How Should Christians Use Their Money?

 

Introduction.  There are some still living that can remember the period known to history as the “Great Depression.”  This economic collapse, during which one out of every four people lost jobs, the stock market crashed, and many committed suicide in the face of financial ruin is the worst financial crisis in recent history.  While I was not alive during those years, the economic crisis which has come in the last few years is the worst that my generation has ever known.  Many have seen their retirement accounts plunge in value, many have lost jobs, and certain financial demands have hot the family budget as many have not experienced before.

            In light of this current situation, the elders asked me some time back if I would do a lesson on the subject of how a Christian should use his or her money.  There is no question, whether we are talking about marriage relationships or political affairs the use of money is often a source of great conflict and hardship.  Yet, as with all things, the Bible can offer us guidelines to help us determine how the Lord would have us to use our money.

 

I.  Priorities.  Let’s start our consideration by looking at a few priorities which must govern all of our decisions about money.

• We cannot serve God and Mammon (Matthew 6:24).
• The love of money is a root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

 

II.  Giving.  God has not given us resources and the ability to earn a living purely for our own benefit.

• We are given skill to work to have something to give to others (Ephesians 4:28).
• Giving in the church is to he offered with purpose of heart (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
• The size of the gift is not what makes it acceptable to the Lord (Mark 12:41-44).

• We are to do good to all, as we have opportunity (Galatians 6:10).
• We will reap as we have sown (2 Corinthians 9:6).

 

III.  Stewardship.  The steward of Bible times was a servant entrusted with the Master’s goods, and held responsible for the use of these goods (cf. Parable of the Talents).

·         All that we are given is a trust from God (Psalm 24:1).

·         Man is given authority over his possessions (Acts 5:3-4).

·         Excessive dept is a trap Christians should avoid (Prov. 22:26-27).

·         Christians must honor their financial commitments (Matthew 5:33-37).

·         Christians must not presume what we cannot know (James 4:13-16).

 

IV.  Leisure & Entertainment. In spite of the responsibilities we have regarding our money it is not that God does not want us to have any enjoyment from  the work we are given to do.

• God may deny blessings fueled by desires (James 4:1-3).
• It is good for God’s people to enjoy fruits of their labor (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20).
• Christians look for more than “passing pleasures” (Heb. 11:24-26)