Financial Wisdom - Relating Finances and Spirituality

I was going through some old notebooks and found this. I think it is from one time when I spoke at a ladies retreat at church, although there is no date on it. I think this is something we need to be reminded of in regards to finances, so I wanted to share it here.

Wealth
As humans, we tend to relate money to wealth, along with possessions like houses, cars, clothes, etc.

Wealth is actually an extension of your personality. It can be used creatively - spreading the gospel or building up churches... it can be wasted on frivolous activities. It can be corruptive and it can be destructive. But ultimately wealth is entrusted to us by God. God gave us wealth not only for us to advance His kingdom, but for our enjoyment as well.

Proverbs 10:22 - The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Blessings from God are not burdens. Many times when someone receives a financial blessing they may not credit it to God. Then, it is easy to let the world dictate how to use that money because it is seen as coming from the world.

Attitude
We know that ultimately when we die everything will be left behind. Why do so many people struggle to accumulate possessions to the point of obsession??

God is not interested in our ability to accumulate material possessions. Particularly if they become idols. He will provide.

Matthew 6:19-20 -  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

Proverbs 11:28 - He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

God is concerned only with our attitude. God doesn't care how much money we have or don't have, and our amount of money in the bank doesn't affect our relationship with Him. But our attitude can affect our relationship with Him.

We as Christians are supposed to trust God in every aspect and I think money is one area we are always a little terrified to hand over control.

One thing to remember - it is not wealth or money itself that is moral or immoral. There are plenty of dishonest poor people and plenty of dishonest rich people!

1 Timothy 6:17 - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

Proverbs 11:4 - Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Does God condemn the wealthy? No:

Psalm 8:6 - Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.

What attitude should we have?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

How does God define the real danger of money?

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 19:23 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.