IBS Tuesday February 9
Luke 3:14
Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what
shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely,
and be content with your wages.”
This verse is disheartening to me unless I read the
verse before which says “collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Being
content with your wages can be very tough but knowing that it is the amount
that is “appointed to you” is where I’ve found contentment. In any job, you
will never be paid more than your job is worth. The only healthy way to raise
your wages is to increase the quality of your work and strive for a higher
position. If you are living in a situation when you are just moving out of the
house and starting out in life, this verse is a good guideline for finances.
Right now, I am in a yearlong discipleship program,
but after this I expect that I will be starting out on my own financially. For
the things I plan on doing with my life, it’s a major challenge for me to see a
small number on my paycheck. I have ambitions, goals, and plans that require me
to go beyond the amount of money I earn. But, God shows me that I just need to
be thankful for what I have. He taught me to be thankful and have confidence
that I am at where I am at because God placed me here. There is no circumstance
that God would put me in where I had no option to be content. Being content
does not mean to become idle, it just means to accept “what is appointed for
you.” God may appoint you seemingly poor circumstances during one season and
then appoint you rich circumstances during other times. Nevertheless we are to
be content in all circumstances. In Philippians chapter 4, Paul says “I have
learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I
know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.”
The Lord is responsible for one’s wealth. He gives and
takes away. When He gives us wealth, He will give us a healthy perspective of
it. Proverbs
10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow
with it.” Having wealth without sorrow is a major blessing. Having experienced
the lifestyles of many of my wealthy friends’, I learned very quickly that
there is a lot of grief and stress that comes with being rich. Although being
rich has its many upsides, which nearly who isn’t dreams of, the downsides can
outweigh them the upside. When God is in control of your life as well as your
finances, this sorrow is lifted. You learn that these things do not last and
you cannot take them into Heaven, so you come to realize that God has blessed
you but that it is not so that you can spend it building up treasure on earth,
but in Heaven. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, “Command those who are rich in this
present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the
living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that
they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for
themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on
eternal life.” For me, realizing that God has given me an interest in money and
business, this verse is the ultimate guideline. The friends of mine who are the
happiest and most content with their wealth are the most generous ones. Those
of us who are rich are to be rich in good works, generous always, and willing
to share our blessings. With that heart, God will bless us with treasure in
Heaven while we deny ourselves that blessing on Earth.
Application: While I am in Guatemala, I have very few
worries. Financially, I am don’t have much to worry about. However, when I
return from the mission field and the time comes to leave the house of my
parents, I will have to be very intentional about my financial decisions.
Biblically, God blesses those who give, He prospers those who are diligent, and
protects those who are frugal. Today, I am going to ask God for His guidance
and a healthy perspective in the area of finances and compile a list of verses
on the subject of managing wealth.
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