Finances: Part 1
Increase
When I first began a time of working in Latin American missions, I was studying at a Spanish language school. An experienced missionary there told me something I have never forgotten.
He said that although God had called me to missionary work, He had not necessarily called my children. However, since they were my children and therefore my responsibility and since they were very young they, of course, had to go with me. Since this was not the life that they had chosen, God was going to do special things for them. I think that, in the many years that have followed, I can see that God has indeed done special things for them.
During the season that I was living in Mexico I needed to come to the U.S. to attend to some important business. A friend loaned me the use of his home that he was not in for a few days. While there I found a Bible and was reading a passage, at random, which happened to be Psalm 115. Everything was normal until I got to verse 14. If you are familiar with the use of a computer, it seemed like one of those unexpected pop-up windows lunged at me. This one verse seemed to literally jump off the page at me. I heard no voice but it seemed to shout at me,
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children!
I was startled. After my heartbeat returned to normal, I perceived that God was maybe trying to tell me something. I think it may have been something along the lines of, He was promising to bring increase to my children.
When we see the Scriptures promise us increase, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Money!
Well, I was kind of thinking about increasing the wisdom needed to maneuver through life. What should I eat? What should I stay away from? Practical things that can make our life a success or not.
Success?
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Jos 1:8)
What is the first thing we think of when we hear success?
Money!
Yes, it is certainly needed, but I was thinking about being able to have the resources and the enabling to accomplish what God has set before us. That is, our assigned task in this life.
Suppose I need to clean out the garage. I intend to get it done by lunch time on Friday. If it turns out to be a bigger job than I expected, I might not get done by noon. I was not successful.
Let us say that I get the garage cleaned by 10:30. Success! What does success mean? It means that I was able to reach the previously set goal. I was successful in cleaning the garage by lunch time. What does success in any of life mean? It means I was able to meet the aforementioned goal.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. (Ps 122:6)
What is the first thing we think of when we read the word prosper?
Money!
I think we were supposed to expect peace and quietness since we are asking that for others.
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen 12:3)
We all want to be blessed. Why? What is the first thing that we think of when we hear the word blessed?
Money!
I don't think God has money in mind every time he says something. While it is necessary to live and accomplish most things, God sees something else as valuable. To bless means to speak good and affirming things that come out of a heartfelt desire to see the other person's well being and enabling to maneuver properly through life.
One of the United States' early statesmen reportedly said,
“Give me money or give me death!”
(There is some debate about what he actually said.)
The Pharisees of Jesus' day were lovers of money (John 16:14). There are greedy people today, both rich and poor. Some people have a lot of money. Some people do not have a single dollar. Almost everyone has the instinctive love of it.
What is this love of money all about? Why does it eclipse everything else? It seems to be related to the first sin of mankind in Eden. We do not want God to decide for us what we need. We want money so we can decide for ourselves what we should have, and then go get it. Money (and an abundance of material things) speaks of our independence from God.
So, is money evil? Many will point out that is not money, but rather the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10). Alright. Then as soon as they quote that scripture verse they immediately go back to loving money!
Note: I realize that so many people are seeing tough economic times in the U.S. right now. Things that were doable just a couple of years ago are now nearly impossible for many people. In the next part I want to look at money again.
April 22, 2024