Did you know that the bible talks more about money then of faith and prayer both combined? In God's Word we see money as being closely linked to salvation. Some of the biblical examples are John the Baptist in Luke 3:10-14 , the story of Zacheus, the rich young man who sought the answer of how he could inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17-25), Ananias and Sapphira who's tragic deaths were all because of keeping what they owed to God (Acts 5), and the poor widow who gave all that she had (Luke 21:4). To tie these illustrations in one bouqet, lets examine what Jesus and some others say about all this money talk. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 (emphasis added)
Paul writes to Timothy: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10 emphasis added)
Well then what happens to those that do fall for the glitz and the glam of money? Fortunately the bible doesn't fail to warn us extensively about this topic as well.
Recall Gehazi's greed and his punishment (2 Kings 5). Despite Solomon's wisdom, we see how his riches and foreign wives bring in many gods and rituals, which have an influence on Solomon and thereby lead him away from serving God. Finally, there is Jude who betrayed Jesus for money, but later hangs himself. The personal conclusion that you could come to is that God will never let a person die happy and satisfied if that person traded God for money.
As God's followers we are called to glorify God in every aspect of our life's. As we look upon the almighty greatness and beauty of God, we cannnot but look in awe with praise bursting out of our lips! The beauty of Lake Tahoe, the magnificense of the California forests, the grandeur of Half Dome in Yosemite Park this all makes us exclaim in wonder and call our family and friends over to where we are standing to see the beauty we had discovered. This is the reaction of looking upon our Lord and knowing that I myself am happy and this happiness is radiating in my life and the purpose for which I am living here on earth. Our purpose in life is evident here: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him Colossians 1:16 (emphasis added) God created us for His glory and our purpose is none other than to glorify Him.
How does glorifying God relate to money? Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45,46
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45,46
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 6
In the way that I translate this, is that when we find Jesus, he is so precious to us, that we are ready to give away/rid ourselves of anything in order to have Him glorified. Therefore the happiness of God radiates through us for His glory.
God is our Creator, therefore He gave us the abilities to work and make money that belongs to Him. But how much of God's money do we leave to ourselves?
Deutoronomy 10:14, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 50:10, Job 41:11 has all but one answer: ALL belongs to God.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28 (I earn to give).
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (God is blessing me so that I in turn will bless others.)
Then comes up the question of tithing. But isn't this all that God wants us to give and the rest is ours?
From Leviticus 27:30, Deutoronomy 14:22, Proverbs 3:9, and Malachi 3:10, we can conclude that tithing is a standard, but not evidence of spirituality. Lets look at a different picture and you judge for yourselves. Leviticus 22:18, Numbers 15:3, and Exodus 36 show us the people who voluntarily gave above and beyond the tithe. David prays: But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chronicles 29:14
Acts 4:32-35 is a beautiful illustration of a church who lacked in nothing, but gave wholeheartedly. Therefore we cannot but say that it all comes down to the condition of our heart. If we are pure in heart, mind, and soul, it will inevitably show in how we give of our earnings. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 19:21
Consider these two accounts.
King Tut a boy who died at a young age. History books are full of evidence of the enormous wealth and riches that he posessed. When archeologists opened his grave, it was laiden in gold with chariots to transport the dead to the next life. You see the Egyptians had a belief that those chariots and gold could transport them into the next world or life.
William Borden was an aspiring missionary and a passionate follower of Christ who had all the fortunes in the world, but he chose to travel to do missionary work amidst Muslims. He stopped in Egypt hoping to learn Arabic there and move on to China. Tragically, he contracted spinal meningitis and died a short week later. On his tombstone was this inscription: "Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life"http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/regret.htm.
Let me close with this quote from Randy Alcorn. "Materialism results from a failure to realize that we were made for only one person (Jesus) and one place (heaven). Those of us who know Christ will one day be with him in heaven. Until then, nothing else can satisfy us."
This content was in no way put together by me. This is a short summary and translation of the six lessons that our church youth recieved from our youth leader Roman T. at our summer camp.
