I've often heard that the Bible is just a book from 2,000 years ago and doesn't apply to the world today. I think I probably have said that once or twice before, but now as a Believer I know that this is simply NOT the case. The Bible is completely relevant to the world today. The Bible is "God breathed" meaning, it contains His words for His people. It's been described as a handbook for mankind, a love letter from God. Since God has no beginning and no end, His words (the Bible) also can not have a beginning or end. It's as timeless as God Himself. It is in fact ALIVE!
I'm going to write some blog posts where I will try to show how Scripture has spoken directly to me in my life with regards all sorts of topics I'm dealing with in today's world. Hopefully, my experiences will cause you to also seek out God's guidance through Scripture.
Today's topic - Money
There are hundreds of quotes in scripture that can be connected to money and how to manage it. Obviously dealing with money is important to God. Below are some of my thoughts regarding money and scripture to support them;
Money and wealth and all those "things" we have all come from God
"Every good and perfect gift is from above" James 1:17
Money is not important, but rather your love of God is the most important
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Matthew 6:19-21
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:21-25
“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.” Luke 16:13
It's right to be generous with your money
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for god loves a cheerful giver" 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" Acts 2:44-47
Be honest in your dealings with money and finances
“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 wealth, 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?" Luke 16:10-12
"Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live" Proverbs 15:27
Don't be greedy!
"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income" Ecclesiastes 5:10
"For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them" Ephesians 5:5-7
God blesses those who give
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Malachi 3:10
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." Proverbs 3:10
"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." 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Don't be generous with your money just to try to earn favor
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" Matthew 6:1-4
Be sure to tithe at your church
"Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always." Deuteronomy 14:22-23
I'm sure many of these comments/thoughts/ideas about money are things you may have learned growing up. Honesty, generosity, etc are likely not hard concepts to comprehend. But seeing these ideas as coming from God puts things into a much more important perspective. If God is the absolute highest authority in your life, the creator of all things living and you accept these words come from Him, it makes it even more important for a person to try to live the best they can by His commands.
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