How To Manage Your Money With The Bible In Mind

Brittany Rust

Contributing Writer

2016

22 Jan

Take a second and study James 5:1-eleven.

Money is continually a hard topic because most people are very non-public, proud, and protecting of ways we manage our sources. I realize it's uncomfortable for me at instances. But just due to the fact some thing is tough to speak approximately would not imply we keep away from it. I am firmly satisfied that if James brought it up, then it is very critical to deal with!

Although the passage talks about wealthy human beings and a lot of us would probable no longer partner ourselves with one of these description, that is, in reality, relevant to the majority of these inside the western global. Particularly here in America, we are simply categorised to be some of the wealthiest on this planet. Indeed, all of us have sources and, consequently, can relate. In reality, the "wealthy" as James describes are those that have greater than they need to stay. Hmm, sounds quite relevant to us, huh?!

James is talking to a few humans in the church who had been wealthy but using their assets for selfish benefit. They had been spending their money on first-rate meals, clothes, and worldly possessions, at the fee of withholding wages from their personnel. Instead of the usage of their impact and blessing to assist others, they had been only serving their goals.

There is nothing incorrect with being wealthy; it is a misuse of the wealth that's an trouble. We really are blessed to be a blessing and, as a result, need to be people of giving. Maybe provide to pay the auto repair bill for a young university scholar. Someone did this for me as soon as and it become such a solution to prayer, in addition to encouraging to my religion! Maybe it is giving a portion of your profits to missions and spreading the Gospel everywhere in the international. I do not know what God can be prompting for your coronary heart but whatever it's miles, be trustworthy to it.

James maintains in verses 2-3 via stating the apparent--those matters of this earth will simplest fade, rot, and damage. There is no everlasting cost in making an investment in first-rate ingredients, clothing, and worldly possessions. Your distinctive cheeses will cross terrible. Your clothes will all either reduce, tear, or wear. The fancy automobile will destroy down sooner or later. Those $500 shoes or purse will provide out. Literally nothing lasts all the time, which is why storing up our treasures in Heaven is the exceptional use of our sources.

Furthermore, and this ought to problem you because it did me upon analyzing, is that at the give up of verse three it says "will eat your flesh like hearth." Not simplest do the things of this world fade, but along with it our character. It eats at us till it consumes everything.

So what does this need to do with endurance? In verse three the rich are admonished for laying up their treasures on Earth inside the remaining days, that means, human beings have been now not being affected person for Christ's go back however dwelling as though they'd all the time. There became no staying power associated with their way of life and it contributed to a "stay existence to the fullest" mentality.

John MacArthur observes,

“Hoarding brought about fraud, which brought about self-indulgence. Finally, that over-indulgence has fed on the rich to the point that they will do something to sustain their lifestyle.”

When we toil for advantage, then use that advantage to make a cushty life-style for simplest ourselves, it leads us down a risky direction. A route that ends in in addition toil, disobedience, and purpose. All to say, that is a lesson from James now not to be overlooked. We MUST be folks that use our assets for everlasting fee. It's ok to have a cushty home, excellent things, and a cabinet complete of groceries. God blesses us; there are numerous people within the Bible God blessed abundantly!

Here's the lowest line and the core of this blog: be clever, open, and giving of your resources. It's no longer optionally available; it's necessary.

James 5 maintains the check of affected person staying power via to verse 11, and but we've got best broken down verses 1-6. There are five verses still on staying power till the Second Coming of Christ. In fact, inside those few sentences, we study the word "till the coming of the Lord" 3 instances! That's key for us!

We are being requested to practice persistence and persistence till Christ returns. How can we do this? James offers 3 examples of endurance.

1. The farmer who waits for the crops.

2. The prophets, who suffered yet remained steadfast.

3. Job, who persisted despite the fact that all regarded in opposition to him.

Regardless of ways tons you have within the financial institution, your modern instances, and what you feel, pursue a existence that is holy and alluring to God. Spend your resources wisely. Be patient for the fruit to supply in your life. Remain steadfast in your suffering. Endure despite the fact that the world appears in opposition to you. This is your call. This is your mandate. 

One day Christ will return and it will be worth all of it to listen him say, “Well executed, exact and faithful servant.”

Questions/Thoughts

1. Take a while for real self-examination. While doing this, replicate on your very own stewardship and ask God if you can enhance on this region.

2. How would possibly you be a higher steward? Do you tithe? Could you help a person in need? 

This article originally ran on BrittanyRust.com. Used with permission.

Brittany Rust is a writer, speaker, and has the privilege of serving on group of workers at Red Rocks Church in Denver, CO. She is likewise the founder and director of Refresh Women's Event. Brittany and her husband Ryan make their domestic inside the Rocky Mountains, pursuing out of doors adventures, amazing food, and noteworthy tales collectively. Her internet site brittanyrust.com aims to supply encouraging sources for the arena-wearied believer.

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