Money - Part 4

Paul and finances

He ministered all over the known world and he never mentioned that he did not have enough money, not did he take offerings where he went.

Romans 13:7-8

“7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” ESV

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” MKJV

2 Corinthians 9:6 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." ESV

2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause." GNB

God loves a cheerful giver. It is not enough to do good things for the sake of doing good. God wants us to do things because we love Him, not because of obligation or because we are trying to score points. We cannot impress God with anything we do or give, because He is more than all of that and everything in this world already belongs to Him. 

1 Timothy 6:10 “The love of money causes all kinds of trouble. Some people want money so much that they have given up their faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.”

Note that Paul says that "the love of money", and not "money itself" is the root of evil. Money has no power in itself. Do you know that you can bring glory to God with the way that you spend your money? Have you ever thought about it like this before? Money and the way we spend it reflects what our values are and what we care about. 

Deuteronomy 8:18 "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." ESV

This shows us the balance that we are supposed to live in, we are supposed to look to God (remember Him) when we are in financial need. Now is not the time to phone the bank manager to arrange a loan or to log onto a website to apply for credit. Now is the time to go to God with your financial problems!

Hebrews 11:1,6

“1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. 6 No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.” MKJV

Romans 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. MKJV

Psalm 121 – where will my help come from? The lottery? The Bank manager?

Song:

Lord You are more precious than silver

Lord You are my costly than gold

Lord You are more beautiful than diamonds

and nothing I desire compares with You.