Jump Start # 3828
Proverbs 18:11 “A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination.”
For the past several Tuesdays I have been teaching a class on Proverbs. I teach it twice on Tuesdays. In the mornings for those who can come and the same class in the evening for those who couldn’t make it in the morning. It makes for a long day, but it is very enjoyable. Recently we looked at the contrast between the lazy and the diligent and from that sprang the topic of money. The lazy does not have money because he is lazy.
Many are uncomfortable talking about money in Bible classes. They feel that doesn’t belong. Those that say that forget that Jesus said more about riches and money than He did about Heaven. Sprinkled all throughout the gospel of Luke are images of wealth. The rich young ruler. The rich man and Lazarus. The rich farmer who was tearing down his barns. Even little Zaccheus is defined as being rich. Solomon had a lot to say about money in both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Some of the heroes of the Bible were men of wealth. Abraham. Lot. Job. Joseph of Arimathea.
What we learn through the Scriptures is that it is not so much about what you have, but what has you. The wrong attitudes about money can twist and even ruin our faith. It takes money to survive. The kingdom needs money to spread the Gospel message. Our Lord was supported by wealthy women who believed in Him.
So, we need not throw a fit when the preacher wants to address the topic of money in a class or sermon. In fact, we do a grave in justice by not teaching properly about money matters. Living paycheck to paycheck may work as long as you have paychecks coming in, but once they stop, there is a problem. Not understanding money principles can create future benevolent issues for a congregation. Grown children are to take care of their aging parents and that may include financially. How rarely do we talk about such things.
The reformer Martin Luther said that there are three conversions that must take place. The conversion of the heart, the mind and the wallet. Stingy giving because we want to spend our money on ourselves isn’t the mindset of a disciple. The Lord has been generous to us and so ought we to be. Many moderns could not be a good Samaritan for the fact that they don’t have any money themselves.
There are three components about money that we need to understand and teach to others:
First, make money without neglecting your soul. To that, we would include neglecting your family and neglecting your congregation. “I have to work,” can be an excuse to hide behind. When applying for a job, it ought to be stated up front that you need off to worship your God. Some make more overtime by working on a Sunday, and they do that by choice, not because they have to. Work can quickly and easily become the god that we serve. It is not. Work can be viewed as your life. It is not. You need money. You need to make money. But, you need to do it honestly. Don’t chase get rich quick schemes. Stay away from gambling and the lottery. No financial planners include gambling in a program to make money. When you work, work as for the Lord, as the Colossians were told. Be honest in your work. Don’t do what others do, play around, waste time, cheat the system. By your integrity and hard work, you’ll likely be noticed and advanced.
Second, spend money without it defining you. Buying things you can afford is not wrong. Enjoying the perks of having money is not wrong. Going on trips, going to shows, having decent cars is all fine, if first you can afford them and then you realize that they do not make you better than others. Do not use these things to brag or make people jealous. It’s not what you have, but what has you that defines you. The world likes to define success by the type of watch, car or neighborhood you live in. God defines a person by whether they are following Him or not. Don’t be so tight with your money that it stresses you to spend it.
Third, save money without ignoring others and the kingdom. You need an emergency fund. Things break. You need to not run to credit cards, or debt, to fix things. You need to consider retirement, and that includes us preachers. But all around us are opportunities to help others. Being generous allows the kingdom to expand. Be mindful of how you can help others.
Our verse today is tied up in the last expression, “his own imagination.” It is in his mind that he thinks he is secure. It is in his mind that he thinks the future is certain. Money comes and money goes. Poor Lazarus, laying at the rich man’s gate, had no one and nothing to help him. But on the other side of that door of death, he found the peace, comfort and riches of his faith.
A successful businessman can make a terrible shepherd. The church isn’t run by giving orders, commanding people but rather, leading. Some of the best shepherds are simple, common people.
There are three things you can do with money. Earn it. Spend it. Save it. Earn it, with God in mind. Spend it with God in mind. Save it with God in mind. It’s not picking one of these three options to follow—it’s all three. Earn, spend and save with God in mind. Use money as a help for the kingdom.
Money—it matters. It matters how we get it. It matters how we spend it. It matters how we save it. And, mostly, it matters what it does to us.
Roger