Money Matters
You may think, in the eternal scheme of things that money doesn’t really matter. For the committed Christian who cares about the eternal destiny of others, that is just not true. Money really does matter. Money may not seem like a very spiritual issue. After all, if you don’t have enough money to give so that the gospel can be preached, it won’t keep you from going to heaven. But, it could keep others from going.
Having enough money to meet your own needs and enough left to give to the kingdom of God is a serious issue. For the first time in many years doors are opening in Vietnam to share the gospel message. China is in a period of training pastors to teach and train the thousands of people who are coming to know Christ every day. There are people around the world who need to hear about the love of God. There are also opportunities to share the love of God with people in our local area. But to take full advantage of these opportunities it takes money.
As believers, we must know that being blessed in your finances is not an accident. For a Bible believing Christian it is not based on the economy or present circumstances. According to God’s Word being blessed in your finances is a choice. It is a personal decision and a spiritual process.
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Deut. 28:1
Does that sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t. That is the blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants. According to Galatians 3:29 the blessing promised to Abraham is ours if we belong to Christ Jesus. That is good news to you and me as Christians!
However, Deut. 28:1 clearly states that financial blessing does not come to you because you are a good person and you love God. It comes because you are careful to follow His commands. That means you must spend time day after day, listening to and acting on what God’s Word says regarding your finances and other areas of your life.
Tithing or giving ten percent of your income is an act of trust. It is saying by your actions, “As I put God first in my finances, I trust Him to take care of my needs and give me wisdom in my finances.” The Biblical basis for tithing is found throughout God’s Word. One familiar scripture on tithing is found in Malachi 3:10. God actually says we can test or prove Him in the area of tithing and watch Him work in our finances.
Mal 3:10-12
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. NIV
You and I have the ability to connect to God’s abundant supply as we are obedient with our money. That is part of God’s plan for you. Dare to believe in the goodness of God in the area of your finances and you will discover that God not only desires to bless you but to also work through your finances so you can be a blessing to others.