LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Feb. 29: Financial wisdom for financial managers_22304

Posted: 2/19/04

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Feb. 29

Financial wisdom for financial managers

Selected Proverbs

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

“Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust.” Those words from Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. remind us money cannot be trusted for happiness but should be invested in the Lord's work, other people and Christ's service.

Families, churches and benevolence organizations have faced a crisis the last two years. Job layoffs have unsettled the economy. Corporate greed has led to business decline and has unnerved the economy, diminished personal portfolios and decreased discretionary income available to provide for charitable needs. National and family debt add daily pressure to the family life of paying bills, buying groceries and keeping up with the mortgage payment.

Proverbs provides financial wisdom for financial managers. His wisdom centers on the diligence of work, the wise management of financial resources, the heart of generosity and the ability to trust God in the area of finances.

Methodist John Wesley once said, “Make all you can, save all you can and give all you can.” When it comes to spiritual wisdom in the area of finances, proverbial wisdom challenges the believer to think of God first, then the wise management of resources so that money does not manage you but you manage money.

Start with God

Paul challenged the church at Corinth to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Long before Paul challenged the church, he asked them to consider three things: (1) God's sufficiency, not their own (2 Corinthians 3:5-6); (2) God's ability to do new things in the lives of his servants in the context of his compelling love (2 Corinthians 5:14, 17); (3) his servants work by his grace as faithful stewards of the mystery of Christ (2 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

In essence, any thought of managing personal finances and giving starts with God in the heart, soul and mind. God invites his people to a way of righteousness and promises the fruit of righteousness to those who faithfully serve him (Proverbs 11:30; 12: 28).

Work

When we start with God, we understand the importance of faithfulness in stewardship. Such faithfulness implies a strong ethic of work and diligence. Proverbs compares the diligent person to an ant (Proverbs 6:6-11). The Christian steward is not lazy, prepares for the future and understands that in labor there is profit (14:23). A steward responsibly disciplines himself or herself to profit not for profit's sake or merely to accumulate wealth, but to responsibly take care of job and family finances and to give cheerfully as Paul admonished the Corinthian church. Laziness produces waste for the lazy person and encourages waste (18:10). The person who wisely manages finances will be diligent to work hard.

Money?

The Apostle Paul said the love of money is the root of all evil (2 Timothy 6:10). Mark Twain once put a humorous spin on that verse when he said, “The lack of money is the root of all evil.” Paul was truly right and Mark Twain was not too far off either. Debt, financial worries and overspending present themselves as three challenges most families face today.

Proverbs warns against debt that strangles the emotions, causes constant family conflict and produces serious bondage from the borrower to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Debt often proves a controversial topic. Debt was a reality in both Old Testament and New Testament times.

The writer of Proverbs warns against debt that overextends itself and debt that generates bondage of financial pressure. Obviously, most people have debt–a home mortgage or a car payment at the very least. Simple financial wisdom acknowledges two things: (1) the less debt you have and the less you owe others, the better off you are financially; (2) as a Christian, the less debt you owe, the more money you have to give to the Lord's work through his church and to minister to others. Those who start with God in their finances always give to God first but search for ways to reduce their debts in an effort to minister above and beyond.

Generously

Paul begged the church to give generously, not with a grudge or simply of duty (literally, “of necessity,” 2 Corinthians 9:7). Wise Christian stewards give in a spirit of joy; not with a tight fist, but with an open hand. They give out of grace. They give graciously and generously. Their eye actually watches for needs and ways to give for God's glory (Proverbs 22:9). Giving blesses them and others.

The writer of Proverbs speaks to the heart of generosity. The person who scatters seed increases. The person who gives liberally and freely shall be made fat. The person who waters others shall be watered (11:24-25). Give and it shall be given to you in an abundance of blessing (literally, “running over,” Luke 6:38). These Proverbs also sound like Paul: What a man or woman sows, he or she also reaps (Galatians 6:7-10). Give generously and experience the joy of giving.

Question for discussion

What is the secret to being a cheerful giver?