer all of our money and assets to Him and ask for His help. Everything belongs to Him, anyway. We must control our desires and start to whittle down the debts we owe. Make a budget and seek to live by it. Begin by saving a certain amount of money each paycheck. Then honor God with your tithes and offerings and our Father will bless us.
Let us pray.
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