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Sunday, March 24, 2013 pm            Money Index

 

THE CHRISTIAN AND MONEY
Questions Answered

 Tonight we conclude our study of the Christian and money.  It is my hope that this study has been beneficial and practical as we have noticed some of what the Bible teaches us about this subject.

We have examined numerous principles to apply as we use the money we have been entrusted with. 

1.       We began with a discussion of materialism and its dangers. 

2.       We have noted that we are stewards with what we have and that one day we will give an accounting.

3.       We discussed how we need to develop a mindset that extends beyond this life.  Matt. 6:19-21.

4.       We discussed the principle of contentment.

 In addition to this we also examined how we ought to use our money and NOT use our money.  WE have discussed how we are expected to share with others, give as we have prospered for the work of the Lord, talked about debt as well as saving for the future. 

We concluded our study addressing the church and its finances and exposed the false gospel of prosperity.  In this final lesson I want to address to miscellaneous questions that are often asked about money in the lives of Christians.

 I.                    May a Christian Declare Bankruptcy?

a.        As we have discussed, we live in a debt riddled society.  We have governments at virtually every example that have set the poorest of examples in managing resources and living within their means.  The mantra of the day is, “Increase the debt ceiling so that we can borrow more.”  The problem is, how are we as citizens going to pay it back (because that is the usual way government gets revenue).   And we as the citizenry have done a poor job of holding them accountable. 
Sadly, governments are not alone as multitudes of households have followed their leaders and incurred debt irresponsibly. 
BUT, the laws of our land allow for one to, under certain circumstances (liberally interpreted), have their debts dismissed or renegotiated through bankruptcy.    These bankruptcy laws were created to protect both the lender and the debtor.  They give the lender reasonable assurance that he will receive what he is owed, but it also provides the debtor opportunity for a fresh start to recover under hardships that are unbearable (sometimes at the hands of unscrupulous lenders or circumstances beyond one’s control).  Whether or not there are legitimate causes for bankruptcy or not, the sad truth is that the intent of the system is greatly abused by too many.

b.       BUT can a Christian seek debt relief through bankruptcy?

                                                   i.      I am not sure I could give the answer for every circumstance, but we should consider what the Bible teaches on this and seriously ask some questions.

                                                  ii.      FIRST, we must consider the principles we have discussed and others. 
1) Have we been good stewards with what we have?
2) Is our debt the result of materialism, lack of self-control, & lack of contentment?  Have we been careless with managing our resources?  In such circumstances to seek dismissal of debt is in violation of virtually every Biblical principle we have discussed and many more.

                                                iii.      There are consequences to sinful conduct (and the decisions we make) – Rom. 6:23, Gal. 6:7, etc.).  WE may not like it, but sometimes those consequences are good in that they are part of the process of making things right and learning from our errors.  Even God chastens us, in ways we may not understand, but for our good (Heb. 12:3-11). 
My point is that if you have been reckless with your finances, bankruptcy is helping you escape the consequences of sin or finding an easy way out of taking responsibility.

                                                iv.      Romans 13:8 says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another.”  WE have discussed how it may not be wrong to borrow provided you are paying back your loans as agreed (in essence you don’t own a debtor anymore today, but in the next billing cycle it will become due).  BUT how can you say that if you seek relief to get out of your responsibility to pay back a debt?

                                                  v.      As one source says, WE cannot act in that way and expect that God will hold us blameless.

                                                vi.      Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.”

                                               vii.      We must also consider what TRUE repentance involves.  2 Cor. 7:10-11 – what are you doing to prove yourself clear in the matter?  NOTE: Repentance is NOT designed to be easy.

                                             viii.      BUT what about one whose debt is not because of carelessness and sinful conduct?  The debt was incurred beyond his control.  Someone who is the victim of fraud, or one who has incurred medical expenses, or one who is the victim of unscrupulous lenders, etc.?

1.       Let’s suppose there is a legitimate case, just for the sake of example.

2.       First, there are other means to pursue.  Fraud needs to be pursued through other avenues, as would be true with unscrupulous lenders.

3.       Second, there is renegotiation.  That is not wrong.  That is two parties sitting down and reaching an agreement of settlement where one does not experience total loss.  In this case, the lender agrees to FORGIVE your debt (or a portion of it) provided you meet certain circumstances.

4.       Third, our laws have different types of bankruptcy.  One type is simply a restructuring that is determined by the courts where you DO pay your debts, but according to a schedule dictated by the courts.

5.       Fourth, even if such provides temporary relief, as a Christian, you still have a debt you need to make right (or have it forgiven by the lending party).  In other words, you must still do your best to repay what you borrowed.  We are not the world and we should not act like the world or use the world’s laws to get out of responsibilities. 

                                                ix.      These are my thoughts on this challenging subject.

 II.                  Is it ok to play the lottery? What about raffles?

a.        In a previous lesson we discussed the subject of gambling as a sinful use of one’s money.  For many they see this as going to a casino or one who excessively gambles.  But what about buying an occasional lottery ticket?  Can a Christian participate in the lottery?  “And if I win, think of all the good I can do.”

b.       The reason gambling is sinful is because of various Biblical principles.  It is NOT good stewardship (Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 4:1-2).  It is a product of covetousness (Heb. 13:5, Col. 3:5 & Eph. 5:3-5).  It is NOT a legitimate means of obtaining income (i.e. work, gift, wise investments, or fair exchange – Eph. 4:28).  The goal is to profit at the loss of others.  If such things would make casino gambling sinful, why would playing the lottery be any different?

c.        Consider also the lottery itself.

                                                   i.      Often lotteries are promoted as relief for good causes (such as education, public safety, etc.)  They do this so that, #1 – voters will approve of it, and #2 to increase sales.  They will promise the profits will go to these select groups.  BUT invariably, they find a way to take it away through the back door, usually by decreasing funding on the back end.  If you do not believe this to be true, in spite of the massive jackpots promoted by lotteries, whenever the government wants more taxes they threaten to take away funding from education and public safety first.  I am not saying this to make a political statement BUT to demonstrate the corruption involved in lotteries and gambling enterprises.  As Christians we should NOT voluntarily support corrupt entities.  Eph. 5:11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

                                                  ii.      Another problem with the lottery is that is funded in large part by those who cannot afford to gamble and those with gambling problems.  The poor are naturally drawn by the lure of advertising, desperation, hope of hitting it big one day and other causes (for some it is addiction).   In a PBS report that aired last year (March 30, 2012) Jeffrey Brown reported that households earning 13,000 or less spent on average about 9% of their income on the lottery.[1] Note that the number is debated and sources vary from 3-9%.  Do we consider that if we participate in the lottery we are supporting such ungodly behavior? 

                                                iii.      Another reason people gamble, including participating in the lottery is for the thrill of the draw – the physiological feeling.  These are the problems people with addictions have to deal with.  Have you ever wondered why EVERY lottery ticket and scratch-off card has a number for dealing with it?  Do you ever wonder why there is an age limit for gambling, including the lottery?  Is such really a product of godliness and Christian behavior?  

                                                iv.      Also, it is pure foolishness.  The odds of winning a huge lottery jackpot are astronomical.  They say about 1 in 175,000,000.  The odds are so great that you are 50 times more likely to be struck by lightning or 17 times more likely to be hit by a falling airplane part than to win the jackpot.  The odds of winning a jackpot in a slot machine (which is associated with “the bad gambling”) are much better.

d.       “But I only buy what I can afford and recreationally.”  Perhaps the majority of lottery tickets are purchased by “responsible” parties and with limits.  BUT, does that change the principles previously discussed.

e.       Furthermore, participating in the lottery is questionable at best! Even if you can justify it in your mind, It sets a poor example and is of the world.  Is this not something that you can give up in service to God?

f.         Proverbs 28:20, 22, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”  “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not  consider that poverty will come upon him.”

g.        Another question that sometimes arises is raffles for charity. Many school functions now seek to raise a little money with a 50/50 drawing (they sell tickets and 50% of the money raised is awarded to a single or multiple winners).  Others offer prizes, sometimes huge and sell tickets.  Are such things acceptable?

                                                   i.      While the intentions in such circumstances are good, and quite honestly most who participate don’t care if they win because of the cause, there are still concerns.  For example: Is it something that you can engage in with absolute certainty that it is right?

                                                  ii.      You must STILL consider the principles of gambling.  How much has to be wagered for these principles to be in effect?

                                                iii.      IF it is a charity that you are truly concerned about, why not just donate money without it going into a questionable activity.

                                                iv.      Also consider that by not participating, you are setting an example about commitment to principles.  It could lead to opportunities to teach as others observe your conduct.

 

  III.                How does God bless us today?

a.        Our last 2 lessons in this study exposed the false “health and wealth” gospel which says God wants to give us whatever we want in this life and to materially prosper.  This might prompt us to ask, if that is false then how does God bless us today?

b.       There are some who believe that God does not do anything today, even providentially, upon this earth.  While I do believe that in general He lets this world unfold and actions take their course, I am not ready to rule out that He still can and does work today (though not miraculously).  He is able to providentially act (and just as powerfully as if it were miraculous).  But providence, by its very nature, means that we cannot definitively say something is the hand of God.  In a future lesson, I intend to address the subject of providence (as it has been requested). 

c.        That having been said, how does God bless us today?

                                                   i.      First, God has blessed us with His spiritual blessings – Ephesians 1:3.  He sent Jesus to die and therein we have hope.  Prov. 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”  This is really all that God has promised.  Spiritual blessings means those things associated with serving Him – i.e. being a Christian, the hope of heaven, the avenue of prayer, peace, godly brethren to build us up, etc.

                                                  ii.      Second, God blesses us through His word.  NOT just the wisdom of His word, but also through our application of His word.  AS A RULE, when we obey Him it will lead to a better life in things that matter.  2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that He has given us through scripture what we need to be complete for every good work.  James 1:25 says, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”   I could give numerous examples.  For example:  We handle whatever comes our way better (though we may not get rich or even get what we think we need) – 1 Cor. 10:13.
When we work (see Eph. 4:28) we feel good about it (as opposed to expecting others to take care of us).  When we avoid various immoral activities we avoid the heartaches and consequences that often accompany them.  Good tongue control is always helpful.  Etc.

                                                iii.      Third, he hears our prayers and answers them. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us that if we ask according to His will, He hears us.  It does NOT say he gives us everything we want.
We must understand that God knows what is best and sometimes He gives us what we need (not what we want or think we need) or withholds because He knows better.  Sometimes the answer comes in a different form (for example: We might say, “God teach me patience!”  And He does, THOUGH adversity.)

                                                iv.      Fourth consider that all God has promised us in this life is to take care of us (Matt. 6:25-33).  Paul told us to be content with clothing and food (and the implication was just enough!) – 1 Tim. 6:6-8.  Proverbs 30:8-9 tells us, “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of the Lord My God.”

                                                  v.      Fifth, sometimes we don’t recognize God’s blessings.  What may actually be a blessing is not realized till later, if at all. Joseph is a good example of this – Gen. 50:19-20.  Also consider Paul in Philemon 15-16 where Paul said of Onesimus, “Perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever.”

                                                vi.      Finally, as we consider God’s blessings we must NOT forget our overall goal – to prepare for eternity.  That means that it is not about getting what we want in this life, but living so that we will attain eternal glory in the next.  AS an example we notice Philippians 3:7-11  “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

 More could be said about these subjects, but this is sufficient for the time.   If you have questions about how to use what you have been entrusted with, seek answers through His word.  But do so with an honest mind (in preparing this study I have come across resources that abuse passages about God’s blessings, justify bankruptcy, say that some forms of gambling are acceptable, etc.)  

And thus I commend this study to you.  May we strive to be good and faithful stewards so that when we stand before Him and give an accounting for our lives, He will say, “Well done good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joys of your Lord.”  AS we conclude I will simply ask again, WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?  Think about it!