Introduction
As a Christ follower since 1998, being in the financial planning business since 2003, and a Certified Financial PlannerTM practitioner since 2010, I’m still in awe at how much the Bible says about money. According to the book , Invested with Purpose by Arthur Ally, the Bible speaks about money over 2,000 times. That’s more than prayer and faith combined! In the New Testament, Jesus taught on money more than He taught on heaven and hell. So the question we need to ask is, ‘Why?’ ‘Why did God want to tell us so much about money, possessions, and wealth?’
Financial decisions are made on a daily basis, from small things like that impulse purchase in the grocery store line or that coffee craving as you’re driving by already late for work (Tim Horton’s for us Western New Yorkers), to the larger decisions on buying big ticket items. How we use our money (spend, save, give, invest, etc.) reveals who we are, what our priorities are, and what we value in life. Through the financial decisions we make, big or small, the condition of our heart is on display for all to view. As Jesus explains in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (New King James Version)
As this blog series on Money God’s Way continues in the future, I urge you to spend a few minutes at the end of each to reflect on the scriptures or the concepts discussed and the summary questions at the end. Identify areas that you’ve fallen short. But don’t stop there! Decide on a plan of action and ask for help if needed or ask someone you trust to hold you accountable. If you get anything out of this blog series, may it be that you’ve grown closer to God through how you view and use money. If you're not a 'church-goer', I believe you can still benefit on the very practical guidance the bible offers when it comes to finances.
Our Foundation: Ownership and Where Money Comes From
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” With the new comes a new Foundation. Our eyes are opened through His light, and we begin to see things through a Godly perspective. This new Foundation is described as a Solid Rock (Matthew 7:24). A foundation built on Solid Rock is certain. It will not shift or crack. It is stable.
When we consider our finances, it is important that we start with the Foundation; that we start at the absolutes of God’s Word and what He tells us about our finances, our money, and our possessions. Everything else is built upon this Foundation.
Ownership
In the last verse of Genesis 1, we read that “God saw everything that He made.” It is established from creation that everything was made by God. Everything originated from Him. Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein..” 1 Chronicles 29:11 says “ Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” Everything. All.
I think most believers understand this. However, our sin nature can subtly sneak in and our pride, ego, and selfishness takes center stage and we tend to start believing the lies of Satan that it’s our money, that we earned it through our hard work, and that we deserve it and can spend it how we want.
Where Money Comes From
1 Chronicles 29:12 says “Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all.”
We’re reminded in Deuteronomy 8:11-20 during prosperous times how easy it is for us to take credit for it. We attribute our own hard work and intelligence for building up our wealth. When we have these tendencies, we must heed the warning that comes to us starting in verse 18: “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm his covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
When we begin to feel that what’s ours is ours because of our own doing, we are telling God that we don’t need Him, that we are sufficient. This ushers in arrogance, egotism, idolatry, self-righteousness, and pride.
Why does God tell us so much about money?
Do I consider everything I have to be God’s?
Thoughts? Questions? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at Christopher.Hull@CeteraInvestors.com or call me at 716-707-1818.
Next in this on-going series: Our Foundation: Our Money Attitudes
The views stated in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and should not be construed directly or indirectly as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future results.