Those that are sold out to the following nine myths about money would be lost in the pursuit of it:

“Money is almighty!”

“Whoever is rich can be my master!”

“Money makes the devil work for you!”

“It is more shameful to be poor than to be a prostitute.”

“Money is the means to gratify my personal desires.”

“Spending generously promotes economic growth.”

“Money is above everything!”

“Have bucks, spend bucks, without bucks, steal bucks.”

“With some money, everything is negotiable.”

God’s idea about money is: “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 23:5)

The Bible and Financial Management

“Financial Management” is a very important issue, and also a very holy calling.  Knowing how to utilize the God-given resource wisely is commendable in God’s sight. (Genesis 1:31)

Mr. Ding Chuan Chen, director of the board in Taiwan’s Ever-lasting Light Incorporation, describes his own Christian practice of ‘honesty as the best policy’ in his business deals. Once he was handed the position as the director of the board, his first policy decision is to stop the kick-back practice.  No longer does he allow his company to receive kick-backs from the suppliers. Nor does he allow his subordinates to give kick-backs to the marketing distributors.  Even though this has caused a great deal of animosities and resistance, he insisted on sticking to his principle. In his article “Biblical Teachings on Financial Management”, he shared three important passages that impacted his life:

“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. ”(Deuteronomy 8:18)

 “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath  that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'” (Genesis 14:22-23)

Management and Loyalty

Money is the best servant and the worse master.  When money is in the hand of a good master, it would become an able assistant.  On the other hand, those who allow money to run their lives would find endless troubles.  The Bible lacks no examples of those that fail in money management. To name a few, Lot, Prophet Baraam, Elisha’s servant Gehazi, Jesus’ disciple Judah,  Ananias and his wife, Thomas.

From the ancient history to contemporary days, there are good managers of money who can stand to be our role-models.

●  Martin Luther (1483~1546 AC) the great German theologian who led the Protestant Reformation once said, “It is quite alright to possess wealth, as long as one knows how to manage it and master it wisely.”

●  Saint Francis of Assisi (1182~1226 AD)’s reflection on his choice to embrace poverty is: “The less we lavish on ourselves, the more we can help others, and the richer we feel in our inner man.”

●  John Wesley (1703~1791 AD), the well-known theologian and apologist for Protestant faith thinks of finance this way: “Gain all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can.”

●  James Hudson Taylor (1832~1905AD), the British missionary who dedicated his life to China and founded China Inland Mission, uttered one resounding statement: "If I had one thousand pounds, I would not keep one from China. If I had one thousand lives, I would give all to China."

●  The world renowned tycoon, John Rockefeller (1839-1937AD) was an excellent financial manager.  He had earned a great wealth, and saved a lot, gave away generously and led an abundant life.  His secret of success was: “Do not let money enslave you.”

●  Bill Gates, the richest man in our generation reminds himself, to make good use of the limited resource he has to reach the fullest potential.  He has donated close to 60% of his net asset to education, medical needs and aids to children in the Third World.

●  The wise man Agur in the Bible prayed this prayer: “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.  ”(Proverbs 30:7-9)

Seven Proverbs on Financial Management

Regarding money, you and I need to keep a proper motive, using ethical ways to gain wealth.  Focus on what is truly valuable from God’s eyes. Make sure our investment is on things that would last.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

A person’s attitude toward his earthly possessions would reflect his real attitude toward life.  I want to suggest seven principles of money management from the standpoint of a believer:

Give back the first fruits to God.

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;  then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Do not get  ‘ill-gotten gain’

“The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. ”(Proverbs 11:1)

“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. ”(Proverbs 16:8)

Do not covet for ‘dishonest money’

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”( Proverbs 13:11)

Budget your money.

“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

Gain fortune through honesty.

“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.”(Proverbs 21:6)

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ”(Proverbs 22:1)

“Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.” (Proverbs 28:6)

Do not wear yourself out to get rich.

“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 23:4-5)

Avoid instant fortunes.

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.  A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.” (Proverbs 28:19-22)

What’s worth mentioning is: parents are to provide the daily needs of dependent children. “After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” (2 Corinthians 12:14)

Also keep in mind “though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:10)

Three Not  and Three Be

        Jesus said: “You cannot serve both God and Money.”(Matthew 6:24), and “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Today, do you have a correct perspective in regard to Financial Management, Investment Principles, guidelines on spending, purpose of saving, and measures on giving and donation? Do you understand God’s trust to you and his teachings? Do you manage what He entrusted you in good order?

        “ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.  Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. “(Ecclesiastes 5:13-15)

In our twenty five years of marriage, Shi-Duo and I have chosen to abide by the Three Not and Three Be principles in Financial Management 101. Not to expect ill-gotten gains, not to risk for instant fortunes and not be greedy for profits.  We also believe that if we desire God’s reward one day, we need to have the Three Be attitude of Financial Management: be good, be faithful, be knowledgeable. (Matthew 24:45-46, 25:21).

Remember, when you have gains, ask yourself if it has been acquired according to God’s will, pleasing to the Lord. When you spend, do not treat money like dirt.  All things come from God and only He has the authority how they should be used. Plan ahead for the future, and use earthly possessions to invest on heavenly reward. Put your stocks on the things that would have eternal values, not only for temporal riches (Luke 16:9).

        (Published on 《Touch Life》    Touch Life Mission    Touch Life    No.61    April, 2008    translated by:  Violet Chen)  

Scriptures sharing:

        “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:45-46)

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