Today I want to speak directly to my Christian brothers and sisters. And more than just an educational post, I want to start a conversation.
I want you to meditate on the topic and I want to hear your opinions on this topic which has been on my heart and mind for a few weeks.
And here is the topic: as Christians, how can we balance the focus on our financial wellness here on earth with the heavenly and eternal purposes God has for us?
First of all, I want to affirm that I have not changed my stance on the importance of achieving the control over our money. How critical it is to learn to live on less than we make, to save money, to get out of debt, to have a plan for financial victory.
I have not changed my mind and my opposition to the idea that “money is evil and wealth is not God’s plan for us.”
There is more than enough evidence in the Scriptures to show that God rejoices in blessing His people with material wealth. This is true, even though that’s not the only or the primary way in which God takes care of His people.
But the issue that has concerned me lately is this, how as a Christian I can balance temporal and eternal priorities, and how that is reflected in my money management.
How do I best take care of the money god has put in my hands?
And for me, the best way to find that balance is to search the Scriptures. For example, let’s look at this passage in Matthew:
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
What do you think the Lord is telling us? That we should not have savings or investments? That all the money we earn should go to the church, a 100%?
I don’t think that’s the case. I believe Jesus is speaking about priorities. Is it our priority the advancement of His kingdom or the advancement of our kingdom?
Are we more worried about what we are going to eat, what we will wear, what we will get to do tomorrow, than making sure the gospel is preached to every creature on earth?
We are talking about earthly priorities vs. heavenly priorities. Hear what the message from the apostle Paul to the Colossians:
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
So I believe Paul is helping us to really understand the issue. Every day we can get distracted with all of those things that cause us to worry.
Not only money distractions, but also work priorities, family issues, relationships, fun activities, etc.
And that happens. It happens to me every day. That’s because we are used to deal with the tangible, the immediate, with what we can see. But all of that is temporary.
As Christians, the battle to put God’s priorities at the top of our list is a daily one. It is a challenge to maintain our spiritual priorities every single day.
Still, we should remember that God’s priorities are eternal.
However, I don’t want to leave you with a guilty feeling or without hope. What I want to do is to make you think and make me think about that elusive balance between the temporary and the eternal.
If are our hearts and intentions are right, we can achieve the financial victory and we can also glorify God with our money management.
The important thing is not let money become an idol in our lives that replaces Christ as Lord of our lives.
Our finances, just like everything else in our Christian lives, should be used to advance God’s priorities.
So yes, it is important to reach financial wellness. Once we get there, we should think about the best way of glorifying Christ in how we use what He has given us.
Let’s take care of our families. Let’s plan so we don’t have to depend on the government or anyone else. Let’s use money to help others in need.
Let’s also make sure that as far us is concerned, our churches have the resources needed to complete their mission.
And every day, let’s include this question in our daily prayers:
Question: Lord, how do You want me to use Your money today to advance Your kingdom?
