Trusting God With All My Finances
The believer’s handling of his or her finances is the thing which most reveals his or her relationship to God. Now having made that bold statement, let me explain what I mean by it. We know that God created all things, that from Him come all things, and to Him are due all things, but somehow, we reserve our money exclusively for our own control. This is a big mistake. Now I know that a wide variety of people may read this post, representing a wide variety of financial acumen. There will be those who seemingly have all their financial needs met, and there will be those who are just barely hanging on. If the reader is a believer then it doesn’t matter which group he is in; the principles still apply.
There are many verses which speak to one’s handling of money. In fact of the 38 parables Jesus taught, 16 were about money. Some talk about giving 10%; some speak in generalities. Generally, giving 10% of one’s net income is the figure most mentioned, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that giving something is better than giving nothing. The reason I say it that way is that over time the giver begins to realize the blessings that come from having another part of one’s life submitted to God. As that happens the believer begins to submit to God more fully by increasing his giving.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. (TMT)
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (NIV)
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (NIV)
God created everything we can see and everything we can’t see. The universe, planets, stars, atoms, electrons, molecules all were created by Him. When we give to Him, we are just returning to Him what he already owns. Think about it: the breath in our lungs, the molecules of which we are made, and the money we receive all belong to him. We can’t hold back our finances just because it is inconvenient to give. Another way to look at it: How can we trust God with eternity and our salvation and not trust Him with our money? If we accept that Jesus paid the ultimate price for us by going to the Cross, and if we accept him as our Lord, then the only appropriate thing is to honor him with every part of our lives, including finances.
It is certainly not a sin to want to have enough money to be reasonably comfortable. The trouble is that ‘reasonably’ is an imprecise word open to various interpretations. But it is a sin to desire to be rich for its own sake. I think it reasonable to say that most people hold money as an idol. I think most do not realize it though. Some would find that statement offensive, but what I mean is that whenever we put something above God, we are making an idol of it. And money is usually that last bastion of ‘heat-space’ kept walled up against God. From our first moments of self-awareness we are taught how to handle money; we are taught to save and taught to appreciate its value. As the years go by, money becomes such a central part of our thinking that money becomes an idol.
1Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Did you notice the dichotomy in Paul’s words? He’s saying there is a spectrum here: there is a great danger in loving money for its own sake because it leads a person into making stupid decisions, falling into temptation, and experiencing the life-struggles which naturally come from them. But on the other end lies contentment with what one has. There is great gain in being able to allow God to guide one along in life, focusing on needs rather than desires, and contentment rather than covetousness. When Jesus said (Matthew 6:24) that a person can’t serve both God and money, I think He was pointing out how cruel and merciless a master money actually is. All of our lives it seems we put our time, allegiance, and effort into money only to find it never satisfies. But God always satisfies when we put our time, energy, and allegiance into Him. And because of that let’s look at one other thing.
Luke 12:32, 34 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.…. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Having Jesus as our Savior is a place of safety, and we shouldn’t be afraid of anything. In essence then, not being fearful, and trusting God with all parts of our lives, including money, is a beautiful form of worship. There are many reasons, in just these 28 words, to put trust in God.
First, God is our Shepherd; He protects us, guides us toward nourishment and safety, and guards us against the wolves of the world.
Second, God is our Father; He really cares, really knows our needs, really understands the difference between need and want, and provides exactly what is necessary.
Third, God is our King; as King He can do whatever He wants with His Kingdom, including giving it to us. God is generous, beneficent, and loving.
Fourth, God is happy to do it.
Whether or not we had a father who gave us things when we were young, all of us do now. This is our treasure, that God so loved us that He gave His Son, is our Shepherd, Father, and King, and gets enjoyment in helping us. How can we not offer Him worship by allowing Him access to the financial part of our lives?
Finally, let’s get some perspective. Let me ask you, how are things for you right now? Are you getting gas in your cars and heat in your house? Do you have money in the bank and people around who love you and a few fun songs on your iPod and a few fun movies on your DVR? Do you have a roof over your head, blankets to keep you warm, and a doctor to help you stay healthy? Three squares a day, more or less? Then as of right now – despite what is happening around you – you are among the most privileged, the most blessed, and the most secure people who have ever lived on this planet.
So the basic message here is that God is in control in our lives and loves us beyond our understanding. Let’s thank Him with our finances.