Temple Baptist Life

We sure have been hearing a lot about money, finances, taxes, spending, and any number of things that are related to money and the material world. We live in a materialistic society today. My grandparents and parents lived in a different world. I was raised to never buy anything unless you pay cash. Then a young married man in the 60’s I was told I had to establish some credit. I remember the first thing I bought on credit was a set of tools from Sears and Roebuck. By the way, I still have those tools almost 40 years later.

One of the first principles that God teaches is that He owns it all. The first principle is that God is the source of everything. Philippians 4:19 says, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 8:20,21 adds, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” And 2 Corinthians 9:8 says: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” Whenever we need money or possessions, prayer is the answer. Look to the Lord, because He will provide it - according to His will.

A multi-millionaire was asked how he could remain so humble after amassing such wealth. The man had spent many years in accumulating wealth through his business, and could retire if he wanted and even his grandchildren would never have to work if he so desired. But his answer was very key. He replied, “I know who really gave me the money, and that He can take from me at any minute if He so desires.” He was wealthy, because he worked hard and God had granted him success. But he understood who really granted his wealth.

Our culture teaches us that if we do not have the money for what we want or need, we must borrow in order to get it. All that is necessary is that you have enough income to pay the monthly bill. The Bible teaches us that “the borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) God’s word does not encourage borrowing. However, if you must borrow, do it modestly and cautiously, and always repay what is owed. (Psalm 32:21, Proverbs 3:27-28)

Many years ago, a professor from Harvard University was speaking to a class on Columbus Day. He said that there were three profound things about Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America: First, when he left Spain he didn’t know where he was going. Second, when he arrived in the New World he didn’t know where he was. Third, when he returned to Spain he didn’t know where he had been. A voice from the back of the class added, “Yeah, and he did it all on borrowed money!”

It seems like debt is a way of life accepted and embraced today. It is embraced by individuals, businesses and governments around the world. The words billions and trillions are accepted by governments as numbers that are okay for a deficit. Not too many years ago millions used to upset the people, even politicians. I have wondered what has happened with living within your income? It has been proven over and over again that a person’s income is their major financial tool. The lottery and Publishers Clearing House are not the best way to look for security. We must remember that God has set for us a pattern that man is to work for a wage and then live on this wage. That is a tremendous potential to apply to today to our personal budgets and to our national budget.

I heard someone say the other day they lived on a “fixed” income. I thought there are probably some people thinking, “I’d love for my income to be fixed, lately I’ve been thinking it was broken.”

The Bible has always honored working and receiving a wage for the work done. Nothing is wrong with that. However I see in our nation and even around the world the idea that you only work if the income matches your expectations of a certain lifestyle. In other words, if one cannot make a certain amount of money, why work? Won’t the government take care of me? Those we have sent to Washington think government has all the answers. The Scriptures spell it out: “In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23). “He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough” (28:19).

I see in the current administration in the United States the idea that if you have a certain amount you must surrender that and let the government give it to someone else. When I think of this I remembered something Pastor Adrian Rogers (who died in 2005) once said, “You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”

I do believe in helping those who need help, but we have moved to the place where “needy” is defined by politicians who need to secure votes. Our government wants to meet every need so we will be even more dependent on them.

If we apply God’s principles in our finances we will have enough for all our needs. We will have enough to give the way God teaches in the Bible. The world says to give if you can afford it or if you can receive a tax deduction by doing so. In addition, give to the poor through benevolent organizations that can give you a tax receipt. God’s Word says that Christians should give joyfully, willingly, and without coercion. They should provide for every legitimate need within their own fellowships. This could include funds for illness, unemployment, and old age (2 Corinthians 8:14-15.)

Charles Spurgeon was once invited by a wealthy man to come down and preach in a country church in order to help them raise funds to pay a debt. The man told Spurgeon he was free to use his country house, his town house, or his seaside home. Spurgeon wrote back and declined coming and said, ‘Sell one of your homes and pay the debt yourself’.

From Reader’s Digest: It’s time to pay my income tax and, brother, that’s no joke. For after paying IRS I find that I R broke! The average American saves only 4% of his income. The average European saves 16%. The average Japanese person saves 25%. Why do we save so little in America?

Another financial principle from the bible is concerning saving money and setting something aside for a rainy day. Proverbs 21:20 says, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.” And Proverbs 22: 3 emphasizes, “A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

A few years ago, I read about David Letterman, and he was broadcasting his show from Las Vegas. He was doing his opening monologue and he told this joke. He said that he was standing in front of one of the casinos, and a man came up to him looking desperate. “Please!” the man begged frantically. “Could you possibly spare $500. My wife is very sick, and I really need the money to take her to the doctor and to buy her the medicine she needs.” Dave looked at the guy suspiciously, and he asked the man, “Wait a minute! If I give you $500, how do I know you won’t just go into one of the casinos here and gamble it all away?’ The man quickly responded, “Oh no, I wouldn’t do that! I’ve got gambling money!”

Knowing how to manage money is key to survival in our world today. Money is a tool to operate in this world, but it must be handled responsibly and within Biblical principles. The Bible is very clear when it speaks to finances. I challenge you to manage God’s money well.

Glad To Be Your Pastor
Ray Adkins