Tag: financial-freedom

Honoring God With Our Money: Lesson 5

Our dealings with others in business, whether our employees or co-workers or those serving us, need to reflect Christian principles of fairness and honesty.  In this lesson, we look at what the Bible says about fair business practices and it’s warnings against dishonesty.

Think About: Do you reflect Christ in the way you treat those with whom you do business?  In the way you treat your co-workers or your employees?

Reat the following verses to discover what does the Bible say about how we treat those who work for us?

 Leviticus 19: 13b    Do not hold back the ______________of a hired _____________overnight.

 Deuteronomy 24:5  ___________them their wages each day before sunset, because they are ______________ and counting on it.  Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of ________.

Isaiah 58:3 “Why have we ____________”, they say, “and you have not seen it?  Why have we ____________ ourselves and you have not noticed?”  Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you ___________ and ____________ all your workers.”

Malachi 3:5  So I will come near to you for _______________.  I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud _______________ of their ____________, who oppress widows, and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty.

 James 5:4  Look!  The ___________you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.  The ___________ of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

 

 Read the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard  Matthew 20:1 – 16

 (1)  How would you feel if you were one of the first workers to be hired? 

(2)  What if you were the last worker hired? 

(3)  What are the implication of this story for how we treat workers? 

(4)  Do our laws prevent this type of generosity by an employer?

 

What does the Bible say about other business dealings?

 Prov. 13:11 ______________money ____________ away, but he who gathers ________________ little by little makes it grow.

 Prov. 28:8 He who increases his ______________ by ______________ interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the _____________.

 Luke 3:13, 14  Don’t ______________ any more than you are required to, he told them…Don’t ______________ money and don’t accuse people falsely…Be ______________ with your pay.

 

 Read the Parable of the Shrewd Manager  Luke 16: 1 – 9 

 (1)    How do you feel about the behavior of the manager?

(2)    Would you have commended the manager if you were the master?

(3)    Are you surprised by Jesus’s comment in verse 9?

 

 Life Application:

Luke 16: 10 – 12 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealthy, who will trust you with true riches?  And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”

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: 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: 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.

Honoring God With Our Money: Purpose of Money

Before we can really consider how to honor God with our money, we need to consider the purpose of money.

Money serves to make transactions easier.  Without money, we would have to barter for the things we need and want.  Work is a form of barter.  I go to work for you and give up my free time.  While I am at work, I accomplish the tasks you assign to me.  In exchange for my time and labor, you pay me an agreed upon sum.  Without money, I would have to trade my services to you for products or services that I need and that you could supply.  Money makes the whole process much simpler than a bartering system.

Most of us work hard to earn our money.  We want to get the most for our money.  We use money to meet our needs and to make life easier and more enjoyable.

Isaiah 55:2 provides a good framework for money management.  It says “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labors on what does not satisfy?

In this verse, bread signifies necessities of life–food, shelter, clothing, and other things we truly need.  If we spend our money to buy the things we need, we feel satisfied and content.  When we waste our money on things that we don’t need, we feel regret and discontent.  All of us have purchased things we thought we really wanted, only to have them sit in a closet unused for years before we decided to get rid of them.  Our natural tendency to purchase items we don’t need has led to the rise of yard sales and thrift stores.

I believe we would waste much less money if we would stop and ask ourselves two questions before making a purchase:

1) Do I truly need this item?

2) Am I willing to trade ______ hour(s) of my labor to obtain this item?

This week I encourage you to pause before making any discretionary purchases and consider these questions.

Honoring God With Our Money, Lesson 1

I have just begun teaching a Sunday school class entitled Honoring God With Our Money.  Earlier this year, I read Dwight L. Moody’s book Pleasure and Profit in Bible Study. It inspired me to do a word search on what the Bible says about money.  That lead to searches on riches, wealth, poverty, giving, charity, tithing, and greed.

The Bible has quite a lot to say about money and finances.  These teachings are still valid today and can be used as a guideline for how to live in financial freedom.  As I studied, I felt impressed to write a Sunday school curriculum and teach these principals to some of my fellow church members.  In this space, I will also share this information with my readers.

At the beginning of each week, I will post the student worksheets.  Then, throughout the week, I will post the teaching notes.  This study is for anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties and for everyone who wants to know more about what the Bible says about money and finances.

 Please feel free to post comments, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with me.  I hope that you will find this study useful and that it will give you a better understanding of how we can honor God by the way we earn, spend, give, and share our money.  May God richly bless you, financially and spiritually, as you begin to apply these godly principals to your life.

Week 1:  Purpose of Money, Overview of Class

Think About:  What purposes does money serve?

Read Theme Verse:  Isaiah 55:2  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labors on what does not satisfy?

In this verse, what does bread signify?

When have you spend your money on things that brought no satisfaction?

 

Activity:  Make a list of a few of your biggest money mistakes.

  1. _________________________________________________
  2. __________________________________________________
  3. _________________________________________________
  4. _________________________________________________
  5. _________________________________________________

Why did you regret spending your money on these items?

If you could have back the money you spent on those items, what would the money allow you to do?

Read Luke 15:11 – 32—The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Think About: What does this parable teach us about money?

Read Proverbs 22:1  A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

According to this verse, what is the measure of true wealth?

In this Bible study, we are going to consider how we can Honor God with our money.  Honoring God with money involves

(1) earning money honestly,

(2) spending money wisely,

(3) giving back to the work of the Lord a portion of our earnings, and

(4) sharing with those less fortunate than us.

Accomplishing all four of these goals requires understanding how God views money and having a plan for managing our money.

Life Application:

Proverbs 30:8  Give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.