Faith and money. Money and faith. What does money have to do with faith, and how can the way we spend our money, honor, or dishonor God? There is a commercial where the catch phrase is, “It’s my money, and I want it now.” In reality though, is it really our money?
It’s Not Our Money!
Psalm 24:1 says, The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. The world and those who dwell within. The first thing to realize is that it’s not our money. Everything on earth is the God’s, even our money. God is the provider of everything that we have. He gave us the knowledge, the skills, and the opportunities to obtain anything that we have, so everything we have actually belongs to Him. This might be a hard concept for some to digest, but we just need to go back to God’s Word. Colossians 1:16 says, For by him all things were created, in heaven, and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rules or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. Also, Deuteronomy 10:4 says, Behold to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
We Are Stewards
While everything we have actually belongs to God, we can think of ourselves as stewards over what he has provided for us. What is a steward? A steward in the biblical sense of the word is,”Someone who utilizes and manages the resources God provides for the glory of God, and the betterment of His creation.” In other words, we are to watch over and manage what He gives us in a way which honors Him. It makes you think, doesn’t it? Don’t we usually try to take better care of something if it belongs to someone else?
What’s In Your Check Register?
It is said that your commitment to God can be determined by what is in your check register, for those who still use check registers. I don’t know if that’s true, or not, but I get the point they are trying to make. If we look at what we spend, and the way that we spend, would God be honored? Would he say we have done a good job, or a poor job with what he has provided for us?
Things That Make You Go Hmmm
Ok, now that we know that everything we have actually belongs to God, even our money, how do we spend in a way that honors him? This really makes you think. I mean, you really want to see that new movie that just came out. You know the one where our hero shoots about fifty bad guys, and also proves himself to be a real ladies man. How about that romance novel where the main character has an affair with the man of her dreams, while her boring husband is away on business. Well you get the point I am trying to make. Do we spend God’s money on things that go against what his word teaches? I think we all know the answer, but it is just hard to do, because for many of us, we don’t even think about it. We just go and do it. This is something to really take to God in prayer, to help us use what He has provided us a way that honors him.
Giving Back To God
Every Sunday, in just about every church, there is an offering. Some churches pass the offering plate around, and some churches have congregants march around and put their offering in the plates in front of the church. In these modern times, some churches make online giving available, or even have a service available where you can give via text. Does God really need our money? He is God after all. Well in the practical sense, we live in the real world and churches need money to operate. It takes money to do ministry, and it takes money to keep the lights on, and that money comes from us. It comes from what God has provided for us.
More About Our Faith
Giving back to God is more about our faith in God, and his provision, than it is about God needing our money. God, the creator of all things does not need our money. He is just allowing us to be obedient and take part in His agenda. His agenda though, will be completed, one way, or another, whether we participate, or not. What if we don’t have enough money to give? That is a struggle with many of us. Are we supposed to give when we don’t have enough money to pay the rent or mortgage, or if we won’t have enough money to get through the week? Well, Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Sometimes to give, it takes faith. Is it ok to see if we’ll have anything left over at the end of the week, and give that to God? Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” God wants our best. He wants the best from us.
Being Practical
Ok, but let’s be practical, you say. If it comes down to paying your rent, or mortgage, and giving to God, you say, “I need to make sure my rent is paid.” Ok, so maybe, unless you feel led by God, you should pay your rent, but maybe though, God is urging you to be a better steward with what he gives you so you won’t have to decide between paying your rent, or giving to God. You’ll be able to set aside what you are being led to give.
Cain and Abel
Going back to giving God our best, remember Cain and Abel? Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice, but did not accept Cain’s? One belief on why Cain’s offering was not accepted is because it was not his best. Abel brought the first fruits of his crop, or rather livestock. The best that he had. Cain, it is believed, did not make an effort to bring his best to the Lord.
What About Tithing?
Tithing is the practical way in which we put God first in our lives. It is giving back to God the first ten percent of our earnings. The word “tithe” is a Hebrew word which means, a tenth. So, for every $10.00 we earn, or receive, the first dollar goes to God. If we say God is first in our lives, how can we limit our giving to him to our leftovers?
What Does The Bible Say About Tithing?
Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food for my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great, you won’t have room enough to take it in. Try it! Put me to the test!” Also, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
New Testament Giving
Although there is no command to tithe in the New Testament, believers still gave a percentage of their income. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, it says, “On the first day of every week each of you shall put something aside from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” The early church was encouraged to give a percentage of their income on the first day of the week.
Be A Cheerful Giver
Whatever amount you give, do it because you feel led to give that amount. If you feel God leading you to give a certain amount, give that amount, and do it cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. For each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Abound In Every Good Work
This was always interesting to me. If we give, God will bless us that in all times we will have everything we need, so we can abound in every good work. In other words, God will increase the ability of believers who give generously, to give even more. This will result in the spreading of his Word even further.
In Conclusion
Giving to God takes faith. If giving to God is hard because of money difficulties, it is probably a good idea to budget, or maybe even sit down with someone to help you go through your finances to make sure you have money to give back to God. Remember, in God’s word there are promises associated with giving, and God promises to take care of us. The first and the best belong to the Lord. Let us all make a point to give God our best, and see how He blesses us like His word promises. Please feel free to leave questions or comments.
Pic Of The Post
The pick of this post was something I chose because, as I said previously, when we give to God, we want to give him our best. This picture, I feel, is among my best. I can’t pick out just on picture that I feel is the best, so this is one that I feel is among my best. Just click on the “Pic Of The Post” link to view it.
One More Thing
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