We have all heard the expression, "There are two sides to every coin." When people use this expression they are asking us to consider a different perspective; a perspective we may not have considered. This happens in marriage counseling. You talk to the husband, but then you talk to the wife. Or you talk to a child, but then you talk to the parents.
Consider God's perspective on your personal finances.
Its important that we consider both sides of every coin.Nowhere is this more important than with money or financial matters. On one side of every piece of currency, whether coin or cash, is an important building or national symbol. Among other things these symbols represent our right to own land and personal property. Material things. If we manage our finances correctly, we own our houses and cars. But if we don’t manage our finances correctly, these things own us! We can easily become slaves to debt and lenders. As the Bible says, we can reach a point where we worship and serve created things rather than our creator who is forever praised!
It’s important that we carefully consider God’s perspective on material things. And we need to learn how to keep things in proper pespective. We are going to discuss these subjects next Sunday. But there are two sides to every coin, right? On the other side of every piece of currency is a picture of a very important person, apresident of the United States! But there are a lot of important people in our lives. These people are far more important to us personally than a president. Who else is money for, if not to help the most important people in our lives? Our friends, our families? But just whose face is on our currency? Sometimes it’s our own face engraved on our money. Instead of the having the name of a president we could write, "Me. This money is for me, my interests, my ambitions, my security, and my livelihood."
Sometimes it’s the name of our family that is engraved on our money, or the name of someone who is important to us. And that person becomes the sole object of our generosity. "I love my wife, my children, my relatives, and my girlfriend." The Bible teaches that one of our first priorities is taking care of our families.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) says, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse off than an unbeliever." But this is just the tip of the iceberg. God doesn’t want us just to take care of the people who are important to us! He wants us to take care of the people who are important to him. And that includes widows, orphans, the poor, sick, naked, prisoners, and even our enemies. It includes the Church and those serving God’s kingdom on the mission field.
The third side of the coin: "In God We Trust."
You might be tempted to think that we have covered all the bases. But there are actually "three" sides to every coin. The third side is just less tangible, so we forget about it. The third side of every coin is written on every piece of currency. "In God We Trust."
If we cannot learn to trust God, we will always be serving money.And money makes for a terrible master. When we trust in money, money becomes the answer to everything in life, and we no longer need God. So people trust in money to provide life, health, security, meaning, purpose, joy, happiness, and influence. They don’t need God!
Matthew 6:24 (NIV) says, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." And so we really have a choice to make. Do we serve God or do we serve money? Do we worship God or worship the power of money? The power of money creates a false sense of security, a false sense of joy and happiness, and teaches us to trust in ourselves instead of in God.
We make incorrect assumptions about money.
We make a lot of assumptions about money. One of the biggest assumptions that we make is that money doesn’t matter, at least from a spiritual perspective. "It’s my money," we say, "and not the Church nor God almighty himself is going to have any input into my personal finances." "Money doesn’t matter," we say, "I give in other ways. I give my time. I serve in the nursery, as an usher, in the choir, and on the board. What I do with my money is of little consequence. It’s the heart that matters, not what I give or don’t give. It’s nobody's business, so back off."
"You know, I am sick and tired of churches talking about money. That’s all churches care about! Buildings. Bills. Mortgages. Programs. Missionaries. Food pantries. Women’s shelters. Is there no end? I love Jesus and that is enough. Don’t bother me anymore. Where God leads, God provides. And, God helps those who help themselves."
There is often a disconnect between our faith and our finances.
For many Christians, there is a disconnect between faith and finances. In James 2 we discover how actions and behavior reflect our true beliefs. James 2:14-17 (NIV) says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
James 4:18-24 (NIV) illustrates this principle. "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that— and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."
Faith is never a matter of talk. Abraham demonstrated his faith by laying down the most precious, most valuable thing in his possession; his one and only son, Isaac. If the talk of faith is not backed up with action, it is dead. You believe. Great. Show it! This is why in Acts 26:20 (NIV) Paul preached that both Jews and Gentiles, "should prove their repentance by their deeds." Faith is demonstrated by letting go of some lesser thing we’ve come to trust in.
John the Baptist talked about repentance and giving.
At the beginning of the gospels John the Baptist comes preaching, saying in Matthew 3:2-3(NIV), "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." But then John didn't have much credibility as a messenger. Matthew 3:4 says, "John’s clothes were made of fine silk. His food was fine cuisine and choice wine." (NOT!) What does the Bible say? Matthew 3:4 (NIV) actually says, "John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."
And what was John the Baptist's message to those who came to confess their sins and be baptized? Luke 3:10-14 (NIV) says, " 'What should we do then?' the crowd asked. John answered,'The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.' Tax collectors also came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don’t collect any more than you are required to,' he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?' He replied, 'Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.' "
After John got finished preaching the people were like, "What’s all this? Give clothing? Give food? Don’t be greedy? Don’t extort? Be content with less money? We came here for salvation, not a personal finance course! Are you the Christ? You’re not the Christ. Lord Jesus come quickly! Surely Jesus won’t talk so much about giving." The crowd was soon to learn that twenty-five percent of everything Jesus would speak about in the entire gospels concerned money and finances.
If you trust in Jesus Christ, why not trust him with your finances?
Since the key to inheriting eternal life is trusting in Jesus Christ, it makes sense that God would ask us to let go of the one thing we trust the most in:money. If you are going to repent and accept the rule of God’s kingdom in your life, you have to let go of your grip of wealth and grab hold of God’s gift.
The reason we so desperately crave wealth is because wealth brings pseudo-salvation. "I am healthier because I can afford health insurance. I am happier because I can go places and afford things." But God wants to be the focal point of our lives! He is the source of life. He is the source of joy. He is the object of our worship.
In Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (NIV) God says, "Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always." It’s impossible to get our relationship with God right if we don’t first put our relationship with money in check. Letting go of money teaches us to trust in God and to revere him.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Faith is demonstrated by letting go of some lesser thing we’ve come to trust in. If that is not money, than what is it?
Stewardship is the starting point for a life ordered by God.
Stewardship is the starting point, a first order of business for a life ordered by God. In your outline I listed five truths that should transform our generosity toward God.
Truth number one- God Exists. The key verse is Hebrews 11:6.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." By way of illustration Hebrews 11:24-27 (NIV) continues, "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."
The depth of our faith is evidenced, not in words, but in the sacrifices that we offer God.
Truth number two- God owns everything. The key verse is Psalm 50:10.
Psalm 50:9-15 (NIV) says, "I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are nine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
The depth of our faith is evidenced not in words, but by entrusting wealth back to its rightful owner. God is the source of all wealth. He gives and he takes away.
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (NIV) says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
Truth number three- God loves us. The key verse is 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV) says, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
The depth of our faith is evidenced not in words, but in living for the one who laid down his life and gave everything that we might not die in sin, but be raised again. Does Christ’s love compel you to go above and beyond the world in your generosity?
Truth number 4- God deserves it. The key verse is 1 Chronicles 29:12.
Consider David’s words as he makes preparations to build the temple. 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 (NIV) says, "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, 'Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.' "
" 'O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.' Then David said to the whole assembly, 'Praise the LORD your God.' So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king."
The depth of our faith is evidenced not in words, but in using what God has provided to bring glory to God’s name and to advance his purpose on earth.
Truth number five- God rewards. The key verse is Jeremiah 17:10.
We can never lose when we give to God. In Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV) God says, "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The depth of our faith is rewarded by our Father in heaven.
Giving to God is a test.
God isn’t interested in a plethora of words and good intentions. He seeks a demonstration of our faith. Do we trust him? Can we let go of the wealth that rivals faith in God? A tithe is ten percent. It takes just ten percent to demonstrate your faith in God. Ten percent--- week after week, year after year. The tithe teaches us to trust in the God of all wealth, to trust in our creator who is forever praised, and not to trust in created things. The tithe teaches us to look beyond the things of this world to the invisible God who is the source of life. Giving is a test.
In Malachi 3:10-12 (NIV) God says, " '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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,' says the LORD Almighty."
In modern day terms, this verse is saying that if you tithe, God will protect your possessions and your family. Your kids will not have unexpected illnesses that aren't covered by health insurance, your car will not suffer unexpected breakdowns, and your job will remain secure. God will probably not drop money out of heaven to pay your bills, but he will stretch the dollars that you have available. This is the only place in scripture where God says, "Test me." If you truly want God's blessings on your finances, you must start by first trusting God with the first ten percent of your income.