“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I Peter 2:9)
This light of His shows itself among believers in Christ in many ways – our love for one another, a desire to give, to see the lost saved and pursuing righteousness are a few. To be called into His light as a special people includes managing our finances.
Take a look at the contrasts below of the world’s viewpoint and what is written in God’s Word:
The world’s mentality is to work as little as possible to get by… God’s Word urges us that “Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.” It continues on to say we will receive an inheritance of a real reward from the Lord. (Colossians 3)
Most people believe to get all you can for yourself… but God says to first honor Him with tithes and offerings, in Proverbs 3:9 it is written to “Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income”. Then we also give gifts unto others (Luke 6:38), and in return gifts will be given back unto us.
The mindset of many is to live and spend for today… however the Bible instructs us to consider well the state of our finances (Proverbs 27:23-24), and that we should spend less than we make – found in Proverbs 21:20, “There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.”
And finally, the world feels the need to use all of your credit available… instead the Word has enlightened us to “Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another” (Romans 13:8).
If you find it a struggle to follow God’s Word for your finances, consider how you trust the Lord to be true to His Word regarding your salvation. Now realize that all of this wisdom came from one source – the Word spoken from God who created the universe and has always existed. He is able to see everything as it truly is and sheds His light on it to us.
Psalms 119:105 says “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
