“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions… Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes… But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Lk 12:15, 22, 23, 31)
The topic of money is very important to God. Jesus speaks a lot about money and wealth in general. The god of money, Mammon, is a direct enemy to the worship of God. The Bible offers clear principle for money management. It is our duty to read, study, meditate and apply these principles. Our success in life, our testimony as believers depends on how well we manage money. No school of economics is good enough for a born again believer. The necessary wisdom is found in the Word!
*Covetousness, greed, these are sins. Jesus says that we should watch out for their entrance in the heart. We should be on guard at the door of the soul. Covetousness is a peculiar sin, for it is very deceptive. It is forbidden by the Ten Commandments.
Covetousness is defined as the desire to have more that we need; the desire to have what belongs to another and to use any means to get that (illegal power, intimidation, deception, arguments or even force).
Covetousness is hard to detect because money is a moving target. I may not start with greed, but the seed of it can be planted along the way, as wealth and the desire for personal comfort slowly increases. We have to pray, from time to time: ’Lord, am I getting greedy?’ The Holy Spirit who searched all things will bring light unto our understanding. The only way to fight crippling materialism is to give more money away, not to hoard them. There was a man who said that he was always worried he will lose his expensive clothes; that thieves will break in and steal them all. Then one day, led by the Spirit, he gave them away to some poor neighbors. Immediately he sensed a new joy, a freedom he did not expect. No more fear of losing, after you have lost!
*Unrepentant covetousness becomes anxiety and worry. The Lord Jesus has only one solution concerning the sin of worry: ‘Stop it! Do not do it!’ If you continue to worry after reading the Word of God, it means that you doubt it! Worry and doubt are twins. What is the solution? How can I be free from worry concerning my life, my finances, my children…?
The first thing to remember is God. He gave His Son for me to save my soul. He will surely give me food and clothes for the needs of my body! The second thing to remember is that God has placed an infinite value upon my soul. I am more expensive than the birds of the air. God feeds the birds, therefore He will feed me. My value does not depend on my performance in the office. It is God who tells my boss to pay me! I am created for beauty and glory! I should not lower God’s standard concerning the value of my person. I am God’s property! He will take care of His own!
*My money belongs to God. My time, my energy, my gifts, my family and all I have, these all belong to God. My money is not my money. He has made me a steward over the money in my account. This should bring great relief to me, that my money is not my own. It should also bring great fear of God for the awesome responsibility give to me. God monitors my spending. He rewards and chastises according to my investments. I should invest in Kingdom projects. I should tithe faithfully and should trust God for Hid Word of blessings. I should bring generous offerings to the church. I should help the brethren. The reason why we are not more generous with our giving is because of fear. We are afraid of poverty. We are afraid that God has forgotten about us.
*Money reveals the heart. My shopping list says much about the type of person I am. My treasure is where my wealth is. The way I spend my money is a sign: I am a fool or not!
*Money reveals the level of spiritual maturity. Children cannot be trusted with money and that is why do not give it to them.
Finally, it is God’s will to bless you, to make your life a blessing! You should indeed prosper in all things, spiritually and materially. The reason is so that we can invest in the Kingdom of God. Ministry needs anointing but it also needs money, to spread the Gospel of Christ. We cannot do ministry without the generous support of brethren whom God has blessed financially. In this, we share in the reward. God will also bless you so that you can bless others who are in need, so that thru the ministry of helps, Christ is revealed.
‘Father, You are so generous with me, so good always! Make me like You! In Jesus name I pray, amen!”
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