154. THE BIBLE ON MONEY Psalm 62:10.

Let us settle this once and for all. If you are a committed Christian, you should know and understand that everything you have has come from God, Not as a gift that you can do whatever you like with, but as a loan from God to a trusted borrower to be used as He directs. These are gifts, or blessings and come with certain conditions Here are some of His directives. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11) –Paul says “Remember this, A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get only a small crop. But the one who plants generously, will get a generous crop’. Now, that’s pretty basic to understand, So what Paul is saying I believe is this; If God is trusting you with a small amount, He will only expect a small amount from you, this is our first testing ground; Will we give God any, out of the little we have or will we say ‘This is hardly enough for me let alone give some away’ Five small loves and a few fish were never going to be enough to feed five thousand people. But when they were offered up to God, He multiplied it. Two pennies from a destitute woman were not going to buy any oil for the temple lamps or feed the number of poor in Jerusalem, yet Jesus said of her “That widow woman has given more than anyone else.” We are not told, but we can be sure that when God saw she had given all she had He blessed her abundantly. Why? Because she knew God wouldn’t let her down. The Roman tax wasn’t going to be paid from Jesus’ empty pockets. No! It came out of the mouth of a fish at the word of God. Not until what we have gets into God’s hands can He multiply it. This is one of the first practical tests we must pass in our Christian walk. (Faith and Trust) To do business with God, He has to see your sincerity, words are not enough; actions prove your sincerity. You and I are the ones who have to get out of the boat, we have to be prepared to give our last dollar, before we see God at work. we Have to open our mouths and speak the words of Scripture so that The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. It is for us to know God’s attitude regards money, clothes, food, houses and stuff which are only commodities they have no life or value in themselves, but in God’s hands and with Jesus’ prayer they become a blessing. When we give what we treasure to Him God uses it for His purposes. God doesn’t need our treasures or money and miracles are His forte so why all this fuss about money and stuff? Answer, Because it’s the number one thing that takes us away from God. Satan has convinced us that if we have enough of the good things of life, we wont need God. But I challenge you to find just one person who thinks they have enough of those good things. No! Satan uses money and stuff as a lure, or an enticement to get us away from God, by enticing us to imagine that if we have enough we wont have a need for our Creator God. But, he doesn’t tell us that we will never have enough Therefore striving to have “Whatever you absolutely must have” for your retirement for your children, for your satisfaction whatever it may be, becomes a must have Idol. While God is saying… “I have loved you with an everlasting love. Neither you nor your children have lacked in food, clothing, footwear or anything, yet you don’t trust me. Are we building “bigger barns”? If we are, we can expect the same words from The Lord “Thou Fool, this day…” Idolatry was the problem in the Old Testament and it’s no different today, Don’t think it wont happen to me or you, better people than us have fallen victim to Satan and his wilds. learn to practise trust in God and reap the reward. So Paul continues “You must each decide in your own heart how much to give., and don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure for God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will provide generously all you require. Then, you will have all you need and plenty left over to share with others as the scripture says ‘ they share freely and give generously to the poor and their good deeds will be remembered forever’ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer. In the same way He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” God will see what you can be trusted with, starting with small things, and slowly He will increase His blessings as He sees your trust in His increase. But these blessings come with certain conditions (Deuteronomy 8:17-19) Tells us, “Don’t try to claim the credit:-:- God told the Israelites,”You may say to yourself… ‘My hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember The Lord...For it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.. If you ever forget...You will surely be destroyed.” (2 Don’t Forget others:- In (1Timothy 6:17-19) The Bible COMMANDS “Those who are rich in this present world… to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. COMMANDS (Not an option) them to do good, to be rich in good deeds...generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves.” (3) Don’t become arrogant :- Jeremiah admonishes us in ( Jeremiah 9:23-24) “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong of their strength... or the rich… of their riches. But let the one who boasts, boast of this that they have the understanding to know me, that I am The Lord,” (4) Don’t allow any person place or thing to take God’s place in your life:- (Proverbs 30:8-9) “Give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread, otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say ‘Who is the Lord.” Remember this, You don’t own anything (nothing) you are just an administrator of God’s estate and an executer of His will, it’s a responsibility, so do your best job. One day you will definitely be asked to give an account not only for how you have spent the Kings money, but also for all that He has so freely bestowed upon you. Think very seriously about this. Matter, Life is short. (Psalm 62:10) Gives us another condition or serious warning, “Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the centre of your life.” this verse means if we are seeking God’s blessings in our finances we must be truthful with God, generous with the poor, and honest in our financial dealings with everyone, from the tax Dept. to the local garage sale. And when God blesses you, remember the times when you were poor, and needed help, God blessed you. So give someone a helping hand even if it costs you, Then you will see God generously bless you. Be generous with your time, energy and food. Having had a big family, I remember just how much I appreciated it when someone offered to babysit for us, or take the younger children off my hands for an afternoon so I could have a rest or go shopping without them. Or when John was away a neighbour would offer to mow the lawn or do a bit of gardening, and the times when someone else offered to give me a ride to church on a Sunday I was so grateful. Also when John was in hospital with his heart condition, so many people came round with meals and baking for me and my family. I will never forget the kindness of so many friends and neighbours and I’m sure God doesn’t either. I often pray their blessings will be enhanced. There is one other way we can share our blessings with others, It’s by praying for them. Even though we may not have a personal relationship with them. They may go to the same Church, Supermarket or Library as you do, I believe, If God has put them in your sights it’s for a reason, so say a prayer for them, just maybe, they have a need, that only God in His Grace and Mercy can meet, a prayer never gets ignored or wasted. Thank you for reading these few words on The money, goods and time we have been entrusted with. Remember one day we will be asked to give an account for how we used God’s blessings. God Bless and keep us in His love. Phaline. ---------------------------