Money and Responsible Handling of Resources

Our series of studies would not be complete without considering the principles by which a true disciple of Jesus should be guided in the matter of responsibly and biblically handling the natural resources which God has given to each one. In this study we will consider Biblical principles that apply to the way we handle the time, money and talents we have received from God. Most of us would like more resources - more free time, more money and more abilities. God is able to give us these things - but first He is looking to see faithfulness in us concerning our handling of what we already have received. God is the Giver of Good Gifts. We should never think of God as being stingy or selfish. God is the giver of all good things. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." (James 1:17).

Copyright (C) 1996,2008 Michael Fackerell

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• A True Christian Has Given Himself and All He has to God
• Faithfulness in Money Matters
• Providing for One’s Family
• Working is Good
• Tithing
• Giving
• Honesty and Accountability
• Spending and Investing Wisely
• Receiving Prosperity
• Faithfulness with Time
• Vision and Purpose
• Diligence
• Faithfulness with Talents and Calling

Jesus told us to "Ask, and it will be given unto you. Seek and you shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7). God has even given Himself to us - in that He has given us Jesus to die for us and rise again for our salvation, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us into all the truth. And "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). God of course gives us more than we deserve. We should respond by giving God all that we are and all that we have. In fact, this we have done if we have truly turned from sin to God, and trusted wholeheartedly in Jesus for our salvation. This is part of what it means to be in blood covenant relationship with God Almighty. "You are not your own, you are bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)

God has given us minds because he wants us to be responsible managers of the many kinds of blessings He has given us. God does not like us to waste the precious resources He has given us - be it the knowledge of the gospel, money, time, talents or influence. He will require an account for what we have done (Luke 19:11- 27 especially vs 15) and there are real consequences to our actions and decisions both for this life and for the age to come. 

A True Christian Has Given Himself and All He Has to God

We see then that in giving one's life to Christ one has given not only one's eternal future but all that one has to Christ (Luke 14:33). As the body of Christ, we belong to Christ. Our bodies themselves are to be presented to God as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1). As temple of the Holy Spirit, we belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). As part of the army of God, we must listen to Jesus our commander and obey Him. As children of God, we need to be obedient. You are the spiritual child of the one you obey (see John 8:38-44; 1 John 3:6-10). As the bride of Christ, we belong to Christ, and must be cleansed and prepared for the Lord (Ephesians 5:25-27). Christ gave Himself for us - we must give ourselves to Him. We are God's field and God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9). The point is clear. We are God's and we are Christ's.We have been bought with a price and we are not our own. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). We are now the servants of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6; Luke 18:11-27; Matthew 25:14- 30; Romans 6:16; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 22:3).

It follows from this that all our time, talents and treasures belong to God. If you don't feel that this is so in your life you should know that either you are not a Christian - or you are stealing from God by wasting something that does not belong to you. Did God give you permission to use your time, money and talents for something else besides the good of His Kingdom? We are indeed responsible to give an account for all the knowledge, time, money, resources and opportunities we have had to serve God and extend His Kingdom in this life.We therefore must think of ourselves as stewards, as managers of resources that God has placed in our care. Paul saw himself in this way (1 Corinthians 4:1,2).

In the remainder of this study we will see what God has instructed us in His Word regarding the way that these resources He has given us must be managed. 

Faithfulness in Money Matters

"He who is faithful in what is least is also faithful in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own. No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:10- 13)

God is very interested in the way we handle our money. The Bible speaks a lot about money, and if we want to do the will of God it will effect the way we view and use money. Jesus here is saying that spiritual riches are the true riches - not money. Money is of lesser value than God's favour and the spiritual blessings that brings - joy, love, peace, purpose, forgiveness, ministry anointings and eternal rewards. Yet Jesus is saying that if we can't be trusted to use our money correctly - especially the money that we earn in our daily employment, then we have shown ourselves unfaithful in small things. If we are unfaithful in small things we will be unfaithful also in the great things - we will be unfaithful with spiritual blessings. Therefore learning to faithfully use our money, time and talents in the way God wants is important if we are ever going to be entrusted with spiritual responsibility in God's work. 

Providing for One's Family

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)

God, speaking through Paul, makes it clear that we have a sacred responsibility to do what we can to provide for our own household. This means that God expects us to do something for which we will receive payment, so that we can look after the needs of those in our family who cannot work to support themselves, for whatever reason. It is necessary for a husband to provide for his wife and children. This is not primarily the wife's responsibility, but the husband's. It may be necessary for the wife to do a paid job as well as her other responsibilities which are to manage the household and raise children (Titus 2:4,5), but the in the matter of providing the main responsibility falls on the husband. If a wife has been left alone with children she must work to provide for them. Children who are able to work should do so if their family's financial situation makes it necessary. In this way they honour their parents. If a person has old parents or grandparents who are struggling financially and cannot work that person should help them according to his or her ability, without neglecting other family responsibilities (1 Timothy 5:4). It is a rare case when the church finances should be used to regularly support someone (1 Timothy 5:3-16).

Anyone who refuses to work in an honest, paid position to help their starving family has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. They must repent. 

Working is Good

"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who leads a disorderly life and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labour and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to and of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)

"that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly towards those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12)

There are different kinds of work, it is true. There is manual work, administrative work, research work, business and mixtures of all. God wants us to be productive and do something beneficial for our fellow man. This is a good witness to the society we live in. Every Christian should be doing some kind of work.

The Lord's work is also work. It is not just rest. It is not just relaxing in the presence of God - although that is important. We may rest from our own works (Hebrews 4:10), but when we do the Lord's work it will also require effort. Paul worked night and day. As an apostle of Christ he was "in labours more abundant", and, "in weariness and toil" (2 Corinthians 11:23, 27). He instructs us as Christians, "Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Jesus got up early in the morning to pray alone (Mark 1:35). In this way He had power from God to serve the people - doing the work of teaching, praching, healing, casting out demons all day. At times Jesus prayed at night after a full day of ministry. (Matthew 14:23). If you are going to be a worker in God's harvest field you are going to have to work. We should rest one day in seven to regain our strength.. But it is in heaven that we will enter into complete rest and reward. Not on the earth.

Working amonst ungodly people brings us to a place where we are forced to develop character, overcoming temptations that are there. We are called to be salt and light in the community - to influence this corrupt world for God and for righteousness (Matthew 5:13-16). We should endeavour to build relationships with people based on honesty, righteousness and kindness, so that we can silence the mouths of evildoers and convince those around us at work to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord. We should invite people to come to church meetings - house groups, celebration events or special outreaches (Colossians 4:5,6). If our life demonstrates what we preach those whom we bring to Christ in this way are likely to remain with the Lord.

Working a paid job does not prevent us from doing the work of evangelism and discipleship, or from having a prayer life. We can do these things in our lunch breaks, and after hours. While we are at work we should work on the task that has been assigned to us. We shouldn't steal from our employer by taking back time which we are selling to him.

A Christian should not leave his paid work for full-time evangelism or other service unless the following conditions are met. Firstly, there must be a definite call from God to do this. Secondly, that Christian should take responsibility personally in the matter of trusting God for provision for themselves and their family. If things don't work out they should return to a normal paid job or business in society and not blame anyone except themselves. It is not right to just leave your work to serve God and then start expecting and demanding that the church or other Christians provide for you and your family. The exception to this is where a certain support or salary has been promised beforehand. We have a right to expect that Christians who make promises should fulfil them. But still every Christian must look to God as his or her source, not people. Indeed God uses people to bless us financially, but not necessarily the ones you think should be helping you. 

Tithing

I am currently reviewing my understanding of the Scriptures on this subject. Here is a link to my former teaching on tithing, which I wrote in 1996.

Tithing is taught by many pastors and teachers today as being the giving of the first ten percent of all your income to the local church congregation in which you take part. These they say, ensures that there is food in God's house - i.e. the church budget will be sufficient. In the Old Testament, tithing meant giving a tenth of something received. Abraham tithed 10% of the spoils of war to Melchizedek. There is no record that he tithed regularly at any other time, or that he tithed of his other accumulated assets. To follow Abraham's example here, which predates the law, is not what most teachers of tithing would have in mind. Jacob, Abraham's grandson, made a bargain with God that if he would bless him, he would give a tenth to God. We are not told if he did, or how he did fulfil that promise. No one was forcing Jacob to make this vow. In the Law of Moses, there were many laws about tithing. Tithes were given for parties in Jerusalem, for the upkeep of Levites, for priests, for strangers, widows and orphans. It can be argued that the tithe only applied to agricultural produce. In any case, the tithe was part of God's social welfare and temple service maintenance programme. A careful study of the Old Testament will reveal in detail what God said about tithes under the Law of Moses. The people of God in the days of Malachi were robbing God by disregarding God's commandments on tithing. They disregarded other commands about the lambs they were sacrificing as well. To dishonor God by not giving to His work as He leads, or to misspend what is given for God's Work, or to do God's work slackly, keeping the best for yourself, is also a form of robbing God. We need to be very careful about this.

Jesus affirmed to the Pharisees that they should tithe faithfully (Matthew 23:23). It is debatable if this means that Jesus said this to Christians under the New Covenant, or to Pharisees who were fulfilling part of the Law of Moses, while neglecting the weightier MATTERS OF THE LAW. Jesus called it a matter of the law, not a matter of grace.

God expects more of us under grace than under the law. Grace empowers us to do so much more. And now, as Christians, we have a wider scope for service in God's world. Something is really wrong if someone belonging to God cannot give 10% or more to God's purposes one way or the other. Now it is about far more than the maintenance of a temple in Jerusalem, or helping some people in service roles in the church. God's purposes encompass the evangelisation and discipleship of all nations. This is what needs to be financed, as well as the practical needs of those unable to properly care for themselves, such as widows and orphans. We can do MORE than give 10% of our income and wealth to these purposes, and we SHOULD, as the Lord leads. To have pastors who will pray for us, and take a leadership role in co-ordinating God's work in a local area, we need to invest resources into that. If we don't support pastors and teachers financially, then they have to get jobs and they can't devote themselves fully to prayer and the ministry of the Word. AND IF WE DON'T SUPPORT TRUE EVANGELISTS - IT IS DOUBLY LIKELY THAT WE WILL NOT BE EQUIPPED TO DO OUR MAIN JOB ON EARTH - SOULWINNING. Apart from that, if God reveals that He wants large meetings, extravagant musical praise events, and a convenient delivery platform for the messages of our spiritual leaders, as I am sure He does on many occasions, we are going to have to pay for it somehow. We just need to be sure that this is what the Lord is leading us to do by His Spirit. We certainly can't obey the commands of Christ in isolation, we have to work together in harmony and in assemblies. But we have to remember that doing these things is no substitute for fulfilling our responsibilities in the Great Commission. While we spend lavishly on our mini temples, there are millions of Christians starving in oppressed nations.

Here is a link to some very thought provoking questions written by a Ugandan believer to African pastors. I recommend you read this also.

Because many spiritual leaders pronounce that you are cursed by God if you don't tithe to your local church, you have to be very strong in your convictions if you ARE NOT going to tithe to your local church. Even if GOD does not curse you if you don't tithe to the local church, many pastors WILL pronounce that you are cursed if you don't tithe, because they believe that God is doing it also. And there is power in words, especially the words of spiritual leaders. So unless you have a clear leading from God to give in a different way, and are strong enough to resist all the attacks of the enemy that come from negative words spoken against you, I would suggest you tithe to your local church. Also if your conscience bothers you about not tithing to the local church, or if you believe that you should do it, then you MUST do it to avoid sinning unless God shows you differently, for whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23)

There might be situations in which it is impossible or impractical for you to tithe to your local church budget, but I believe that if you want to do it, and believe you should, then you can, and God will be pleased if you act in faith.

All you have belongs to God if YOU belong to God. So fear God. There are serious warnings in the Bible about misusing God's resources. I recommend you put it before God and ask Him how much he wants you to give to your local church, poor churches and Christians, orphans, widows, foreign and local missions work, evangelists and various worthwhile Christian causes. If He confirms in your heart to pay at least 10% of your gross income to the local church, just do it. Far be it from me to oppose such a leading from the Lord that you may receive. But just remember it doesn't excuse you from your responsibilities in the other areas.

The only New Testament argument concerning tithing that carries any weight for me is based on Hebrews 7:8:

"Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives."

It seems the mortal men referred to here are the levitical priests which were about to be done away with by means of the destruction of Jerusalem. However, it does say Jesus receives tithes [present tense]. So Jesus will and does receive tithes today. The question is, what did Jesus say about how to give something to him?

If we go back to the words of Jesus in Matthew 25, it was this: "Inasmuch as you've done it to THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, you've done it unto me." The way to give to Jesus food, clothing, service or valuable time is to give it to those believers who need it most, who are counted insignificant according to natural thinking. The emphais of the New Testament exhortations to giving were exhortations to give to the poor, especially widows, orphans and poor itinerant missionaries who don't take money from unbelievers. Not to mega-church pastors (the greatest).

If you disagree with what I am saying here, please comment or write to me. I will take time to read what people send. Please don't shoot the messenger though.

Giving

There is a spiritual law associated with giving. "Give and it will be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38). This principle is found also in various forms in the Old Covenant. "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." (Proverbs 11:24,25).

What this means is that God so arranges things that we sow what we reap (Galatians 6:7). If we sow material things by giving of them, God arranges things so that we in turn will receive from others - usually more than what we gave! Therefore it is smart to give into God's work as the Lord leads us, because God will arrange that somehow, in a way known to Him only, we are going to receive back the blessing we have sown and perhaps even more.

Giving is what goes beyond our tithe. The tithe belongs to the Lord, we are only paying Him what belongs to Him. Beyond that ten percent we are invited to give offerings, to give to the poor and invest in the work of the gospel.

God has a special place in his heart for the poor. Proverbs 19:17 says, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." We cannot expect the poor to pay us back (Luke 6:34,35), but God will pay us back. Some have suggested that

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