Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Ecclessiastes 5:10

We have been talking about money in order to gain a deeper understanding on how God views money and the natural resources that we have been given. Obviously, the Lord will not give more to those who squander their present resources or those who do not have the wisdom to use what they were given. Money is a powerful tool when handled properly but without the right heart, it can become a cruel master.

The Lord knew that money occupies a central position in the mind of man because his living depends on it. In order to keep money in the right perspective He addressed it in parables showing that heaven does not permit the misuse of resources nor trust any man more than he could actually know how to handle. At present, there are doctrines of demons circulating around that unless a church has more money and more people in it, they are less significant in the plan of God. This inappropriate view is fueled by money, ‘those who have more money can impact more lives.’

But God has a balance of everything, in this world, in areas where there is much poverty, the churches there have great faith and see countless miracles from duplicating biblical miracles to even resurrecting a dead man. But in areas where there is much prosperity, unbelief reigns in the hearts of the believers. Money indeed is not all the resources that we need although we need it too. It is the anointing of God and working in His plan that we need to have and do. Both Jesus and the great apostles have worked mightily accompanied by signs and wonders and countless converts that remained to be firm disciples even when this means their death. They did not shirk from flogging, stoning, imprisonments or death by crucifixion.

These even gladly gave their lives so that many more will become disciples. Talk about billions of resources, these did not have signs and billboards proclaiming that they can make miracles but their generation have become the standard of most of the churches throughout the following century. They proclaimed the gospel boldly before a predominantly pagan and immoral world where sensuality is glorified and gold is worshipped.

Indeed Jesus came to show us how to live. He is the greatest exemplary of a life well lived both in integrity of handling resources and touching the lives of others. It can be said that most of the time He went with the disciples without money but when there is a need that arises, such as in paying their taxes, He always had the answer. He instructed Peter to go and fish to pay their taxes. When food was needed to feed a multitude, He took some bits of fish and loaves and multiplied it. When someone donates to their ministry, He entrusted it to the care of Judas whom they knew to be a thief!

The Lord always tested man so that he can know him and see what is in his heart. He is also doing that today. Our attitude towards our job, business, our spouse and children tells of our attitude towards Christ. These are our natural resources that have been entrusted to us, and unless we know how to handle them well, we cannot be given more. The anointing can only abide and increase in those who know how to value the Lord’s treasures in their lives. Why would heaven give more to one who abuses his authority as an employee, father and husband? Why would heaven entrust more souls to a preacher who does not know how to disciple and shepherd them? Why would heaven give more to you if you are not cultivating your natural talents today?

In the course of our daily life, where issues on needs and wants are increasingly grabbing our attention away from God, the only shelter is to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. This is the wisdom that we need for it is “God [who] gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). We are told that those who are diligent, those who honor the Lord with their wealth and those who are humble are given wealth, honor and life (Proverbs 10:4; 22:4). The truth is one can never fully assure that because he has a high paying job or because he owns a big company, he will never go hungry. Sometimes we can be full and sometimes we are also made to be hungry. It is a delusion to think that we will never experience being abased because we have money stored in the bank. Riches can fly easily and at once your abundance is just a pretty sight, a dream last night. It is for this reason that we have cycles of being abased and being in abundance so that we can learn to be humble in all circumstances.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

Whether well fed or hungry, the most important is to be content during those situations that God puts us in. Wealth is a great blessing but it is a cruel master when we set our vision on it. The call of our lives is not to gain the money so that we can spend it according to our lust but to use it in serving God. Primarily, the wealth of the sinner that is stored for the righteous means that we use this money or other resources to be given us for reaching the nations. These are to be used in funding the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. We should not even think that money is the whole point of life.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. I Timothy 6:9-10

The path to enduring character is learning to be content in whatever situation God places us in. Our assurance that we will not take the mark of the beast is that we worship Him and give to His Kingdom. People who love this world more than God will fall; those who cannot deny themselves now won’t be able to do so in the times to come.

The love of money can be one of the ultimate idols of the human heart and those who worship it are worshiping the beast. As Christians during these days we are being admonished to use well every resource that we have for His honor and glory and that includes giving to the local church and the mission’s fund. Being entrusted with true riches requires that we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. We do not seek things to spend it for our own conceit. Then he said to them all:

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25