Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 09/18/2022
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: Biblical Finances Podcast
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube: Biblical Finances on YouTube
Biblical Finances
“The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Jn. 10:10
The abuse of money, or
what the Bible calls “increase” (which can be translated revenue) has caused
untold havoc in our fallen world. Empires, nations, communities, families, and
individual lives suffer under the weight of ignorance and disobedience.
Money and finances is
the number one topic of the Biblical narrative. There are 500 verses on prayer,
fewer than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,300 verses on money and
possessions, Fifteen percent of everything Jesus said had to do with it.
It is important to begin
by saying that God is indifferent regarding money. Some of His greatest agents,
like Abraham, Job and Solomon had great wealth, while others like Gideon, Amos,
and John the Baptist seemed to have meager means. Jesus Himself had, “no place to lay His head” Mt. 8:20.
The condition of the heart, and the approach to gain is far more important in
God’s economy.
“For the love of
money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which have strayed from the
faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Tim. 6:10
Tithe is a good place to
start!
At
Rock Solid Church we have always taught that tithing is to demonstrate our
victory over greed. It’s more for us than it is for God. He owns everything.
Essentially it means a tenth. It is the OT principle that acknowledges God
supplies our needs. See Deu. 26
Also read Mal. 3:8-12
New Testament
perspective.
The NT does not compel tithing, since we are free, and no
longer under the law. II Cor. 9:7, “So let each one give as he purposes in
his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This
may well exceed a tithe. Indeed, Jesus said. “...for she loved much. But to
whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Lk. 7:47. Love compels us
to give.
We also understand, from the NT that, “do you not
know...you are not your own? For you were bought at a price...” I Cor.
6:20,21 From this we draw the understanding that God owns everything, including
us, and we are stewards over our lives and His creation. A steward is an
overseer, fiscal agent, governor, and is also translated preacher.
In yet a deeper, richer sense our entire lives; all that we
have and all that we are is an offering unto God. Rom 12:1 says, “I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present you bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
And Col. 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
These are deeper than just financial principles, but life
changing truths that govern who we are in Gods’ universe, and what His
expectation of us is. I Cor. 4:7 says, “And what do you have that you did
not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had
not received it?
It is humbling to
realize that, “we bought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out.” I Tim. 6:7
The Biblical approach to finances embraces the
truth that God loves us, and we can trust Him to care for us.
Let’s close with Mt. 6:19-34, and Phil. 4:19
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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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