Do you think God says, “Show Me the money?”

God supplies us with money so we can do useful and enjoyable things with it. He gives so much freedom to us on what we do with it. Why so many have such an unhealthy attitude about money is tragic. Either we deceive ourselves by believing that money can bring satisfaction to our life, or we live under duress and burden, thinking God is demanding something from us. God’s attitude about money is best seen in a passage we already looked at.

In Acts 5 Peter is talking to Ananias stating this:

"Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God."

There was no command from God on this man, God had given him the land and left to him what he would do with it. Even after selling it, the Lord states through Peter that the money was under his control to do what he desired to do. Sadly, Ananias believed that if it appeared he gave more, the godlier he would appear to be.

God does not think that way! Instead, He has given us some clear principles, that if we follow we will have the freedom to enjoy our money. Our goal should always be - Do what is best, not what is easiest or cheapest!

{1} First Fruits!

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty,  And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 

God wants you, not your wallet. When we give to God it should be from the best of what we have, not leftovers.

{2} Planned & Committed

1 Cor. 16:1-3 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.  On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem; 

Luke 14:28-33 "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'  "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? "Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. "So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. 

When you give to God it should not be based on emotions or circumstances. That is walking by sight. We are to walk by faith, and that will lead us to pray about our wealth and plan what our gift will be.

{3} Pure Motives

Matthew 6:1-2 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. "When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 

This does not mean you can’t get tax receipts, that is a privilege God has allowed and a wise steward will include that in their planned giving. The issue here is that you never give thinking it will make you more loved by God or as more spiritual than others. Also, don’t ever give a gift to someone to make him or her indebted to you. As a Pastor I experienced this several times in my life. Sadly the reward that person got was my humble thanks, which is not much. In each case the gift had been given anonymously, and I was so humbled. The ones that had given could have enjoyed their reward from God, which is far greater than anything I could have given. Most did, and to this day I do not know who they are, but God does. A few, after I received the gift, informed me in a way that made it clear they wanted me to know that I had them to thank for it, and they got their reward right there.

When we give, we give to God, no matter who else gets it. That is how we validate our motive. I have given to folks that used the money for the wrong thing, but I never felt I had wasted the gift, because I was giving to God. They wasted the gift and will have to account for that to God.

{4} Understand the “Sow and Reap” principle.

2 Cor. 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

        

2 Cor. 8:1-2 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 

The Church in Philippi was very poor, but through prayerful faith they gave to help those in the famine, and to help the ministry of Paul. 

Philip. 4:15-17  And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account

How did the Lord use that gift for the folks in Philippi? Notice:

Philip. 4:18-19 But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.  And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Paul is letting them know, because of their generosity, God is going to supply everything they need for life! 

When we understand this principle we will never have an "It’s My Money" attitude. We also will see that when we nickel & dime God, that's what we will reap!

The interesting thing is, these principles apply to all our wealth:

Our Time – God has given all of us a wealth of time to invest our life for Him.

Our Talents – God has enabled everyone with abilities that will help us understand our purpose and destiny.

Our Treasure – God has blessed individuals with different levels of economic riches, He needs none of it. He offers us the chance to use some for our needs, other needs, His work, and our enjoyment.

Each Other – God created us to be in community, and so we need to see others as part of the wealth of our life.

Meditation: In all these areas, how are you doing? Do you enjoy your wealth and use it wisely? Do you hoard your wealth? Do you waste your wealth? God does not want to beat anybody up, He desires to lead and guide on how to use the wealth He has given you to the max! Why not take a moment and talk with Him about it.