Sunday, July 22, 2012 pm
THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
The Godly Use of Money
a.
There were many wealthy individuals who were also godly
– Abraham (Gen. 13:2, 24:35), Isaac (Gen. 26:12-14), Job (Job. 1:1-5,
42:14-17), David (1 Chron. 29:28) – the point, it is not sinful to be
wealthy. As we have noted on
numerous occasions, it is how you use what you have.
Remember that money is morally neutral.
b.
The Israelites give to
finance the building of the tabernacle – the tabernacle was built with the “free-will” offerings of the nation
of Israel at Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 36:2-7 records how when the people were asked to give they kept
brining it every morning to the point that the craftsmen told Moses,
“The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work
which the Lord commanded us to do.
So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed
throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let neither man nor woman do any more work
for the offering of the sanctuary.’
And the people were restrained from brining, for the material
they had was sufficient for all the work to be done – indeed too much.”
(vs. 5-7)
OH, what a dilemma!
TOO much! We have
here an example of a good work to honor God (that He authorized) and the
people give so much they have to be restrained.
c.
David – he
certainly was not a perfect man, but he was godly.
There were times that perhaps his wealth led to moral failures,
BUT on other occasions he is a great example of the godly management of
resources. Toward the end of
his life when he seeks to sacrifice to God, because God had forgiven him
of a sin, he desires to purchase a field from Ornan.
Ornan offers to give him the field to which David replies, “No,
but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is
your for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings which that which costs me
nothing.” (1 Chron. 21:24)
David here demonstrates an
understanding of sacrifice and is willing to surrender some of
his wealth to serve God.
d.
Nehemiah
– Neh. 5:14-19. Not only did
Nehemiah inspire the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he was in
a position to tax them as governor for 12 years.
. BUT, instead, he
did not eat “the governor’s provisions” (that which they were entitled
to by the people). He also
used his wealth to fed many of the nation and visitors.
because of his wealth, he did not take a salary from the people
because he knew they were suffering.
Here you find compassion for
people that are heavily burdened by taxes and society.
e.
Joseph of Arimathea–
Matt. 27:57-60. After the
death of Jesus, Joseph, described as a rich man, who was a prominent
council member (Mark. 15:43, John 19:38), went to Pilate requesting the
body of Jesus for a proper burial.
He wraps Him in linens and lays Him in his own new tomb.
In so doing, he showed honor for
the godly and for God and a willingness to use his wealth for such.
f.
Barnabas – “which is translated ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36-37) along with
others who are unnamed, had property that he sold and laid the money for
it at the apostles’ feet to give to the needy of their number.
He served as an example of godly character.
Here we don’t just find an example
of helping the poor, but one who sold things of value to do so!
g.
The Philippian church
– Philippians 4:14-17 – they supported Paul in his preaching on more
than one occasion.
Here we find using our resources
to support the furthering of the gospel.
h.
The churches of
Macedonia – 2
Cor. 8:1-5 – Paul described their deep poverty and how it abounded in
“the riches of their liberality.”
There were needy brethren, and they thought about them before
themselves. The implication
is they sacrificed to help their needy brethren, many of whom they had
never met.
We have here an example of godly
benevolence by churches.
i.
Cornelius –
Acts 10:1-2, the first Gentile convert was known for his generosity to
others. He gave alms to the
poor, among other things.
j.
A centurion near Capernaum
- Luke 7:1-5.
This is an account in the life of Jesus where He heals the
servant of the centurion.
The Jews came to Jesus because this was a good man who had built a
synagogue for the people.
Obviously, he saw a need and
helped with it.
k.
Dorcas – made
garments for the poor. In
Joppa, Peter raises Dorcas (Tabitha) from the dead.
There was great mourning over her death because she helped widows
and made tunics and garments for them (Acts 9:36-39).
Here is simply an example of godly
benevolence for the needy.
l.
Paul’s willingness to
help out Onesimus – Philemon 17-19 where Paul tells Philemon to change
whatever wrong Onesimus has committed to his account.
Think about what Paul said he was willing to do on this occasion.
How far would we go in helping
someone who is truly deserving?
a.
As with ungodly uses of
our money, there are many examples of how to properly use our money.
This lesson (and the previous one on the sinful use of money)
will be the springboard for many of the things we will discuss in
greater detail as our study continues to develop.
In the meantime, let us briefly notice some proper uses of our
money as Christians.
b.
Giving to help the
Lord’s work
– 1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor.
9:6-8. Clearly Christians
ought to give. Under the Old
Law, the Israelites were to tithe to support the priesthood and temple.
While we do not have the specific tithe today, we do have
instructions to follow. More
to come in greater detail.
c.
Helping others – a pivotal conduct of Christians is our need to help others.
In our lesson this morning we discussed doing good for all,
especially our brethren. (Gal. 6:10).
James 1:27 speaks of pure and undefiled religions including
“visiting” orphans and widows in their distress.
In Galatians 2:10, after the discussion recorded in Acts 15, among the
instructions the apostles gave was that they desired only that we should
“remember the poor, the very thing which I was eager to do.”
Eph. 4:28 is interesting as it says, “Let him who stole steal no longer,
rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may
have something to give him who has need.”
d.
Saving
– as we examine scripture and note the importance of planning in our
lives, we find some precedence for saving (responsibly).
The one talent man was told that he should have at least put his
money in the bank so that he would receive interest (Matt. 25:27).
put money in the bank to receive interest.
Prov. 21:20, “There is
desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish
man squanders it.”
Prov. 13:11, “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who
gathers by labor will increase.”
Prov. 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s
children…”
e.
Paying taxes
– Both Jesus and Paul said we HAVE TO pay our taxes – Matt. 22:15-22,
Rom. 13:5-7. Whether we like
it or not, it is commanded and therefore a good thing.
While we may disagree with many things our government is doing
with the taxes they receive,
there are many things they do provide that are good (protection – both
police and national security), relief for the legitimately needy,
education, etc. And no
matter what we think, the command to pay taxes is still there, and it is
regardless of our personal feelings.
f.
Providing for one’s needs – Husbands and fathers are to provide for their families.
WE have discussed this role in the home in great detail.
1 Tim. 5:8 is very specific when it says, “But
if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his
household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
g.
Paying wages for goods and services – one of the things the rich were condemned for by
James was their failure to pay wages due.
James 5:1-4 speaks of some who failed to pay wages for work done.
Under the Old Law they were to make payment that day, even for aliens
(Lev. 19:13, Deut. 24:14-15).
Obviously, if such is condemned, it is a godly use of our money
to pay for goods and services.
1 Tim. 5:18 says, “the
laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Employers are commanded to treat their employees properly
(Colossians 4:1 – “Masters, give
your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a
Master in heaven.”, cf. Eph. 6:9)
h.
Paying your bills
– Psalm 37:21, “The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and
gives.”
Romans 13:8 says, “Owe
no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has
fulfilled the law.” In
our last lesson we discussed briefly how debt can be sinful (more to
come in another lesson). It
is obvious that if we have borrowed, we need to pay back and that is a
godly thing.