Biblical Financial Principle #13 - Don't Worry - Be Content

Be content with what you have – Do not worry:

God’s Word is chock full of admonitions about being content ... Prov. 15:16 - "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Eccl. 5:19 - "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God." Heb. 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.'" Phil. 4:11b - Paul tells us: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Jesus was clear in His teachings that we should not worry. Luke 12:22-23 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.'" Luke 12:29 - "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it."

Most of the things we worry about never happen anyway. We need to start our day with prayer and continue to talk to God throughout our day. As God leads us we must take responsible action to follow His directions. He will meet our needs.

Paul provides us with some great counsel: 1 Timothy 6:6 - "…godliness with contentment is great gain." Phil. 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Our biggest problem with this concept is that we fail to separate “needs” from “wants.” We continue to try and do things our way instead of trusting God and His plan.

God has a plan and purpose for your life. CLICK HERE to find out more.

Biblical Financial Principle #12 - Do not be envious or greedy

Do not be envious or greedy:

Many years ago I read an article in the Readers' Digest that made a lasting impression on me. I believe the title was "Keeping Up With The Jones." The writer's main point was that we really do not know how others are spending their resources.

One family might be putting 4 kids through college. Another might have a motorhome and their friends might take a trip to Europe each year. Someone else might have a Harley and their next door neighbor might spend a good deal of money on insurance policies.

There is no way we can even begin to keep up with everything that everyone we know is doing so don't even bother to try. Be content with what God has given you and be a good steward of what you have. Here are a few Scripture verses that bear on this topic:

Proverbs 14:30 - "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

Proverbs 23:17 - ":Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord."

Job 5:2 - "Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple."

Luke 12:15 - "Then he (Jesus) said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"

As Christians our inheritance is the Lord and we have been blessed with access to all of His many resources. We need to keep Him at the very top of our priority list. If you would like to discover how to begin a relationship with God - CLICK HERE. For information and video seminars on the economy, resume writing and job interview tips visit: Life Navigation In Turnbulent Times

Biblical Financial Principle #11 - Treat Other Christians Well

According to Jesus the “acid test” of our faith is how we treat other Christians:

Jesus gave a very telling illustration about end times events: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Mat. 25:34-40)

Jesus said: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

The Apostle John asks us: "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" (1 John 3:17)

Review your checkbook or whatever record you keep of how you spend your financial resources. What have you spent on assisting other Christians who are in need?

Biblical Financial Principles - A Note Of Caution

Warning about false financial teaching:

Recently in this blog we have set forth ten Biblical Financial Principles. Now it's time for a note of caution. In our "something for nothing," "immediate gratification" culture we are often looking for quick fixes. Even in the community of so-called "Christian" teachings there are issues with improper Biblical interpretation.

When reading, studying and applying Biblical Principles:
1) We must be certain that we understand who is speaking. The Bible quotes Jesus and also quotes Judas and Satan.
2) We also need to know who the writer is speaking to. For example some Biblical injunctions apply specifically to the nation of Israel.
3) We need to keep everything in context of the full counsel of the word of God (the entire spectrum of Biblical teaching).
4) We must recognize figures of speech, parables, prophecy, poetry and other literary and cultural features in Scripture.
5) We need to compare Scripture with Scripture before applying Biblical teachings to our lives.
6) We must to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide our study and show us how to discern the truth.
7) We can also use conservative, evangelical commentaries to make certain we are not going off on an incorrect tangent.

At all costs we must avoid "cut and paste" theology. One of the best examples I know of to illustrate this point is to take Judges 7:17 and combine it with Matthew 27:5b. If you do this you get a paragraph that reads: "'Watch me,' he told them. 'Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do.' Then he went away and hanged himself."

We should be cautiously optimistic when listening to Bible teaching messages. Everything we hear and read must be seen through the lens of Scripture. Since God does not contradict Himself we should not accept teaching that conflicts with God's written word, the Bible. This applies even if someone claims a Divine revelation or a specific message to them from God or an angel.

When listening to secular advice (whether in person, on radio, on television or from the newspaper, books, etc.) we must be firmly grounded in Scripture and be certain to sort out truth from fiction. There is a story (perhaps an urban legend) that the way banks train tellers to recognize counterfeit bills is to instruct them primarily about the characteristics of the "the real deal." By knowing what an actual $100 bill looks and feels like, the teller is quickly able to detect a fake one.

So let's get specific, who should we listen to for sound, Biblical financial advice? Visit the Life Navigation website for some good leads. Also, Glass House Ministries and Crown Financial Ministries offer excellent resources.

Whom should we avoid? Stay away from TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and from touted advice peddlers like Suze Orman and Oprah Winfrey. The Bible tells us that we should evaluate individuals like a fruit inspector. If you investigate the life styles, values and teachings of Suze and Oprah you will discover that they are outside the boundaries set by Scripture.

In addition steer clear of any teaching that claims to be Biblical and yet promises a formula for success. This would include teachings that might be described as word-faith, word of faith, seed faith, name it and claim it, health and wealth, the prosperity doctrine and/or positive confession. God is not "our butler in heaven." He is sovereign and that means that He is not obligated to (for example) give you a million dollars just because you gave a seed faith gift of $1,000 to help fill some television preacher's coffers.

In the final analysis all of our efforts to gain wisdom and manage our finances are fruitless unless we are basing everything we do on the foundation of a correct personal relationship with our Lord, our God and our Creator, Jesus Christ.

Here are some suggested books you may wish to consider adding to your library:

Basic Bible Interpretation - Roy B. Zuck

How to Study Your Bible: The Lasting Rewards of the Inductive Method - Kay Arthur

Biblical Financial Study, Collegiate Edition - Crown Financial Ministries

Here are some suggested web site links:

Life Navigation (a ministry of Cypress Church)

Manage Your Money God’s Way

The Life Changing Message Of Jesus

Biblical Financial Pinciple #9 - Do Not Limit God's Blessings

Do not limit God’s blessings:

God desires to bless us. He promised blessings to Abraham: "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:2) The Aaronic priestly blessing begins with these words: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." (Numbers 6:24)

When King Balak asked the prophet Balaam to curse Israel all he could do was bless them: "Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!'" (Num. 23:11)

The history of the nation Israel is "typical" history and provides spiritual lessons for us today. Israel tested God ten times (Num. 14:22) during the wilderness wanderings: "How often they rebelled against him in the desert and grieved him in the wasteland! Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed (NKJV – limited) the Holy One of Israel." (Psalm 78:40-41)
They limited God’s desired blessing by their disobedience and their lack of faith.

Jesus taught us how we can be blessed by God: "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28b) If we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ then our lives (our actions) will give evidence of our faith. We cannot just "talk the talk" and call ourselves true Christians. We read in the book of James: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17)

Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Discover "The Life Changing Message Of Jesus."

Biblical Financial Principle #6b - Cheerfully and Willingly Invest in God’s Kingdom

Cheerfully and willingly invest time, talents and assets in God’s Kingdom - Part 2:

During Paul’s period of ministry there was a need to assist the believers in Jerusalem. He told the Romans: "For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem." (Romans 15:26)

In this context of giving to help the poor among God’s people Paul wrote: "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints." (2 Cor. 8:1-4)

Paul urged the Corinthians to be part of this opportunity but he did not “command” them. Paul stressed the correct attitude of willingness: "But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Cor. 8:7-12)

Paul mentioned a desire that he had for “equality” amongst the believers. Then he continued with the emphasis on being eager and enthusiastic: "For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action." (2 Cor. 9:2) In the Book of Acts we are told that: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." (Acts 4:32)

Paul told the Corinthians about the need for being generous and not giving grudgingly and then said: "Remember this: 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. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' 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. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (2 Cor. 9:6-12)

In 2 Cor. Chapters 8 and 9 there is no appeal here to the tithe as a standard against which to measure our giving. Instead Paul pointed to other believers and to Jesus, whose love moved them to give, first themselves and then money.
Paul taught the Corinthians: "...we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." (2 Cor. 4:14-15)

The Greek word for "grace" is "charis." Kenneth Wuest comments that the word comes to its highest and most exalted content of meaning in the New Testament. It refers to God’s offer of salvation with all that that implies ... offered without any expectation of return, but given out of the bounty and free heartedness of the giver (God) ... there is no room for good works on the part of the sinner as a means whereby he could earn his salvation, or after salvation, whereby he might retain that salvation ... good works naturally issue from and are required by grace.

In the case of material giving Paul exhorted these churches to give to the poor. He personally spear-headed a collection from predominantly Gentile Christians for the needs of mostly Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Yet when he specified the manner in which giving was to be done, he did not follow the Old Testament pattern of a fixed tithe. Rather, he told the Corinthians that “each one should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Cor. 16:2), suggesting proportional giving but leaving the decision about degree or extent to individual determination. In a later letter he reminded them that “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 Cor. 9:7).

The principles we can glean from this situation are that out of love for God and love for others we should willingly and enthusiastically and cheerfully express our generosity. Whatever we do for the Lord, the Church, other Christians and the world our motivation needs to be love and gratitude and joy. Our gifts and our service must proceed from a cheerful heart and we must never give out of compulsion.