Few people see the Bible as a financial guidebook but the Scripture is full of spiritual and practical advice. Here are the top three lessons where the Bible differs from all other financial advice.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
So let me ask you, whom are you serving?
Are you serving your husband, your wife, your children, your boss, your family, your neighbour or others in your church? If so, don’t begrudge this as a burden. You are actually blessed. These are opportunities for you to grow and experience the joy and satisfaction of life. Jesus himself said that he did not come to be served but to serve. He fulfilled His purpose on earth in the same way. In fact, when asked who was the greatest among the disciples, Jesus made it clear that was the one who serves.
So today, thank God for all those you are called upon to serve. They are giving you the privilege of being filled to the full measure of Christ. Show appreciation for them. Thank God for them, and serve your heart out. In the end, you will experience true self-fulfilment and the rewards of a life well lived.
Lesson One: MONEY IS NOT YOUR MASTER
Cash is not king. Becoming a millionaire is not an appropriate life purpose. The Bible makes a clear distinction in Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Serving money means we allow it to control our decisions, our direction, even our life purpose. As Christians, we must not allow money to usurp God’s leading and control our daily decisions.
Lesson Two: WE DO NOT OWN ANYTHING
We are not owners of anything; we are temporary trustees of God’s property.
Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” This changes our purpose from accumulators to managers!
Lesson Three: THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF MONEY IS TO GIVE
God gives us two directives.
Take care of our families
Honour Him by giving.These are not contradictory; rather, they are ways in which we reflect our obedience to God who charged us with caring for our family and others who are in need.
These three principles: Lordship, Stewardship and Generosity should change our financial plans, our financial purposes and our financial goals.
They have certainly done that for me.
Chuck Bentley
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