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by Tonya StonemanSometimes there seems to be too little of it to go around. Cash, that is. On any given day a hard-working person may battle traffic wars, struggle with co-workers, or endure long hours at the office without reward - all for a simple paycheck (often spent before it reaches the bank). If there is anything left over, it will likely get eaten up by mortgage payments, loans, or credit card bills.
Can you relate to this situation? Would your life be better if you could get organized financially? How do people get into financial binds?
They may not realize that God is the true owner of all they have, they may not accurately understand how wealth is acquired, or they might mismanage their money. Frequently, people fall into the trap of separating God from their pocketbooks. The truth is nobody has a good financial situation without the Lord. The Bible has a lot to teach us about fiscal responsibility.
The first step to gaining financial solvency is maintaining a right view of your possessions. The Bible says, "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains" (Psalm 24:1a). God owns it all - you are merely a steward of what He gives you. Every beneficiary of His provision has as responsibility to be a good money manager. The Bible exhorts God's stewards to "know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds" (Proverbs 27:23).
Jesus once told his disciples a parable about a man who entrusted his possessions to his slaves. "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability" (Matthew 25:15a). The slave who had been given five talents invested his and gained five more; the one who had received two did likewise. But the slave who had been given one dug a hole in the ground and hid his money.
When their master returned, he replied to the two who had multiplied their talents, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things" (Matthew 25:21). But he was angry with the slave who had buried his talent.
Making wise investments and gaining interest on savings are sensible ways to make the most of what you are given. As a reliable steward, you can also multiply your provision by being a pro-active manager. Sound financial planning can keep you away from pitfalls and focused on your goals.
Once you understand that your monetary resources have been bequeathed to you by God, you will view the acquisition of wealth with a biblical perspective.
There are diverse ways for a person to obtain money. While contemporary society heavily encourages borrowing, such a practice usually yields a fruitless harvest. God never says, "Pull out any of the three credit cards you have and buy what you want." You can't pay back a debt with plastic.
God is called by many names; one is Jehovah Jirah, "my Provider." Probably the most obvious of God's provisions is your occupation. Other provisions from the Lord may come in the form of gifts or unexpected dividends. The Lord has promised to meet all your needs. However, you must make daily decisions about how you use His provisions. Dr. Stanley suggests five categories (in order of priority) for distributing your wealth.
1. Meeting the needs of your family - The Bible gives a clear mandate to take care of your family. "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8).
2. Giving to the Lord's work - Some of us think, "What is the minimum that I can give to God?" But this kind of thinking is unwise. God promises that if you give, He will bless you. "Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure - pressed down, shaken together, and running over." (Luke 6:38a)
3. Meeting goals God sets for your family - Instead of thinking, "How much money do I have left this month?" think, "God, is this your will for my life?" If you check with Him first before spending, your dollars will go a lot further.
4. Giving to others in need - A young man asked Jesus, "What good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" Jesus instructed him to "go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (Matthew 19:21b).
5. Meeting some of your desires - God does not give to us solely to meet our most fundamental needs, He "richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17b). Be careful with this one; it is last on the list.
With proper stewardship, a modest paycheck can go a long way. By maintaining a biblical approach to your finances, you can exchange money problems for the Lord's blessing.
Tonya Stoneman is a staff writer with In Touch Ministries of Canada.
