Honoring God With Our Money: Giving Back

In this lesson we have looked at God’s provisions for us.  Today we examine the question, “What should we give back to God in return for all He gives us?

In First Samuel 15:22, we read that God desires obedience above sacrifice.  “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

God expects His people to obey Him in all things, including giving to the work of the Lord.  The Israelites were trying to keep God’s favor by bringing sacrifices and burnt offerings while disobeying His instructions to refrain from participating in the evil practices of their neighbors.  Samuel was telling them that offerings are not enough.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1,2, Paul instructions Christians to provide for those who do God’s work. “Now about the collection for God’s people…On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income. ”  Furthermore, Paul doesn’t ask that each person give equally, but rather than each person give in accordance with his or her income.  This supports the concept of tithing, in which everyone gives 10% of their income to the work of the church.

 

The Bible provides clear instructions on how are we to give.

 2 Chronicles 24:16  “All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly.”

 2 Chronicles 31:12 “They faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts.”

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Exodus 35:2  “And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”

 

2 Corinthians 8:12 tell us we are to give in accordance with what we have. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”

Giving according to what we have—typically 10%, or a tithe, of our income–ensures that everyone is contributing but no one is unduly burdened. 

Furthermore,  2 Chronicles 31:12 (see above) instructions us that we are to give contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts.  Tithes are the first 10% of our income that belongs to God, contributions are gifts above our tithes, and dedicated gifts are given to meet a specific purposes.

 

 We should give to the work of the church out of obedience to God and in thankfulness for the many blessings He bestows on us.  As if that were not enough, however, God has promised to extravagantly bless those who tithe and provide for His work.

Malachi 3:8-10  “You ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'”

 

2 Corinthians 9: 10, 11 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God”

 

Our Life Application verse reminds us that God wants us to give cheerfully and that He will bless us in accordance with our generosity to the work of the church and to others.

2  Corinthians 9:6, 7 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he had decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Honoring God With Our Money: Lessons from the Widow and Elijah

As you read the story of the widow and Elijah in I Kings 17:7- 16 below, think about what we can learn from this story about God’s provision for His people.

 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.  
And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,   Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.   
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
1And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
Elijah asks the widow for bread
Elijah asks the widow for bread
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.  For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.
 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.  And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

 

When I read this story, it reminds me that:

(1)   God does provide for His people.

(2)   God wants us to trust Him.

(3)   We need to give to the work of the Lord first and then take care of ourselves.

Honoring God With Our Money: God Provides for Us

In week 4 of our study ‘Honoring God with Our Money,’ we are looking at how God provides for us and what He asks of us in return.  We began the lesson by asking you to consider how God has recently provided for your family. 

Every day God is providing for us.  We don’t also acknowledge His provisions and often we aren’t even consciously aware of the many ways God provides for us.  I encourage people I speak to, particularly women, to keep journals of clear incidences of God’s provision. Some financial blessings are quite apparent–you receive an unexpected check in the mail or someone treats your family to lunch.  Others are less apparent–you discover a small leak in your roof before it becomes a major problem, a bill is less than you expected, or many of the items on your shopping list are on sale this week. 

God’s provisions are not always financial–God provides words of encouragement, helping hands, open doors and closed doors, solutions to difficult problems, and other clear demonstrations of His love when we need them.  I encourage you to record those provisions as well.

 

In Deuteronomy 8:17-18  we read, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to product wealth.”

It is God who gives us our mental and physical abilities.  Without his grace and provision, we are able to do nothing.   I am always pleased when I hear athletes, actors, songwriters, and other celebrities thanking God for the talent He has given them.   Like them, we should daily acknowledge that it is only through God’s  provisions for us that we are able to work to provide for our families. 

We need to trust God for our provisions.  The following verses are just two of the many times in God word that He promises that His people will never go without food and that He will provide for us when we ask Him.

Psalm 37:25  “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.”

Matthew 7:7 – 8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

 

God wants us to ask Him for what we need and to thank Him when He meets are needs.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become more aware of the many ways God blesses you financially each week and make a habit to acknowledge these blessings and thank God for them.

Please feel free to share ways you have seen God provide for your family recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honoring God With Our Money: Lesson 4

This is week 4 of a 6-week Bible study entitled ‘Honoring God with Our Money’.  This week we look at how God provides for us and how He expects us in return to provide for the work of the church.

 

Think about specific ways have you observed God providing for you and your family?  Jot down a few as a record of God’s faithfulness.  This record of God’s faithfulness will serve to increase your faith when you walk through times of trouble.

 

Read the following Bible verses and think about what each verse tell us about God’s provisions for His people?

 Deuteronomy 8:17-18    

 Psalm 37:25 

 Matthew 7:7 – 8

 Read the story of the widow and Elijah in I Kings 17:7 – 16.  What can we learn from this illustration?

 God provides for all of our needs. What do the following verses tell us about what He ask of us in return?

 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

 This verse tells us that God desires ___________________________

1 Corinthians 16:1,2 Now about the collection for God’s people…On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.

 This verse tells us that we are to _______________________________________.

 The amount we give should be based on ______________________________.

Exodus 25:2 Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering.  You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompt them to.

 We should give when _______________________________________________.

What do the following verses tell us about how are we to give?

 2 Chronicles 24:16 All the officials and all the people brought their contributions ________.

2 Chronicles 31:12 They _______________ brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts.

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the _____________ ______________of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 

Exodus 35:2  And everyone who was _______________ and whose _________________ moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.

 What does 2 Corinthians 8:12 tell us about how much are we to give?

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”

 ________________________________________________________________

What types of offerings should we give? (Refer to 2 Chronicles 31:12 above). 

___________________________________________________________

 Read Malachi 3:8 – 10 and 2 Corinthians 9:10, 11.  If we give in accordance with God’s commands, what does He promise us?

 ____________________________________________________________________

Malachi 3:8-10 You ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes and offerings.  You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

2 Corinthians 9: 10, 11 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God

 Life Application:

2  Corinthians 9:6, 7  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he had decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Please check back throughout the week for my commentary on this lesson.

Honoring God With Our Money: Lessons from the Rich Fool

Read the Parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12:13-2

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

What lessons should we learn from this parable?

(1)   Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

(2)   Wealth provides no eternal security.

(3)   God will put the arrogant in their place.

(4)   Wealth that is not used wisely can be taken in an instant.

God called the rich man a fool because he lived for himself and put his trust in his wealth.  However, all of his wealth was unable to buy him another day on Earth.  He wasn’t able to take his wealth with him and it was left to another.

The rich man did not concern himself with the needs of other.  Rather, he spent his wealth on his own leisure and comfort.  He did  not build treasure in Heaven and he did not put his trust in the Lord.  Therefore,  he is not spending eternity in  Heaven.  Sadly,  the rich fool received the what he had prepared for himself–an eternity in hell.

Wealth can make your life on Earth more pleasant, but it cannot give you eternal security unless it is given back to God and used for His purposes.  Make we all take to heart the lessons of the rich fool and put our faith and trust in God rather than money.

Honoring God With Your Money: Frivolity of Trusting in Wealth

Many people put more faith in their bank balance than in God to provide for their needs.  The recent economic crisis has proven God’s Word to be correct when it tells us not to trust in wealth.  The average American saw 40% of their wealth evaporate when the stock market crashed and home values plunged in 2008 and 2009.  Of course , we are to save and to plan for our retirement years, but our trust needs to be in God.

It is tempting to think that wealthier Christians are ‘more’ spiritual than poorer Christians.  However, an examination of God’s Word shows that wealth, or lack thereof, is no indication of one’s spiritual condition.  It may be a matter of trust, however.  God does impart wealth to those who can be trusted to use it according to His purposes and He withhold wealth from Christians for whom wealth would create problems.

 

What does the Bible say about wealth and poverty.

1)  God determines who is wealthy and who is poor.      “The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.” 1 Sam. 2:7

2)  There is no shame in being poor . “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom fails and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” James 1:9-11

3) There is no glory in being rich. “Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.” Psalm 49:16,17

4) Righteousness is more desirable than riches.   “Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.” Prov. 28:6

 

1 Tim. 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

This verse tells us that the role of the wealthy is to do good deeds and to be generous and bless others.  If  the rich use their money as God commanded, they will build treasure in Heaven.  Our goal should be to build eternal treasure which will last forever.  Earthly riches are fleeting and will not do us any good in Heaven.

 

James 2:5-6 “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?  But you have insulted the poor.  Is it not the rich who are exploiting you?”

This verse reminds us that God has promised blessings to the poor.  The poor will be rich in faith and will inherit the kingdom of God.

 

If God has blessed you with financial resources beyond what you need to provide for your family, please remember His command to share with those less fortunate than yourself. Pray and ask God to direct your giving to the needs He would have you meet. In this way, you will be a blessing and you will store up treasure in Heaven.

If your family is struggling financially, please remember that there is no shame in being poor and no shame in asking for help.  Ask God to meet your needs and then allow Him to do so by sharing your needs with others.

Honoring God With Our Money, Lesson 3

Week 3: Frivolity of Trusting in Wealth

 Opening Discussion:

  • Why are some Christians financially comfortable while others struggle financially?
  • Are wealthy Christians more ‘spiritual’ than poor Christians?
  • Is there a connection between your spiritual condition and your bank balance?

Let’s look at what the Bible says about wealth and poverty.

1 Sam. 2:7  The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

Point 1:  ___________________________________________________

James 1:9-11 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom fails and its beauty is destroyed.  In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Point 2:  ___________________________________________________

Psalm 49:16,17 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.

Point 3:  ___________________________________________________

Prov. 28:6 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

 

Point 4:  __________________________________________________

 

 Read 1 Tim. 6:17-19

What is the role of the wealth? _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

 

Read  James 2:5-6

What blessings does God promise the poor?  _________________________________________

____________________________________________

Read the Parable of the Rich Fool  Luke 12:13-21

What lessons can we learn from this parable?

  1.  
  2. __________________________________________
  3. __________________________________________
  4. __________________________________________
  5. __________________________________________

 

 

 Additional Verses on the Frivolity of Wealth

 

Prov. 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Prov. 13:8 A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.

Prov. 11:4  Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Eccl. 5:13-14 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun; wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.

Prov. 27:24  Riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Life Application:

Prov. 23: 4, 5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Honoring God With Our Money: Warnings to the Rich

In the final part of Lesson 2, we will look at God’s warnings to the rich.

The story of the Rich Young Ruler is told in Matthew 19:16-30.  Jesus used this story to demonstrate how difficult it is for those who love money to be saved.  To recap, the young ruler asked Jesus what he had to do to earn eternal life.  Jesus replied that he should keep God’s commandments.  He responded that he had kept that commandments and asked what he lacked.  Jesus then told him to sell all that he had and give the money to the poor.  In verse 22, we read, “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth”

Jesus then told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Matt. 19:23-24 

 

Think About:  Why do you think it is so hard for the rich to be saved?  Their riches make them feel self-sufficient, so they have a harder time realizing their need for God.

 Why was the rich ruler sad?  He wasn’t willing to give up earthly treasure for true riches in Heaven.

 

The Bible provides many additional warnings to the rich.  Read the following verses and allow God to show dangers of seeking riches for riches sake.

 

1 Tim. 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation, and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

 

Job 36:18-19 Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.  Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

 

Luke 6:24 Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

 

Luke 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

 

James 5:1-5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you…Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  Your gold and silver have corroded…You have hoarded wealth in the last days…You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.

 

 Think About:  After reading these verses, why might you still desire to be rich?  Riches allow us to be debt-free and live in financial freedom.  They also give us the ability to help others.  Being rich is not a sin, but loving money above others is a sin.

 

Life Application:

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Honoring God With Our Money: Fears of the Super-Rich

Despite having an abundance of wealth that most of us cannot imagine, the super wealthy are generally plagued with anxieties about love, work, and family and do not feel financially secure.  These conclusions were drawn by Graeme Wood in an article entitled “Secret Fears of the Super-Rich”.  This article was published in The Atlantic magazine 2011.

 Mr. Wood reviewed the finding s of a survey of 165 households with average net worth of $78 million.  His conclusions show that not only does money not buy happiness, but that at some point an overabundance of money becomes a burden.

Here are some of the conclusions Mr. Wood drew from the survey:

1)      People don’t know how to deal with excess money and will desire more long after wealth has become a burden rather than a comfort

2)      Constant luxury is, in a sense, no luxury at all.

3)      Being extremely wealthy is no more fulfilling than merely being prosperous.

4)      The very wealthy believe they have lost their right to complain for fear of sounding, or being, ungrateful.

5)      The very wealthy worry about their children:  Will the money spoil them?  Will they lead meaningful lives?  Will someone love them for themselves and not their money?

6)      Money interferes with their relationships—do people like them just for their money; always expected to pay

7)      Extreme wealth takes away some of the basic joys of living, such as holidays—the wealthy are always expected to give extravagant gifts; gifts received aren’t so meaningful when you can buy whatever you want.

8)      Those who inherited their wealth question their self-worth.

9)      The wealthy have a difficult time with work.  Those who do work in our present economy may be viewed as having taken a job someone else needs.  Also, it is easy for the wealthy to quit a job as soon as a situation arises that they don’t like.

10)   The happiest wealthy people are usually heavily involved in philanthropy. 

Many of these conclusions mirror truths found in God’s word. For example, the respondents felt they would be secure if they only had 25% more money.   That sounds a lot like what God’s word teaches us in Ecclesiastes 5:10,   “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.”   God’s word also teaches us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)  Those super wealthy individuals who engage in philanthropy have learned this for themselves.

While we may dream of one day becoming super wealthy, we need to realize that having excess money above what we truly need will not make us happy.  Happiness and true contentment can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Honoring God With Our Money: Does Money Buy Happiness?

This week’s lesson looks at what the Bible says about the love of money.  An apt subtitle would be, “Does money buy happiness?”

 Most of us dream at least occasionally of suddenly acquiring a great deal of wealth.  Perhaps your wealth would come through an inheritance, a law suit, or winnings from a game show or contest.  Pretend for a moment that you been given $1 million.  What would you do with the money?

The most common answers include:  buy a house, pay off debt, save for the kid’s college funds, and help my family.  I hope your list includes giving back to God through tithing and helping others who have been less fortunate. 

Would $1 million put you in a position to never work again?  Would you want to be in such a position?

Think About:  Would you do anything different if your winnings were $10 million?  Would such a large sum of money change your life?  If so, how?  Would you want to have enough money to be able to retire at 40?  50?

Some of the questions you should think about as you go through today’s Scriptures are: 

  • Does God want Christians to be rich? 
  • Doesn’t it seem that those raised in wealth have a difficult time finding their place in life and wind up frequently bored and in trouble? 
  • Does wealth equate to happiness? 

 
Read 1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs.

 Question:  What is the root of all evil?  Not money, but the love of money. Money in and of itself is not a problem.  Problems arise when we ‘love’ money.  Many crimes have been committed over money. 

 Questiono: Why is the love of money a problem for believers? Having an excess amount of money leads to a spirit of self-sufficiency.  The Bible is clear that God wants believers to recognize their need for God and to be dependent on Him.  When we have more than enough money to meet our needs, we may not feel our need for God so deeply.

Read Ecclesiastes 5:10  Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

The love of money leads to a spirit of discontent.  Wealthy people often hoard money, well above the amount they need for retirement.  Rather than using their money to care for others and share God’s love, they become anxious to have a larger and larger bank account.

This fact was borne out in a survey of 165 super-rich households.  The respondents in this survey had an average net worth of $78 million, yet most expressed that they did not feel financially secure.

Tomorrow’s post will look at the findings of that survey.