Money - Its Use And Abuse

by G.M. Hydon, Toronto, Canada | Category: Christian Problems In Today's World | Nov 1982

If the apostle Paul found it necessary, as guided by the Spirit, to write to such a godly young man as Timothy and warn him of the unhealthy appeal of money to the heart (1 Timothy 6:10), then we certainly do well to caution ourselves in its use. Is there not within all of us the tendency to think that life would be so much more comfortable if only we had just a little more money? This is one way in which a Christian can be fooled by the additional satisfaction which wealth is supposed to bring. Not so! For the Lord Jesus Christ explained to His disciples that riches are deceitful they fool us (Matt. 13:22). They can stand in the way of fruitfulness in our Christian life and at best the only thing that reliance on wealth brings is uncertainty (1 Timothy 6:17). However, it is clearly not money itself that is the culprit, but rather the motives that lie behind its use (or abuse). In fact, as we shall see, there are some very positive aspects to the use of money which we need to consider alongside the admonitions not to be involved in its abuse. We shall review the question of how a Christian is to go about acquiring money and also examine the problems associated with the ways it may be saved or spent.

Money Earned

Normally in life our initial problem with money is how to get it, or enough of it. In this respect, although the words of John the Baptist in Luke 3:12-14 were primarily addressed to soldiers, they have a real application to us all: "neither exact anything wrongfully; and be content with your wages". Such an outlook is a far cry from the apparently insatiable monetary desires of organized employers and workforces the world over. Career ambitions that have as their objective a large financial reward are a common feature of the youth of today (and yesterday). Paul, however, proposes an ambition for every Christian which is in distinct contrast to that: "Be ambitious to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your hands ... that you may walk honestly ... and may be in need of nothing" (1 Thess. 4:11 RVM). Money, then, is to be earned by the follower of Christ as an honest reward for labour.

It is interesting to note that in the parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:

11-27), although the main purpose concerns spiritual activities, commercial endeavours are envisaged. Trading is condoned, but gambling is not,

neither there nor anywhere else in God's Word. The sensible investments in worthwhile business referred to in the parable can be set in contrast to the gambler's dice or the lottery ticket (no matter if part of the lottery profits are used for some "good" cause). The Christian's guideline here is to be "not greedy of filthy lucre" (1 Timothy 3:8). If the motivation for such action is greed, then we simply should not entertain (or seek to excuse) such a practice.

As touched on above, this principle may also apply to negotiation for pay where, as Christians, we should not be found exploiting the situation (whether as employer or employee), but rather we should limit our objective to a just recompense for work done. Finally under this heading there is a danger of abusing money by placing it, or the means of obtaining it, higher on our list of priorities than time and effort spent about our "Father's business". It is sadly possible to "sell" truth that has been won personally from the Word of God by exchanging it for a position in this world's order of merit. Seniority in salary or status through time spent at the workplace instead of at church meetings is a poor trade for spiritual maturity gained through devotion to the Lord's things. Likewise, high academic honours cannot be compared to the Master's "well done" at the end of a spiritual course (2 Timothy 4:7). Experience teaches that a Christian sincerely desiring to please his Lord will be able to find 'the correct balance in these things.

Money invested

Having earned a little money, by dint of true effort, it would be easy to think of it as all our own, to be used entirely as we wished. However, the Bible teaches that use of our money is an exercise in stewardship. So it was with the servants in the parable mentioned above; each of them correctly speaks of the money as "thy pound". The unprofitable servant is condemned in this respect for letting his lord's money lie idle instead of using it to gain interest. We should remember the context of his negligence. His lord was unpopular with the masses and had left for a far country leaving no precise information about his return. Was it worth the servant's effort to put his lord's wealth to use in his absence? Any activity in the name of his absent lord would bring rebuke, Anyway, would he ever have to give account for his inactivity? Perhaps he should just keep quiet about his responsibilities, for he did not know when his lord would return. The lessons are clear. As servants of our Lord Jesus Christ the money we handle is not our own. We have a responsibility to use it wisely and for profit. Our absent Lord will soon return, and what sadness if only then we realize that

our financial negligence in frittering away our money reduced the glory that He deserved from our lives. It is suggested that such lessons can legitimately be drawn from this parable although its primary application is a spiritual one.

The writer of the Proverb caustions, however, that we should not seek "exorbitant interest" (28:8 NIV). Interest is in a sense a reward for risk and any investment of our money needs to take this into account. As Christians we need to be wise in this matter, carefully discerning the difference between a reasonable risk and a purely speculative investment. An ill considered investment made simply for a large and quick return has plenty of potential to result in a loss. And whose money is it? It is clear we should make the matter of investment of our savings a thoughtful exercise of stewardship rather than simply a means of personal enrichment.

Borrowing Money

We live in days when in many countries the effect of inflation is to rapidly reduce the value of money. Economic logic may suggest that in such circumstances it is better to "buy now and pay later". In the North American continent (and elsewhere) the use of "credit cards" is widespread; people are encouraged to buy what they cannot immediately afford and look to future income to pay off the debt. The difficulties that debt can bring are clear from several scriptures (2 Kings 4:1; Prov. 22:27; Matt. 18:30). However the cost of some items (a house, for instance) is often beyond the reach of even the assiduous saver and it may only be possible to arrange the purchase with borrowed money. Moreover, it has often been pointed out that a sum can reasonably be regarded as owed at the point it becomes due for payment. Thus, providing loan repayments are made on time it may be argued that the debtor owes only that regular repayment obligation to the creditor.

In borrowing as in many other matters to do with the Christian we have to be guided by principle in the absence of a clear precept. The principle involved in the Scriptures noted above seems clear: avoid borrowing whenever possible. Even if borrowing to purchase necessities can be justified this should obviously be done cautiously. Again, we need to question our plans and motives. How the people laughed at the man who tried to build the tower without sufficient financial planning! (Luke 14:28-30). Where borrowing is considered appropriate then the Christian needs prayerfully and carefully to consider his ability to repay. This in no way reflects a lack of faith, for faith is to be exercised within the will of God. We need therefore to see His will in what we propose to do and not proceed blindly in the hope that He will relieve us of any difficulties that arise as a result of a careless attitude on our part.

Money Given

Jim Elliott was a martyr who died in his work as an evangelist in South America. To him are attributed the words, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose". How strongly do we cling to our money? In relation to our financial giving God Himself tells us that we will reap rewards in proportion to our sowing (2 Cor. 9:6). Moreover, as discussed above, the Christian should view his possessions as part of his stewardship. Therefore using money to further the work of the Lord is merely being faithful in that stewardship. Christians, saved, baptized and added to churches of God, will have a primary responsibility in supporting financially the efforts of God's people in evangelism and testimony to the Bible truths concerning God's house. Our use of money in this way will be motivated by thoughts of the great sacrifice of our Redeemer for us. In the light of His giving, with what force do the words of Malachi (3:8) deal with any lack of generosity, "Will a man rob God? yet ye rob Me ... in tithes and offerings". While that can be sadly true the problem will clearly not be resolved by giving in a mechanical way in some strict proportion of our income. God loves a cheerful giver and values the quality as well as the quantity of our giving (see Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:2).

G.M. Hydon, Toronto, Canada | Nov 1982
Christian Problems In Today's World