Alright, we have been doing a little mini-series on God’s Provision and Prosperity. The reason why we are taking this little journey is because there is so much confusion, misunderstanding, and flat-out error being taught about not just the Gospel in general, but specifically God’s Provision of both Healing and Finances, that it was time for us to look at these things beyond all of opinions, ideas and man-made theologies out there, and strictly look at what the scriptures say, and what Jesus and His finished work on the cross show us regarding them.
In the first part, we laid the foundation as we looked at seeing Jesus as a provider, and how He demonstrated full provision for our spirit, soul, and body (including healing and finances).
Next, we answered the question of how to handle circumstances and situations that don’t seem very prosperous, and how God’s Provision of divine rest, can lead us out of those situations.
Now today, we are going to begin looking at some of the biggest stumbling blocks among believers today in the area of money, and what the scriptures actually show us that our perspective should be, in the light of the finished work of Christ.
This is actually going to be going to be a little series of its own, because these topics are so vital and important to understanding God’s provision for us in every area (including financial provision), that we need to do it justice by taking the appropriate time to look at these in detail, and there are so many differing opinions and ideas that need to be examined and addressed in the scriptures so that we can properly see Jesus.
The topic of money, and specifically the provision and prosperity of God has been so convoluted and confused and abused today that most people don’t even know for sure what the truth is regarding it anymore. Does God provide? Does He want us to be prosperous? For those answers I would refer you to the previous two studies that we did in these last two weeks, as we answered those questions in detail.
What we will be looking at today in this study is specifically what perspective that believers in Jesus (those of us in His New Covenant of Grace, founded on His sacrifice) should have regarding money, and as we continue in this series, we will also examine the New Covenant perspective on tithing and giving as well. These things have been great hindrances and sources of division, and error, and each Christian camp seems to have their own opinions and ideas about them.
So instead of telling you my opinion, which would just be another opinion in the murky sea of many, what we are going to do in this series, is to go through the scriptures and look at exactly what they teach regarding money, regarding tithing and regarding giving. And of-course we will be rightly diving the word of truth, by keeping focus on Jesus and His finished work as we proceed.
As we begin today, let’s start with answering some basic questions regarding money: The first of which is, Is money evil?
While this question may be simplistic, it is a very important question, because there are some Christians who believe that money is evil, unrighteous, unholy, and therefore it is better to be poor – and others believe that the reason they tithe 10% of their money is to somehow purify their money through tithing. We will address both of these positions as we look at the scriptures, and see the New Covenant that Jesus has placed us in.
The first scripture that we will start with is Genesis 13:2, because it’s a good place to begin the examination of whether money is evil or not:
“And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”
This one single verse can tell us a lot. First of all, that Abram’s riches were not only spiritual. You cannot spiritualize the description of Abram’s wealth. This verse also tells us that he was not merely rich, but very rich – exceedingly wealthy, in livestock, silver and good. Money is part of his wealth here. And later on in Genesis 24:34-35, we are made aware of how this wealth came to Abram:
Genesis 24:34-35:
“And he said, I am Abraham’s servant.
And the LORD has blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he has given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.”
So it’s clear where the wealth of Abram came from, and again notice that silver and gold is included among the many provisions that God blessed Abram with. This is important for us to see, because if money and wealth were indeed evil, then God would not have blessed Abram with it in the first place.
The scriptures are very clear on the fact that God is a good Father who gives good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17), and Jesus likewise has made it clear that He will never pull a switch on you either. (Matthew 7:9-11)
Additionally, we can see that Abram is not the only person whom God blessed with wealth. Indeed Solomon was blessed with wealth that he didn’t even ask for, in 1st Kings 3:13.
Job was blessed with wealth twice, so that his latter blessing was greater than his former blessing.
(See a related study on why Job suffered, and why it will never happen to you today)
And there are more than this. We can read in Proverbs 10:22 that the blessing of the LORD makes rich, and He does not add sorrow to it. So it’s a type of riches that can be freely enjoyed, unlike those in the world who seem to have great wealth, but are utterly depressed and have sorrow on the inside of them so that they cannot fully enjoy what they have. God wants us to enjoy the prosperity He gives to us, according to Ecclesiastes 5:18-19; and it is the LORD that gives you the power to get wealth, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:18. In-fact it is even mentioned in Proverbs 13:22, that the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just.
So with this abundance of scripture, we can safely conclude that money in and of itself is not evil, and in-fact riches and wealth are actually a blessing from God in many cases. A gift from your generous loving Father to His beloved children.
With that said, there are a few warnings in scripture regarding how we are to view (or not view) money.
In Proverbs 23:4-5, we see this very wise warning:
“Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom
Will you set your eyes on that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
The word “labor” there is the Hebrew word תִּיגַע, meaning wearisome, toilsome work, and it’s in the present continuous tense – so it’s referring to continual toil, constantly working yourself to exhaustion. This scripture here says not to do that in order to get rich – do not chase money at the expense of your own health and peace.
This isn’t giving you permission to be a slacker, or to do a half-hearted job; rather it is advising you not to constantly pound yourself to utter exhaustion simply to gain wealth. The world tells us that we constantly need to work-work-work to get ahead and all of that – and the advice of the world makes sense to our natural thinking, but that is why the second-half of verse 4 is there: cease from your own wisdom. There is a greater wisdom which takes precedence, and that is the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus.
Consider the words of Proverbs 8:18-21:
“Riches and honor are with me; yes, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment:
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”
Notice here that unlike the riches mentioned in our previous verse of Proverbs 23:5, that make wings and fly away (in other words they are fleeting and very temporary), we can see here that the riches gained through the wisdom of Christ are durable. They endure and remain, and they are accompanied by the durable righteousness of Christ as well! These riches and this righteousness of Christ, are the type that endures and remains, and cannot be lost, or stolen, or taken away; and they are only attained through the free gift of His Grace (Romans 8:32, 2nd Peter 1:3, 1st Corinthians 1:30, et al.)
And make no mistake here my friend, this is referring to both spiritual and physical riches. Both are included in this blessing. Notice that the wisdom of Christ will cause us to bear fruit – which is even better than silver or gold; we know that this is a reference to the many fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5, and what the Spirit produces in us is always of the very highest value and quality.
That being said, let us also see that the scriptures are not squeamish about mentioning the physical riches and blessings either. Because we can also see that the wisdom of Christ will also cause us to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
I encourage you my friend to not shy away from this. If it was evil or wrong then God would not give it as a gift and blessing in Christ! Notice that He will cause you to inherit substance (that is life and existence) It is a reference to the very life of Christ Himself, and being made new creation in Him… that must come first. But notice also the second-part – do not cut the blessings of God short because He also says, I will fill their treasures. This is the physical aspect of riches being spoken of here – this is not spiritual. The spiritual has already been mentioned previously, and now we are dealing with physical, material treasure. The Hebrew word for treasures used here is אוֹצָר, and it is consistently used throughout all of scripture to refer to physical material wealth, riches, possessions and money. Please don’t simply take my word for this, study it for yourself, and see the goodness and generosity of God – even regarding financial and material blessings! Because your Heavenly Father wants you to see this as well!
God is the one who promises to fill your treasures. Isn’t that interesting… We should remember that God is Himself extremely rich both spiritually and physically as well. Again, please do not simply take my word for it, God Himself says it in Psalm 50:10-12, and Haggai 2:8.
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell you: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.”
(Psalm 50:10-12)
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the LORD of hosts.”
The reason that this is important is to set forth a simple point of logic… If material wealth was somehow evil or ungodly, or a hindrance, then God would be poor! But He tells us here that He is rich! Both spiritually and physically.
Now please understand my intention and heart, as well as God’s intention and heart in telling you this. I am not promoting avarice here – I’m not advocating greed. We’re going to study New Covenant giving soon in this series – but what I am saying, and why God makes mention of His physical generosity and blessing in finances here, is because many of us have become so squeamish and afraid of the idea of prosperity, that we in essence negate all of God’s financial blessings just to avoid the error – and that in and of itself is another form of error! God is rich! And we should be glad that He is rich, because we have not been born into a poor kingdom or a poor household! Our God and our Father doesn’t just have a generous nature, He also he the resources to be generous as well! And he will cause you to be the same way!
The scriptures say in 1st Timothy 6:10 that the “love of money” (Greek φιλαργυρία, greedy for things) is the root of all evil.
However simply enjoying God’s provision is not evil at all, Remember that He wants you to enjoy each and every aspect of His generous provision, including material wealth. (Ecclesiastes 5:19), and it is He you gives you the power to get it (Deuteronomy 8:18). Now we know and understand what this power is, and where it comes from. It is His Holy Spirit, and it comes through His New Covenant of Grace.
So in conclusion today, the New Covenant perspective on money, is one of thankful abundance, marked by divine peace and confidence in Christ. Knowing that your heavenly Father is Himself rich with both spiritual and physical riches, and that He rejoices in blessing you spiritually and physically as well, because you are part of His kingdom, and His family.
Be sure to join me again next week, as we continue by examining the New Covenant perspective on tithing and giving.
Be blessed.