Biblical Finances
The Key to understanding God’s will in finances is the proper understanding of stewardship. The Following is Webster’s definition of a steward.
Stewardship - One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.
We are merely stewards of what God entrusts to us, he may entrust as much or as little as he sees fit. We will never take ownership of what he has entrusted to us.
If we as Christians can accept that roll as stewards of what God has entrusted to us and manage those resources according to his direction, God will continue to entrust even more to us. But let me ask you this why would he entrust more to one who began to hoard or felt he was the owner? Why would he entrust more to someone who abused what he was already entrusted with? Moreover until Christians acknowledge God’s total ownership, we can’t experience God’s direction in financial management.
Matthew 25:14-30
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him, which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
What was the keynote of this parable? Stewardship. Each using his ability, managing his master’s resources well, and returning them to him.
Let’s compare the parable of stewardship to that found in Luke 12:16-20
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And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
In Luke 12:25-34 God tells us how we can become his stewards. Lets have a look.
Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
God uses money in a Christian’s life to direct him. If we are seeking His wisdom, he promises to supply it. But understand that God’s will doesn’t always coincide with our wishes. God will often withhold funds in order to teach us a lesson. All to often Christians strike out on their own without clear direction from God. Not only does this violate the principles found in Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,” but those who do it regularly haven’t truly accepted God’s wisdom as superior.
Lets take a look at handling money Gods way.
Trust
In Matthew 6:32-33, God makes a promise to us. Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
1. What does this mean to you in your own words?
2. What does God require of you first?
What can we trust God for if we are in His will?
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Luke 16:11 - If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
God expects certain things from us. Luke 16:11
Inwardly many Christians fail to trust God because they believe that God wants to deprive them and punish them. What does Matthew 7:11 Promise?
Matthew 7:11 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
The above verse demonstrates God’s love for us.
God wants us to know that he can do what he says he can.
Romans 10:11-12 - For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Whoever believes will not be disappointed.
God does not discriminate.
Who can precipitate in God’s riches? Everyone that believes in him.
God uses material possessions to unify the Body of Christ.
Second Corinthians 8:14 has a two fold message.
2 Corinthians 8:14 - But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
2 Corinthians 8:15 Describes God’s plan for our surpluses. 2 Corinthians 8:15 - As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
TOO MUCH + TOO LITTLE = ENOUGH
One of the most important characteristic of a Christian’s commitment is patience. It is virtually impossible to be obedient and impatient at the same time. God will use resources (money), as one of the tests of our obedience to His will rather than our own.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - KJV Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
What is the primary message to you of the above verse?
One of the biggest witnesses to a non-Christian is the use of money. Its one thing to say you love others but do you show that love?
Deuteronomy 15:11 - For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Matthew 24:45 - Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Christ compares those in need to? (Compare with Deuteronomy 15:11)
This ends tonight’s lesson. Next week we will be discussing The Perils of Money